EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: July 9, 2011, 12:01 a.m.
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. 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: The closure date for retention of sturgeon was adopted because Washington and Oregon fish managers estimate that the harvest guideline of two thousand fish has been reached. Closing the fishery on July 9 is the soonest action can be taken and still allow the agencies to provide at least twenty-four-hour notice to anglers. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 8, 2011.
Philip Anderson
Director
(1) Effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to retain sturgeon caught in those waters of the Columbia River and tributaries from John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam.
(2) Effective immediately until August 31, 2011, it is unlawful to fish for or possess sturgeon in those waters of the Columbia River upstream from a line crossing the Columbia from Navigation Marker 82 on the Oregon shore through the upstream exposed end of Skamania Island, continuing in a straight line to a boundary marker on the Washington shore.
(3) Effective immediately, until further notice, it is unlawful to retain white sturgeon caught in those waters of the Columbia River from the mouth upstream to the Wauna powerlines, and all adjacent Washington tributaries, except a person may retain white sturgeon through July 31, 2011. Minimum size when open to retain white sturgeon in this area is 41 inches fork length through July 31, 2011.
(4) Effective July 9, 2011, until further notice, it is unlawful to retain sturgeon caught in those waters of the Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 232-28-61900M | Exceptions to statewide rules--Columbia River sturgeon. (11-135) |