Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-02-096.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 232-28-333 Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions--Region 3.

     Hearing Location(s): Comfort Inn and Conference Center, 1620 74th Avenue S.W., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 596-9100, on April 7-8, 2006, at 8:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: April 7, 2006.

     Submit Written Comments to: Attn: Wildlife Program Commission Meeting Public Comments, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, e-mail Wildthing@dfw.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2162, by Monday, March 24, 2006.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nancy Burkhart by April 5, 2006, TTY (360) 902-2207 or (360) 902-2267.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: GMU boundary rules define legal hunting areas. GMUs require readily discernable boundaries to direct hunters to appropriate hunting areas. The change will allow the department to implement two different harvest strategies for deer in two different locations in the current GMU 381 and will also make the boundary for GMU 368 easier to distinguish. Adding GMU 388 to this WAC will better facilitate a management shift for deer in this GMU.

     GMU 381 will be divided into two new GMUs to better deal with deer harvest and deer management in Franklin and Adams counties. Clarification language has been added to the boundary description for GMU 368 to make that boundary easier to discern. GMU 588 will be renumbered as GMU 388 and added to this WAC.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Two separate harvest strategies are being used to manage the deer populations in GMU 381. Splitting the existing GMU into two separate GMUs will better facilitate those different hunting season structures. GMU boundary descriptions that are clearly understood and easily confirmed on the ground, reduces the number of unintentional hunting violations. The proposed boundary language move for GMU 388 will facilitate the administration of a new management strategy for deer in this GMU.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.047.

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

     Name of Proponent: Washington fish and wildlife commission, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules regulate recreational hunters and do not directly regulate small business.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not hydraulics rules.

March 1, 2006

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

GMU 328-NANEUM (Kittitas and Chelan counties):

Beginning US Hwy 97 and US Forest Service Rd 9716 at Blewitt (([Blewett])) Pass; E on US Forest Service Rd 9716 to US Forest Service Rd 9712 (Liberty-Beehive Rd); E on US Forest Service Rd 9712 (Liberty-Beehive Rd) to the Naneum Ridge (Chelan-Kittitas county line) at the west boundary of Section 22, T21N, R19E; SE along the Naneum Ridge (Chelan-Kittitas county line), past Mission Peak, to Naneum Ridge Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 9) at Wenatchee Mountain; SE on Naneum Ridge Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 9) to Colockum Pass Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 10); S on Colockum Pass Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 10) to the Highline Canal (North Branch Canal); NW along the Highline Canal (North Branch Canal) to Lower Green Canyon Rd; S on Lower Green Canyon Rd to US Hwy 97; N on US Hwy 97 to Blewett Pass and the point of beginning.

GMU 329-QUILOMENE (Kittitas and Chelan counties):

Beginning on the Columbia River at the mouth of Tarpiscan Creek; E from Tarpiscan Creek to the Douglas-Kittitas county line on the Columbia River; S along the Columbia River (Douglas-Kittitas county line) to a point north of Cape Horn; S from the Columbia River (Douglas-Kittitas county line) to Cape Horn; S up Cape Horn to its rim; SE along the top of Cape Horn and the rim of the West Bar Cliffs (cliffs overlooking West Bar) to WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.14; E along WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.14 to WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.17; S along WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.17 to WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14 rear gate; S on WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14 to Tekison Creek; SE along Tekison Creek its mouth on the Columbia River; E from Tekison Creek to the Grant-Kittitas county line on the Columbia River; S along Columbia River (Grant-Kittitas county line) to I-90 bridge at the town of Vantage; W along I-90 to Highline Canal (North Branch Canal); N on Highline Canal (North Branch Canal) to Colockum Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 10); N on Colockum Rd to North Fork Tarpiscan Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 10.10); E on North Fork Tarpiscan Rd to Tarpiscan Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14); S on Tarpiscan Rd (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14) approximately 100 feet to Tarpiscan Creek; E down Tarpiscan Creek to its mouth on the Columbia River and the point of beginning.

