Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to allow nontreaty recreational fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while protecting fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule making implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes, federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon, and Washington fish and wildlife commission policy guidance for Columbia River fisheries.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900U; and amending WAC 232-28-619.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

     Other Authority: United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2008-2017 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (Aug. 12, 2008) (Doc. No. 2546); Northwest Gillnetters Ass'n v. Sandison, 95 Wn.2d 638, 628 P.2d 800 (1981); Washington fish and wildlife commission policies concerning Columbia River fisheries; 40 Stat. 515 (Columbia River compact).

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

     Reasons for this Finding: Extends the 2013 spring recreational salmon season in the Columbia River in the area from Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam. An additional six retention days have been adopted beyond the scheduled closure date of April 5, 2013. Catch rates to date have been less than expected, so hatchery chinook remain available for harvest. Maintains the adjustment to the hatchery adult bag limit in Deep River so that it is consistent with the adjacent Columbia River when both areas are open. Prohibits full removal of nonlegal fish from the water. Sand Island Slough closure remains in effect through April 30. Regulation is consistent with guidance from Washington fish and wildlife commission and director, and compact/joint state action of January 30 and April 3, 2013. The fishery is consistent with the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement and the associated biological opinion. Conforms Washington state rules with Oregon state rules. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.

     Washington and Oregon jointly regulate Columbia River fisheries under the congressionally ratified Columbia River compact. Four Indian tribes have treaty fishing rights in the Columbia River. The treaties preempt state regulations that fail to allow the tribes an opportunity to take a fair share of the available fish, and the states must manage other fisheries accordingly. Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969). A federal court order sets the current parameters for sharing between treaty Indians and others. United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2008-2017 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (Aug. 12, 2008) (Doc. No. 2546).

     Some Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead stocks are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal ESA. On May 5, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a biological opinion under 16 U.S.C. § 1536 that allows for some incidental take of these species in treaty and nontreaty Columbia River fisheries governed by the 2008-2017 U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement. The Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions have developed policies to guide the implementation of such biological opinions in the states' regulation of nontreaty fisheries.

     Columbia River nontreaty fisheries are monitored very closely to ensure compliance with federal court orders, the ESA, and commission guidelines. Because conditions change rapidly, the fisheries are managed almost exclusively by emergency rule. Representatives from the Washington (WDFW) and Oregon (ODFW) departments of fish and wildlife convene public hearings and take public testimony when considering proposals for new emergency rules. WDFW and ODFW then adopt regulations reflecting agreements reached.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: April 4, 2013.

Philip Anderson

Director

     1. Columbia River:

     a. Effective immediately through April 12, 2013, except closed April 9: Open for fishing for salmonids and shad from a true north-south line through Buoy 10 upstream to 600 feet downstream of the fish ladder at the new Bonneville Dam powerhouse (#2). However, closed to fishing from boats upstream of Beacon Rock (defined as a deadline marker on the Oregon bank, located approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse #1, projecting a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock). Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery Chinook or hatchery steelhead), of which no more than 2 may be adults and no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all wild Chinook and wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches.

     b. Effective immediately through May 5, 2013: Open to fishing from the Tower Island power lines in Bonneville Pool (located approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to the Oregon and Washington border, plus the Washington bank between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines (except for those waters closed under permanent regulations). Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery Chinook or hatchery steelhead), of which no more than 2 may be adult Chinook salmon or hatchery steelhead, or 1 of each. Release all wild Chinook and wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches.

     c. Effective immediately until June 15, 2013: For the mainstem Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to the Oregon/Washington border, it is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration, to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.

     2. Deep River (Wahkiakum Co.): Effective immediately through June 15, 2013: the hatchery adult Chinook daily limit will be the same as the adjacent mainstem Columbia River during those days when the mainstem Columbia River is open for adult Chinook retention. When the adjacent mainstem Columbia River is closed for adult Chinook retention, the salmon daily limit will revert to permanent rules for Deep River.

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     Reviser's note: The unnecessary underscoring in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

WAC 232-28-61900U

Exceptions to statewide rules -- Columbia River. (13-24)