WSR 98-05-089

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Filed February 18, 1998, 10:24 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-01-174.

Title of Rule: To adopt WAC 232-28-273 Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and permit quotas.

Purpose: To adopt WAC 232-28-273 Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and permit quotas.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.

Summary: The WAC specifies hunting season dates, permit quotas and unit descriptions for all special species for the 1998 hunting season.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Consolidation and establishment of special species hunting seasons and regulations into one WAC.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Ron Swatfigure, Assistant Director, Enforcement, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

Name of Proponent: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule establishes limited entry moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and regulations to provide recreational opportunity while conserving special species resources of Washington.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not affect small business.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Doubletree Hotel, 1225 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, phone (509) 663-0711, on April 3-4, 1998, at 8:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by March 25, 1998, TDD (360) 902-2207, or (360) 902-2267.

Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Evan Jacoby, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, FAX (360) 902-2940, by March 25, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: April 3, 1998.

February 18, 1998

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

NEW SECTION

WAC 232-28-273 Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and permit quotas

1998 Moose Permit Hunts

Who May Apply: Anyone with a valid 1998 Washington hunting license; except those who drew a moose permit previously in Washington State. Only one moose permit will be issued during an individual's lifetime. (Waived for Mt. Spokane youth hunt)

Bag Limit: One moose of either sex, except antlerless only for Mt. Spokane Youth Hunt.

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Hunt Permit Permit Hunt Special 1998

Name Season Boundary Description Restrictions Permits

Selkirk Mtns. Oct. 1-Nov. 30 GMU 113 Any Legal Weapon 12

Mt. Spokane Oct. 1-Nov. 30 GMU 124 Any Legal Weapon 10

Mt. Spokane Youth Only Oct. 1-Nov. 30 GMU 124 Any Legal Weapon 4

49 Degrees North Oct. 1-Nov. 30 GMU 117 Any Legal Weapon 13

Three Forks Oct. 1-Nov. 30 GMU 109 Any Legal Weapon 3

Hangman Oct. 1-Nov. 30 GMU 127, 130 Any Legal Weapon 1

1998 Mountain Sheep (Bighorn) Permit Hunts

Who May Apply: Anyone with a valid 1998 Washington hunting license; except those who drew a bighorn permit previously in Washington State. Only one bighorn sheep permit will be issued during an individual's lifetime.

Bag Limit: One bighorn ram.

Hunt Permit Permit Hunt Special 1998

Name Season Boundary Description Restrictions Permits

Vulcan Mountain Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 2 Any Legal Weapon 1

Tucannon River Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 3 Any Legal Weapon 1

Selah Butte Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 4 Any Legal Weapon 2

Umtanum Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 5 Any Legal Weapon 2

Cleman Mountain Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 7 Any Legal Weapon 2

Mt. Hull Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 10 Any Legal Weapon 1

Lincoln Cliffs Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 12 Any Legal Weapon 1

Quilomene Sept. 15-Oct. 10 Sheep Unit 13 Any Legal Weapon 1

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Mountain (Bighorn) Sheep Units:

Sheep Unit 2 Vulcan Mountain: Permit Area: Ferry County north of the Kettle River.

Sheep Unit 3 Tucannon River: Permit Area: The Tucannon River drainage in Columbia and Garfield counties.

Sheep Unit 4 Selah Butte: Permit Area: That part of Yakima and Kittitas counties between Ellensburg and Yakima east of the Yakima River and north of Selah Creek, west of Interstate 82 and south of Interstate 90.

Sheep Unit 5 Umtanum: Permit Area: That part of Yakima County north of Wenas Creek, east of USFS Road 1701, Manastash Lake and drainage, west of Yakima River and that part of Kittitas County south of Manastash Creek and west of the Yakima River.

Sheep Unit 7 Cleman Mountain: Permit Area: That part of Yakima County south of Wenas Creek and east of USFS Road 1701, north of Highway 410 and Highway 12 and west of the Yakima River.

Sheep Unit 10 Mt. Hull: Permit Area: That part of Okanogan County within the following described boundary: Beginning at Oroville; then south along U.S. Highway 97 to the Swanson's Mill Road (old Mt. Hull Road) near Lake Andrews; then east to the Dry Gulch Road; then north to the Oroville-Toroda Creek Road (Molson Grade Road); then west to Oroville and the point of beginning.

Sheep Unit 12 Lincoln Cliffs: Permit Area: That part of Lincoln County north of Highway 2.

Sheep Unit 13 Quilomene: Permit Area: GMUs 329 and 330.