GMU 330-West Bar (Kittitas County):

Beginning on the Columbia River at Cape Horn; S up Cape Horn to its rim; SE along the rim of Cape Horn and West Bar Cliffs (the cliffs overlooking West Bar) to WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.14; E along Rd 14.14 to WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.17; S along WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14.17 to WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd 14 near the gate; S on WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Rd. 14 to Tekison Creek; SE down Tekison Creek to its mouth on the Columbia River; E from Tekison Creek to the Kittitas-Grant county line on the Columbia River; N and W along the Columbia River (Kittitas-Grant then Kittitas-Douglas county lines) to a point north of Cape Horn; S from the aforesaid point in the Columbia River to Cape Horn and the point of beginning.

GMU 334-ELLENSBURG (Kittitas County):

Beginning on US Hwy 97 and Lower Green Canyon Rd; N on Lower Green Canyon Rd to Highline Canal; N, E and S along Highline Canal to I-90 and the Yakima Training Center boundary; S and W along the Yakima Training Center boundary to I-82; N on I-82 to Thrall Rd; W on Thrall Rd to Wilson Creek; S down Wilson Creek to Yakima River; N up Yakima River to Umptanum Rd; S up Umptanum Rd to the South Branch Extension Canal; W on South Branch Extension Canal to Bradshaw Rd; W on Bradshaw Rd to the elk fence; N along the elk fence to Taneum Creek; NE down Taneum Creek to the Yakima River; NE down the Yakima River to Thorp Hwy; NW along the Thorp Hwy to SR 10; SE on SR 10 to US Hwy 97 junction; N on US Hwy 97 to Lower Green Canyon Rd and point of beginning.

GMU 335-TEANAWAY (Kittitas County):

Beginning at I-90 and US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) at Snoqualmie Pass; N on US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary; E on the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary to the Chelan-Kittitas county line; E on US Forest Service Trail 1226 to US Hwy 97 at Blewett Pass; S on US Hwy 97 to SR 10; N and W on SR 10 to Thorp Hwy; SE on Thorp Hwy to Yakima River; SW up the Yakima River to Taneum Creek; SW up Taneum Creek to I-90; W on I-90 to US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) at Snoqualmie Pass and the point of beginning.

GMU 336-TANEUM (Kittitas County):

Beginning at US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) and I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass; E on I-90 to Taneum Creek; W up Taneum Creek to the south fork of Taneum Creek; W up the south fork of Taneum Creek to US Forest Service Trail 1367; W on US Forest Service Trail 1367 to US Forest Service Trail 1363; S on US Forest Trail 1363 (Peaches Ridge Trail) to US Forest Service Trail 1388; W on US Forest Service Trail 1388 to US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) to Blowout Mountain; N on US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) to I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass and the point of beginning.

GMU 340-MANASTASH (Kittitas County):

Beginning at I-82 and SR 821; N on SR 821 to SR 823 (Harrison Rd); W on SR 823 (Harrison Rd) to Yakima River; N up Yakima River to Umtanum Creek; W up Umtanum Creek to Ellensburg-Wenas Rd; W and S along Ellensburg-Wenas Rd to North Fork Wenas Rd (Audubon Rd, W5000); NW along North Fork Wenas Rd to Barber Springs Rd; W on Barber Springs Rd to US Forest Service Trail 4W694; NW on US Forest Service Trail 4W694 to US Forest Service Trail 4W307; NW on US Forest Service Trail 4W307 to US Forest Service Trail 1388; NW on US Forest Service Trail 1388 to US Forest Service Trail 4W306; NW on US Forest Service Trail 4W306 to US Forest Service Trail 1388 at Quartz Mountain; NW along US Forest Service Rd 1388 to US Forest Service Trail 1363 (Peaches Ridge Trail); N and E along US Forest Service Trail 1363 (Peaches Ridge Trail) to US Forest Service Trail 1367; SE along US Forest Service 1367 to South Fork Taneum Creek; E down the South Fork Taneum Creek to Taneum Creek; E down Taneum Creek to the elk fence; SE along the elk fence to Bradshaw Rd; E on Bradshaw Rd to South Branch Extension Canal; SE along the South Branch Extension Canal to Umtanum Rd; N on Umtanum Rd to Yakima River; S down the Yakima River to Wilson Creek; NE up Wilson Creek to Thrall Rd; E on Thrall Rd to I-82; SE and SW on I-82 to SR 821 and the point of beginning.

