[Order 25-75—Filed May 8, 2025, 9:10 a.m., effective May 9, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: May 9, 2025.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open spring Chinook harvest opportunity in the Columbia River downstream of Highway 730 at the Washington/Oregon border.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050 and 220-312-060.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

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: This emergency rule extends the 2025 spring recreational salmon and steelhead season in the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point upstream to the Washington/Oregon border, including shad. Additionally, this rule aligns the Deep River salmon and steelhead daily limit with the mainstem Columbia River when the mainstem is open. Endangered Species Act (ESA) impacts for wild fish are available to recreational fisheries in order to access hatchery fish. 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. This regulation is consistent with Washington state action and compact action on May 7, 2025. The general public welfare is protected with the immediate and limited-duration opening of recreational salmon fishing. This limited harvest allows for public use of the resource as well as the maintenance of a sustainable fish population.

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 court order sets the current parameters. 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). Some salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River are listed as threatened or endangered under ESA. On February 23, 2018, 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 2018-2027 U.S. v. Oregon management agreement. Some Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead stocks are listed as threatened or endangered under ESA. The Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions (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, 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. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent rules.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

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 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

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 7, 2025.

WAC 220-312-03000DFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.

Effective May 9 through May 22, 2025, the provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding Deep River salmon and steelhead seasons shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-030 not addressed in this section remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

Deep River (Wahkiakum Co.): Salmon and steelhead:

Daily limit is 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

WAC 220-312-06000JFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia.

Effective May 9 through May 22, 2025, the provisions of WAC 220-312-060 regarding Columbia River salmon and steelhead seasons from Rocky Point to Hwy. 730 at the Washington/Oregon border, and shad seasons from the mouth to the Bonneville Dam, shall be modified as described in this section, except in areas closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead year-round in WAC 220-312-060. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-060 not addressed in this section remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

(1) From a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through red buoy 44 to the red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon Bank upstream to a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock.

(b) Shad: Effective May 9 through May 15, 2025: No min. size. No daily limit.

(2) From a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam:

(a) Salmon and steelhead: Effective May 9 through May 22, 2025: Daily limit is 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-cast lines from shore.

(b) Shad: Effective May 9 through May 15, 2025: No min. size. No daily limit. Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-cast lines from shore.

(3) From Bonneville Dam to Tower Island power lines (approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam): Salmon and steelhead:

(a) Effective May 10 and May 13, 2025: Daily limit is 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-cast lines from shore.

(4) From Tower Island power lines to The Dalles Dam: Salmon and steelhead:

Effective May 10 and May 13, 2025: Daily limit is 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

(5) From a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approx. 1300' upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington southern shore located approx. 200' above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy 730 at the Washington/Oregon border: Salmon and steelhead:

Effective May 10 through May 13, 2025: Daily limit is 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

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.