EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: May 27, 2011.
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 232-28-61900M; and amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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 lower Columbia River to boat angling for salmonids from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam boat deadline. Reopens the area from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border for salmonid retention. Harvestable fish remain available based on the inseason upriver spring chinook run size forecast (213,400 fish) and harvest guidelines. Stipulates that the hatchery adult chinook bag limit in Deep River is consistent with the adjacent Columbia River when both areas are open. Include rules that prohibit filleting of fish in the field and full removal of nonlegal fish from the water. Regulation is consistent with guidance from Washington fish and wildlife commission and director and joint state action of May 13 and May 25, 2011. 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 Endangered Species Act. 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: May 26, 2011.
Philip Anderson
Director
1. Columbia River:
i. Effective May 27 through June 15, 2011: From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam (except for those waters closed under permanent regulations): Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery Chinook or hatchery steelhead or sockeye), 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. Sockeye count toward the daily adult salmonid limit. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches.
ii. Effective May 28 through June 2, 2011: From Tower Island power lines in the Bonneville Pool upstream to the Oregon and Washington border, plus the Washington bank between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines located approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam (except for those waters closed under permanent regulations): Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery Chinook or hatchery steelhead or sockeye), of which no more than 2 may be adults. Release all wild Chinook and wild steelhead. Sockeye count toward the daily adult salmonid limit. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches.
iii. Effective immediately through June 15, 2011: 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.
iv. Effective immediately until further notice: On the mainstem Columbia River, salmon and steelhead anglers may not possess in the field fish mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined until anglers have reached their automobile or principle means of land transportation and have completed their daily angling.
2. Deep River (Wahkiakum Co.): Effective immediately through June 15, 2011: 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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The following section of the Washington Administrative
Code is repealed effective May 27, 2011:
| WAC 232-28-61900M | Exceptions to statewide rules -- Columbia River. (11-99) |