GMU 342-UMTANUM (Kittitas and Yakima counties):

Beginning at US Forest Service Rd 1701 and Barber Springs Rd (WA Dept. of Natural Resources Rd W5000) at T17N, R15E, NE 1/4 of Section 12; SE on Barber Springs Rd to the North Fork Wenas Rd (Audubon Rd); SE on the North Fork Wenas Rd to Wenas-Ellensburg Rd; NE on Wenas-Ellensburg Rd to Umtanum Creek; E down the Umtanum Creek to the Yakima River; S down the Yakima River to I-82; SE on I-82 to US Hwy 12 at the city of Yakima; NW on US Hwy 12 to SR 410; NW on SR 410 to US Forest Service Rd 1701; N on US Forest Service Rd 1701 to Barber Spring Rd-US Forest Service Trail 4W694 intersection and the point of beginning.

GMU 346-LITTLE NACHES (Yakima and Kittitas counties):

Beginning at US Forest Service Rd 1388 and US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) at Blowout Mountain; SE on US Forest Service Rd 1388 to US Forest Service Trail 4W306; SE on US Forest Service Trail 4W306 to US Forest Service Trail 1388; SE on US Forest Service Trail 1388 to US Forest Service Trail 4W307; SE on US Forest Service Trail 4W307 to US Forest Service Trail 4W694; E on US Forest Service Trail 4W694 to US Forest Service Rd 1701 (T17N, R15E, NW 1/4 of Section 12); S on US Forest Service Rd 1701 to SR 410; NW and SW on SR 410 to US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) near Chinook Pass; N on US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) to US Forest Service Rd 1388 at Blowout Mountain and the point of beginning.

GMU 352-NILE (Yakima County):

Beginning on the Bumping Lake Rd and SR 410; E and S on SR 410 to the Lower Nile Loop Rd; W and N on the Lower Nile Loop Rd to US Forest Service Rd 1500; W on US Forest Service Rd 1500 to US Forest Service Rd 1502 (McDaniel Lake Rd); W on the US Forest Service Rd 1502 (McDaniel Lake Rd) to Rattlesnake Creek; N down Rattlesnake Creek to the North Fork of Rattlesnake Creek; W up the North Fork of Rattlesnake Creek to US Forest Service Trail 973 (Richmond Mine Rd); N on US Forest Service Trail 973 (Richmond Mine Trail) to US Forest Service Rd 1800 (Bumping Lake Rd); N on the US Forest Service Rd 1800 (Bumping Lake Rd) to SR 410 and the point of beginning.

GMU 356-BUMPING (Yakima County):

Beginning on US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) and SR 410 at Chinook Pass; NE on SR 410 to US Forest Service Rd 1800 (Bumping Lake Rd); SW on the US Forest Service Rd 1800 (Bumping Lake Rd) to US Forest Service Trail 973 (Richmond Mine Rd); SE on US Forest Service Trail 973 (Richmond Mine Rd) to the north fork of Rattlesnake Creek; SE down the north fork of Rattlesnake Creek to US Forest Service Rd 1502 (McDaniel Lake Rd); SE on US Forest Service Rd 1502 (McDaniel Lake Rd) to US Forest Service Rd 1500; S on US Forest Service Rd 1500 to US Hwy 12; W on US Hwy 12 to US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) at White Pass; N on the US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) to SR 410 at Chinook Pass and the point of beginning. (Lands within the boundary of Mt. Rainier National Park along the Pacific Crest Trail are not open to hunting.)

GMU 360-BETHEL (Yakima County):

Beginning on SR 410 and the Lower Nile Loop Rd; SE on SR 410 to US Hwy 12; SW on US Hwy 12 to US Forest Service Rd 1500; N and E on US Forest Service Rd 1500 to Nile Loop Rd; SE on Nile Loop Rd to SR 410, southeast of the town of Nile, and the point of beginning.

GMU 364-RIMROCK (Yakima County):

Beginning on US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) and US Hwy 12 at White Pass; E on US Hwy 12 to US Forest Service 1302 (Jump Off Rd) at Windy Point; SW on US Forest Service 1302 (Jump Off Rd) to US Forest Service Trail 1127, southeast of the Jump Off Lookout; SW on US Forest Service Trail 1127 to US Forest Service Rd 613; SW on US Forest Service Rd 613 to US Forest Service Rd 1020; SW on US Forest Service Rd 1020 to US Forest Service Rd 615; SW on US Forest Service Rd 615 to US Forest Service Trail 1136; SW on US Forest Service Trail 1136 to its southernmost point; W from US Forest Service Trail 1136 to Spenser Point; NW on the Yakama Indian reservation boundary from Spenser Point to the US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail); N on the US Forest Service Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) to US Hwy 12 at White Pass and the point of beginning.