1998 Mountain Goat Permit Hunts

Who May Apply: Anyone with a valid 1998 Washington hunting license.

Bag Limit: One (1) adult goat of either sex with horns four (4) inches or longer. WDFW urges hunters to refrain from shooting nannies with kids. Permit hunters may start hunting Sept. 1 with archery equipment.

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Hunt Permit Permit Hunt Special 1998

Name Season Boundary Description Restrictions Permits

Mount Chopaka Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 2-1 Any Legal Weapon 1

Methow Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 2-2 Any Legal Weapon 5

Naches Pass Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 3-6 Any Legal Weapon 3

Bumping River Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 3-7 Any Legal Weapon 2

Tieton River Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 3-9 Any Legal Weapon 3

Blazed Ridge Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 3-10 Any Legal Weapon 6

Kachess Ridge Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 3-11 Any Legal Weapon 1

East Ross Lake Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 4-8 Any Legal Weapon 5

Jack Mountain Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 4-9 Any Legal Weapon 2

Foss River Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 4-32 Any Legal Weapon 5

Pratt River Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 4-34 Any Legal Weapon 5

Corral Pass Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 4-38 Any Legal Weapon 4

Tatoosh Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 5-2 Any Legal Weapon 5

Smith Creek Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 5-3 Any Legal Weapon 3

Goat Rocks Sept. 13-Oct. 31 Goat Unit 5-4 Any Legal Weapon 7

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Mountain Goat Units:

Goat Unit 2-1 Mount Chopaka: Permit Area: Okanogan County within the following described boundary: Beginning where the Similkameen River crosses the Canadian boundary near Mt. Chopaka; then south down the Similkameen River and up Palmer Lake and Sinlahekin Creek to Toats Coulee Creek; then west up Toats Coulee Creek and north up the North Fork Toats Coulee Creek; then up Snowshoe Creek to Snowshoe Mountain; then north to the Canadian boundary; then east along the Canadian boundary to the Similkameen River and point of beginning; except closed in T39N, R25EWM, which includes Grandview Mountain.

Goat Unit 2-2 Methow Area: Permit Area: Okanogan County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the Town of Twisp, westerly along the Twisp River Road (County Road 4440) to Roads End; west up the Twisp Pass Trail 432 to Twisp Pass and the Okanogan County line; northerly along the Okanogan County line through Washington Pass to Harts Pass; southeast down Harts Pass (Road 5400) to Lost River; then along the Lost River-Mazama Road to Mazama; then southwest to State Highway 20; then southeasterly along State Highway 20 to Twisp and the point of beginning.

Goat Unit 3-6 Naches Pass: Permit Area: Yakima and Kittitas counties within the following described boundary: Beginning at Chinook Pass; then north along the Pacific Crest Trail to Naches Pass; then east to USFS Road 19 and continuing to State Highway 410; then west along State Highway 410 to Chinook Pass and point of beginning.

Goat Unit 3-7 Bumping River: Permit Area: Yakima County within the following described boundary: Beginning at White Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail; then north to Forest Trail 980; then north to USFS Road 18; then north to State Highway 410; then east to State Highway 12; then west along State Highway 12 and back to point of beginning; except Timberwolf Mountain, which is closed.

Goat Unit 3-9 Tieton River: Permit Area: Yakima County within the following described boundary: Beginning at White Pass and Pacific Crest Trail; then south to the Yakima Indian Reservation Boundary; then east to USFS Jeep Trail 1137; then west to USFS Road 1070-578 Spur; then west to Road 1000; then north to USFS Road 12; then north to State Highway 12; then west on State Highway 12 to point of beginning.

Goat Unit 3-10 Blazed Ridge: Permit Area: Kittitas and Yakima counties within the following described boundary: Beginning at the mouth of Cabin Creek on the Yakima River; then west along Cabin Creek to the headwaters near Snowshoe Butte; then south along the Cascade Crest separating the Green and Yakima river drainage to Pyramid Peak; then southeast along the North Fork, Little Naches, and Naches River to the Yakima River; then north along the Yakima River to the mouth of Cabin Creek and point of beginning.

Goat Unit 3-11 Kachess Ridge: Permit Area: Kittitas County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the mouth of the Kachess River on the Yakima River; then north along the Kachess River and Kachess Lake to USFS Road 4600; then east on USFS Road 4600 to the Cle Elum River; then south along the Cle Elum River and Lake Cle Elum to the Yakima River; then northwest along the Yakima River to the mouth of the Kachess River and point of beginning.

