WSR 15-06-012 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-32—Filed February 20, 2015, 3:42 p.m., effective February 20, 2015, 3:42 p.m.] Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to provide for treaty Indian fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while protecting salmon 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 and federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-32-05100S and 220-32-05100T; and amending WAC 220-32-051.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.130, 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: Opens the treaty winter fishery for commercial sales to Washington wholesale buyers and the public. The Columbia River treaty tribes have delayed the use of gillnets in SMCRA 1F until February 23, however sales of fish caught with platform/hook and line gear in that area is allowed (as described in section 2c). The Dalles and John Day pool[s] are expected to continue through February 24 based on past catch rates and current catch guidelines. Harvestable sturgeon are available under the current harvest guidelines for each pool. The season is consistent with the 2008-2017 management agreement and the associated biological opinion. Rule is consistent with action of the Columbia River compact on January 28 and February 19, 2015. Conforms state rules with tribal rules. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent regulations.
The Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Indian tribes have treaty fishing rights in the Columbia River and inherent sovereign authority to regulate their fisheries. Washington and Oregon also have some authority to regulate fishing by treaty Indians in the Columbia River, authority that the states exercise jointly under the congressionally ratified Columbia River compact. Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969). The tribes and the states adopt parallel regulations for treaty Indian fisheries under the supervision of the federal courts. A court order sets the current parameters. 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 salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River 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 the fisheries as described in the 2008-2017 U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement.
Columbia River fisheries are monitored very closely to ensure consistency with court orders and ESA guidelines. Because conditions change rapidly, the fisheries are managed almost exclusively by emergency rule. As required by court order, the Washington (WDFW) and Oregon (ODFW) departments of fish and wildlife convene public hearings and invite tribal participation when considering proposals for new emergency rules affecting treaty fishing rights. Sohappy, 302 F. Supp. at 912. 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 2; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2; 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 2.
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: February 20, 2015.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-32-05100T Columbia River salmon seasons above Bonneville Dam.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-32-050, WAC 220-32-051, WAC 220-32-052 and WAC 220-32-058, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful for a person to take or possess salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch taken for commercial purposes in Columbia River Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 1F, 1G, and 1H. However, those individuals possessing treaty fishing rights under the Yakima, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce treaties may fish for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch under the following provisions:
(1) Open Areas: SMCRA 1G and 1H (The Dalles Pool and John Day Pool):
(a) Season: Immediately through 6:00 p.m. February 24, 2015.
(b) Gear: Gill nets, hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook and line. No mesh restriction on gillnets.
(c) Allowable sale: Salmon, steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch. Sturgeon between 43-54 inches in fork length in SMCRA 1G and 1H may be sold or kept for subsistence. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required.
(2) Open Areas: SMCRA 1F (Bonneville Pool):
(a) Season: Immediately through 5:59 a.m. February 23, 2015.
(b) Gear: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook and line.
(c) Allowable sale: Salmon, steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch. Sturgeon may not be sold. Sturgeon between 38-54 inches in fork length in SMCRA 1F may only be kept for subsistence. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required.
(3) Open Areas: SMCRA 1F (Bonneville Pool):
(a) Season: 6:00 a.m. February 23 through 6:00 p.m. March 21, 2015.
(b) Gear: Gill nets, hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook and line. No mesh restriction on gillnets.
(c) Allowable sale: Salmon, steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch. Sturgeon between 38-54 inches in fork length in SMCRA 1G and 1H may be sold or kept for subsistence. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required. Fish caught during the open period may be sold after the period concludes.
(4) 24-hour quick reporting is required for Washington wholesale dealers for all areas as provided in WAC 220-69-240, except that all landings from treaty fisheries described above must be reported within 24-hours of completing the fish ticket (not 24-hours after the period concludes).
(5) Fish caught during the open period may be sold after the period concludes.
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:
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 6:01 p.m. March 21, 2015:
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