WSR 19-16-139
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-176—Filed August 6, 2019, 3:44 p.m., effective August 26, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: August 26, 2019.
Purpose: This emergency rule will allow nontreaty commercial fishing opportunities in the Columbia River while protecting fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule 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 Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-358-03000C; and amending WAC 220-358-030.
Other Authority: United States v. Oregon, Civil No. 68-513-KI (D. Or.), Order Adopting 2018-2027 United States v. Oregon Management Agreement (February 26, 2018) (Doc. No. 2607-1). 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: Sets the 2019 fall select area commercial seasons. Impacts to nonlocal stocks are expected to be minimal and local Chinook stocks reared for the select area sites are available for harvest. 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. Regulation is consistent with the compact action of July 30, 2019. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted at the 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: August 6, 2019.
Nate Pamplin
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-358-03000DColumbia River seasons below Bonneville.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-358-030, WAC 220-358-040, and WAC 220-358-050, it is unlawful for a person to take or possess salmon, sturgeon, and shad for commercial purposes from Columbia River Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and Select Areas, except during the times and conditions listed below:
(1) Tongue Point/South Channel
(a) Dates: Monday and Wednesday nights August 26–29, 2019.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights September 2 – October 25
Open Hours: 7 PM – 7 AM through September 6 and 4 PM – 10 AM thereafter
(b) Area: The Tongue Point Select Area is defined as waters of the Columbia River bounded by a line from a regulatory marker on the eastern shore of Tongue Point (midway between the red USCG light "2" at the tip of Tongue Point and the northern-most pier (#8) at the Tongue Point Job Corps facility) to the flashing green USCG light "3" on the rock jetty at the northwest tip of Mott Island, a line from a regulatory marker at the southeast end of Mott Island northeasterly to a regulatory marker on the northwest shore of Lois Island, and a line from a regulatory marker located on the Oregon shore approximately 300 yards northwest of the railroad bridge crossing the John Day River projecting easterly to a regulatory marker on the southwest shore of Lois Island.
(i) If the marker on the eastern shore of Tongue Point is not in place, the downstream boundary is defined by a line projecting from a point (46°12'31.1"N latitude 123°45'34.0"W longitude) on the eastern shore of Tongue Point to the flashing green USCG light "3" on the rock jetty at the northwest tip of Mott Island.
(ii) If the marker on the Oregon shore is not in place, the upstream boundary is defined by a line projecting from a point (46°10'57.7"N latitude 123°44'35.3"W longitude) on the Oregon shore approximately 300 yards northwest of the railroad bridge crossing the John Day River projecting easterly to a regulatory marker on Lois Island.
The South Channel Area is defined as waters of the Columbia River bounded by a line from a regulatory marker on the Oregon shore at John Day Point projecting northeasterly to a regulatory marker on the southwest shore of Lois Island, and a line from a regulatory marker on Settler Point projecting northwesterly to the flashing red USCG light "10" then projecting westerly to the eastern tip of Burnside Island.
(c) Gear: Gillnets with a 6-inch maximum mesh size restriction. Maximum net length of 250 fathoms.
In the Tongue Point Select Area, the lead line weight may not exceed two pounds per any one fathom; however, unstored gillnets legal for use in South Channel may be onboard.
In the South Channel Select Area, there is no lead line weight limit and attachment of additional weight and anchors directly to the lead line is permitted.
(d) Allowable Sales: Salmon (except Chum), white sturgeon, and shad. A maximum of three white sturgeon with a fork length of 44-50 inches may be possessed or sold by each participating vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday).
(e) Miscellaneous: Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(2) Blind Slough/Knappa Slough Select Area
(a) Dates: Monday and Wednesday nights August 26–29, 2019
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights September 2 – October 25
Open hours: 7 PM – 7 AM through September 6 and 6 PM – 10 AM thereafter.
(b) Area:
The Blind Slough Select Area is defined as waters of Blind Slough and Gnat Creek from a north-south line represented by regulatory markers at the mouth of Blind Slough upstream to a regulatory marker in Gnat Creek located approximately 0.5 miles southeasterly (upstream) of the Barendse Road Bridge.
The Knappa Slough Select Area is defined as waters of Knappa Slough, Calendar Slough, and Big Creek Slough bounded to the north (upstream) by a line projecting from a regulatory marker on the eastern shore of Karlson Island to the northernmost regulatory marker at the mouth of Blind Slough and bounded to the west (downstream) by a line projecting southerly from a regulatory marker on the southwestern tip of Karlson Island through regulatory markers on the western tips of Minaker Island to a marker on the Oregon shore.
The waters of Knappa Slough within a 100-foot radius of the railroad bridge crossing Big Creek are closed.
(c) Gear:
Gillnets with a maximum mesh size restriction of 9 3/4-inch through September 6, and a 6-inch maximum thereafter. Maximum net length is 100 fathoms. There is no lead line weight limit and attachment of additional weight and anchors directly to the lead line is permitted.
(d) Allowable sales: Salmon (except Chum), white sturgeon, and shad. A maximum of three white sturgeon with a fork length of 44-50 inches may be possessed or sold by each participating vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday).
(e) Miscellaneous: Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(3) Deep River Select Area
(a) Dates: Monday and Wednesday nights during August 26-29, 2019.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights September 2–21
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights September 23–27
Monday and Wednesday nights during September 30-October 3
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights October 7–18
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights Oct. 21–Nov. 16
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights November 18–further notice.
Open hours: 7 PM – 7 AM August 26-29, 6 PM – 9 AM September 2 to November 2, and 5 PM – 8 AM thereafter
(b) Area: The Deep River fishing area includes all waters from West Deep River Road Bridge at the town of Deep River downstream to the mouth defined by a line from USCG navigation marker #16 southwest to a marker on the Washington shore.
(c) Gear: Gillnets. Maximum mesh size restriction is 9 3/4-inch through September 7, and a 6-inch maximum thereafter. Maximum net length is 100 fathoms. No weight restriction on leadline. Use of additional weights or anchors attached directly to the leadline is allowed. No nets can be tied off to stationary structures. Nets may not fully cross the navigation channel. It is unlawful to operate in any river, stream, or channel any gillnet gear longer than three-fourths the width of the river, stream, or channel. "River, stream, or channel width" is defined as bank-to-bank, where the water meets the banks, regardless of the time of tide or the water level.
(d) Allowable sales: Salmon (except Chum), white sturgeon, and shad. A maximum of three white sturgeon with a fork length of 44-50 inches may be possessed or sold by each participating vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday).
(e) Miscellaneous: Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(4) The white sturgeon possession and sales limit includes all open Select Area fisheries.
(5) 24-hour quick reporting is in effect for Washington buyers WAC 220-352-315. Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(6) Multi-Net Rule: Nets not specifically authorized for use in these areas may be onboard a vessel if properly stored (WAC 220-358-010(2)).
(7) Lighted Buoys: Nets that are fished at any time between official sunset and official sunrise must have lighted buoys on both ends of the net unless the net is attached to the boat. If the net is attached to the boat, then one lighted buoy on the opposite end of the net from the boat is required.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed August 26, 2019:
WAC 220-358-03000C | Columbia River seasons below Bonneville. (18-124) |