Goat Unit 4-8 East Ross Lake: Permit Area: Whatcom County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the point the U.S.-Canada boundary meets the east boundary of North Cascades National Park; then south along the park boundary to Stetattle Creek; then south down Stetattle Creek to Gorge Lake; then southwest along Gorge Lake to State Highway 20; then east and north along State Highway 20 to Ross Dam; then north along the east shoreline of Ross Lake (Note: Exclude Ruby Arm) to Devil's Creek; then east up Devil's Creek to a tributary extending south to ridge line between Jerry Lakes and a pinnacle of Jack Mountain (7,292 ft. elevation); continue south over this ridge line into the Crater Creek Basin and Crater Creek; then down Crater Creek to its confluence with Ruby Creek; then east up Ruby Creek to Granite Creek; then continue east up Granite to the Cascades Summit; then north along the Cascades Summit to the U.S.-Canada boundary; then west along the Canadian line to the east boundary of North Cascades National Park and the point of beginning. (Notice: Jack Mountain not included in Goat Unit 4-8, East Ross Lake. See description for Goat Unit 4-9, Jack Mountain.)

Goat Unit 4-9 Jack Mountain: Permit Area: Whatcom County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the confluence of Ruby Creek and Crater Creek; then north up Crater Creek to the ridge line between Jerry Lakes and a pinnacle of Jack Mountain (7,292 ft. elevation); continue due north to Devil's Creek; then west down Devil's Creek to Ross Lake; then south along the east shoreline of Ross Lake to Ruby Arm; then easterly up Ruby Arm and Ruby Creek to the confluence of Crater Creek and the point of beginning.

Goat Unit 4-32 Foss River: Permit Area: King and Snohomish counties within the following described boundary: Beginning at intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and the King County line at Stevens Pass; then south along the King County line to the headwaters of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near Dutch Miller Gap; then west and south down said river to the confluence with the Dingford Creek; then north and east up said creek to its headwaters intersection with USFS Trail 1005; then north up said trail to Little Myrtle Lake; then west and north to Marlene Lake (approximately 4 miles); then north down the stream outlet from Marlene Lake to the junction with USFS Trail 1002 near Dorothy Lake; then north along said trail to the junction with the East Fork Miller River headwaters; then north down said river to the confluence with the South Fork Skykomish River; then east up said river to the junction with U.S. Highway 2; then east along said highway to the point of beginning.

Goat Unit 4-34 Pratt River: Permit Area: King County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the point where the Weyerhaeuser Mainline Truck Road intersects the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River (near the confluence of the North Fork and Snoqualmie Rivers); then northeast up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie to its headwaters near Dutch Miller Gap at the King County line; then south along the King County line to Snoqualmie Pass and the intersection with Interstate 90; then west along Interstate 90 to the point nearest the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River (approximately one mile east of North Bend); then north and east up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River and to the point of beginning. Except closed: Snoqualmie Mountain and the watersheds of Denny Creek and South Fork of the Snoqualmie above Denny Creek.

Goat Unit 4-38 Corral Pass: Permit Area: Pierce County within the following described boundary: Beginning where Goat Creek intersects the Corral Pass Road; then southeast up Goat Creek to the Cascade Crest; then north along the Crest to USFS Trail 1188; then northwest along said trail to USFS Trail 1176; then north along said trail to Corral Pass; then west along Corral Pass Road to its intersection with Goat Creek and the point of beginning.

Goat Unit 5-2 Tatoosh: Permit Area: Lewis County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the junction of the southern Mount Rainier National Park Boundary and State Highway 123; then south along State Highway 123 to U.S. Highway 12; then southwest along said highway to Skate Creek Road (USFS Road 52); then northwest along said road to the junction of Morse Creek Road (old road to Longmire Campground); then north along said road to the Mount Rainier National Park Boundary; then east along the southern park boundary to the point of beginning.

Goat Unit 5-3 Smith Creek: Permit area: Lewis County within the following described boundary: Beginning at the Town of Randle; then east along U.S. Highway 12 to USFS Road 21; then southeast along USFS Road 21 to USFS Road 22; then northeast and northwest along USFS Road 22 to USFS Road 23; then east and northwest on USFS Road 23 to USFS Road 25; then north along USFS Road 25 to Randle and point of beginning.

Goat Unit 5-4 Goat Rocks: Permit Area: Lewis County south of the White Pass Highway (U.S. Highway 12) and east of the Johnson Creek Road (USFS Road 1302).