GMU 368-COWICHE (Yakima County):

Beginning on US Hwy 12 to US Forest Service Rd 1302 (Jump Off Rd) at Windy Point; NE and SE on US Hwy 12 to I-82; NW on I-82 to the Yakima River; S down the Yakima River to Ahtanum Creek; W up Ahtanum Creek to the south fork of Ahtanum Creek; SW up the south fork of Ahtanum Creek to its junction with Reservation Creek; SW up Reservation Creek ((to its headwaters)) and the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary to the main divide between the Diamond Fork drainage and Ahtanum Creek drainage; N along the crest of the main divide between the Diamond Fork drainage and the Ahtanum Creek drainage to Darland Mountain; NE on US Forest Service Trail 615 to US Forest Service Rd 1020; NE on US Forest Service Rd 1020 to US Forest Service Rd 613; NE on US Forest Service Rd 613 to US Forest Service Trail 1127; NE on US Forest Service Trail 1127 to US Forest Service Rd 1302 (Jump Off Rd), SE of the Jump Off Lookout Station; NE on US Forest Service Rd 1302 (Jump Off Rd) to US Hwy 12 and the point of beginning.

GMU 371-ALKALI (Kittitas and Yakima counties):

Beginning at the Vantage Bridge where I-90 crosses the Columbia River; S down the Columbia River (Kittitas-Grant and Grant-Yakima county line) to the Priest Rapids Dam; NW on the southern shore of the Columbia River (Priest Rapids Lake) to the Yakima Training Center boundary; S and W along the Yakima Training Center boundary to the main gate on Firing Center Rd; W along Firing Center Rd to I-82; N along I-82 to Yakima Training Center boundary at Vanderbuilt Gap; N and E along the Yakima Training Center boundary to I-90; E on I-90 to the Vantage Bridge on Columbia River and the point of beginning.

GMU 372 RATTLESNAKE HILLS (Benton and Yakima counties):

Beginning at southern corner of Yakima Training Center border on the Columbia River, northwest of the Priest Rapids Dam; SE on the southern shore of the Columbia River (Priest Rapids Lake) to the Priest Rapids Dam; E along the Columbia River (Yakima-Grant, Grant-Benton county lines) to the Vernita Bridge on SR 24; E and S down the Benton County side of the Columbia River, following the ordinary high water mark of the shoreline, to the mouth of the Yakima River; NW up the Yakima River to SR 823 (Harrison Rd) south of the town of Pomona; E along SR 823 (Harrison Rd) to SR 821; SE on SR 821 to Firing Center Rd at I-82; E on Firing Center Rd to the main gate of the Yakima Training Center; S and E along the Yakima Training Center boundary to southern corner of the Yakima Training Center boundary on the Columbia River and the point of beginning.

GMU 373-HORSE HEAVEN (Benton and Yakima counties):

Beginning at the mouth of the Yakima River and Columbia River; SE down the Columbia River (Franklin-Benton and Benton-Walla Walla county lines) to the Washington-Oregon state line; W on the Columbia River (Washington-Oregon state line) from the southern junction of the Benton-Walla Walla county lines to Alder Creek (including all islands in the Columbia River north of the Oregon state line and between Alder Creek and the junction of the Benton-Walla Walla county lines); N on Alder Creek to SR 14; E on SR 14 to Alderdale Rd; N on the Alderdale Rd to Ridge Rd; W and S on Ridge Rd to Donaho Rd; W on Donaho Rd to Mabton-Bickleton Hwy (Glade Rd); N on Mabton-Bickleton Rd to the power transmission lines; SW on the power transmission lines to the power line access road in Section 3, T6N, R20E; N on power line access road to Yakama reservation Road 272 at the Yakama Indian reservation boundary; NE on the Yakama Indian reservation boundary to the Mabton-Sunnyside Rd; N on the Mabton-Sunnyside Rd to the Yakima River; E along the Yakima River the point of beginning.

