WSR 16-12-035 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-118—Filed May 24, 2016, 4:49 p.m., effective May 25, 2016, 6:00 a.m.] Effective Date of Rule: May 25, 2016, 6:00 a.m.
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 220-32-05100U; and amending WAC 220-32-051.
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: Allows the sale of fish caught in Zone 6 Columbia River tribal fisheries with gillnets. Continues to allow sales of fish caught with platform and hook and line gear and the sale of fish caught in Yakama Nation tributary fisheries when open under Yakama Nation regulations. The area downstream of Bonneville Dam (SMCRA 1E1) remains closed to sales of fish. The upriver spring Chinook has been updated to 180,000 fish, and harvestable fish are available to the treaty tribes. 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 May 10 and 24, 2016. 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 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 24, 2016.
Ron Warren
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-32-05100V 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 Yakama, 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 1F, 1G, and 1H (Zone 6):
(a) Season: 6:00 AM May 25 through 6:00 PM. May 27, 2016.
(b) Gear: Gill nets with no mesh restriction.
(c) Allowable sale: Salmon, steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch. Sturgeon may not be sold. Sturgeon from 43 to 54 inches fork length in The Dalles and John Day Pools and sturgeon from 38 to 54 inches fork length in the Bonneville Pool may be kept for subsistence. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required.
(d) All sanctuaries for this gear type are in effect, except Spring Creek.
(2) Open Areas: SMCRA 1F, 1G, and 1H (Zone 6):
(a) Season: Immediately through June 15, 2016.
(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 from 43 to 54 inches fork length in The Dalles and John Day Pools and sturgeon from 38 to 54 inches fork length in the Bonneville Pool may be kept for subsistence. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required.
(d) Closed areas applicable to platform gear are in effect.
(3) Columbia River Tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam:
(a) Season: Immediately until further notice, and only during those days and hours when the tributaries listed below are open under lawfully enacted Yakama Nation tribal subsistence fishery regulations for enrolled Yakama Nation members.
(b) Area: Drano Lake, Wind River and Klickitat River.
(c) Gear: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook-and-line. Gill nets may only be used in Drano Lake.
(d) Allowable Sales: Salmon, steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, or yellow perch. Sturgeon between 38-54 inches fork length harvested in tributaries within Bonneville pool may not be sold but may be kept for subsistence purposes only. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required.
(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 typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. 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 effective 6:00 a.m. May 25, 2016:
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