GMU 379-Ringold (Franklin, Grant, and Adams Counties):

Beginning at the Vernita bridge on SR 24 and the west shore of the Columbia River (Grant/Benton County line); N and E on SR 24 to Muse Rd; E on Muse Rd to Mail Rd; E on Mail Rd to Scootney Rd; N on Scootney Rd to SR 17; S on SR 17 to US 395; S on US 395 through Pasco (via westbound I-182) to the US 395 blue bridge and the Franklin/Benton County line in the Columbia River; W and N along the Columbia River (Benton/Franklin County line) to the Vernita bridge and the point of beginning.

GMU 381-((ESQUATZEL)) Kahlotus (Franklin((, Grant)) and Adams counties):

Beginning at the ((Vernita Bridge on SR 24 and the west shore of the Columbia River Grant-Benton county line; N and E on SR 24 to Muse Rd; E on Muse Rd to Mail Rd; E on Mail Rd to Scootney Rd; N on Scootney Rd to SR 17;)) junction of SR 17 and SR 26; ((N on SR 17 to SR 26;)) E on SR 26 to Old SR 26; E on Old SR 26 to the Palouse River (Whitman-Franklin county line); S down the Palouse River to Snake River (Franklin-Walla Walla county line); W and SW down the Snake River to the Columbia River (Franklin-Benton-Walla Walla county line junction); NW up the Columbia River (Franklin-Benton county line) to ((a point northeast of the mouth of the Yakima River where it joins the Columbia River; SW to the mouth of the Yakima River; N and W up the Benton county side of the Columbia River, following the ordinary high water mark of the shoreline, to the mouth of the Vernita Bridge on SR 24 and the point of beginning. (Certain portions of the Hanford Reach National Monument are closed to public entry. The Hanford Nuclear Reservation and the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge are closed to unauthorized public entry.))) the US 395 blue bridge; N on US 395 through Pasco (via eastbound I-182) to SR 17; N on SR 17 to the SR 26 junction and the point of beginning.

GMU 382-EAST KLICKITAT (Klickitat County):

Beginning at the US Hwy 97 Bridge on the Columbia River at the town of Maryhill; N on US Hwy 97 to the Yakama Indian reservation at Satus Pass; E along the Yakama Indian reservation boundary to Yakama Reservation Rd 272 and the power line access road; S and E on the power line access road to the electrical transmission lines; N and E on the electrical transmission lines to the Mabton-Bickleton Hwy (Glade Rd); S on the Mabton-Bickleton Hwy to Donaho Rd; E on Donaho Rd to Ridge Rd; E and N on Ridge Rd to Alderdale Rd; SE and S on Alderdale Rd to SR 14; W on SR 14 to Alder Creek; S down Alder Creek to the Columbia River; W down the Columbia River to the US Hwy 97 Bridge at the town of Maryhill and the point of beginning including all islands in the Columbia River both north of the Washington-Oregon state line and between Alder Creek and the US Hwy 97 Bridge at Maryhill.

GMU 388-GRAYBACK (Klickitat County):

Beginning at the US Hwy 97 bridge crossing the Columbia River; W down the Columbia River to the mouth of the Klickitat River at the town of Lyle (including all islands in the Columbia River which are both north of the Washington State line and between the US Hwy 97 bridge and the Klickitat River); N up the Klickitat River to the Fisher Hill Rd (P-2000) at the Fisher Hill bridge; N along Fisher Hill Rd to Lakeside Rd; S on Lakeside Rd to Glenwood-Goldendale Hwy; E and SE on Glenwood-Goldendale Hwy to Summit Creek Rd; NE on Summit Creek Rd to the Yakama Indian Reservation; E along the southern boundary of the Yakama Indian Reservation to US Hwy 97 (Satus Pass Hwy); S on US Hwy 97 to US Hwy 97 bridge crossing the Columbia River and the point of beginning.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 06-02-063 (Order 05-271), § 232-28-333, filed 1/3/06, effective 2/3/06; 05-11-024 (Order 05-90), § 232-28-333, filed 5/10/05, effective 6/10/05; 05-02-046 (Order 04-327), § 232-28-333, filed 1/3/05, effective 2/3/05; 03-16-087 (Order 03-175), § 232-28-333, filed 8/5/03, effective 9/5/03; 03-06-110 (Order 03-23), § 232-28-333, filed 3/5/03, effective 4/5/03.]

     Reviser's note: The spelling error 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.

     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.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office