EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: May 16, 2011.
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 220-32-05100V; and amending WAC 220-32-051.
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); Puget Sound Gillnetters Ass'n v. Moos, 92 Wn.2d 939, 603 P.2d 819 (1979); State v. James, 72 Wn.2d 746, 435 P.2d 521 (1967); 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 specific fish caught during test fisheries conducted with experimental gear that have been lawfully enacted by the Yakama or Umatilla tribes. Continues to allow the sale of platform and hook and line caught fish from mainstem tribal fisheries and the sale of fish caught in Yakama Nation tributary fisheries. Closes the tribal fishery downstream of Bonneville Dam as scheduled. Fisheries are 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 May 11, 2011. 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 allow 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 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, 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 13, 2011.
Lori Preuss
for Philip Anderson
Director
1. Open Area: SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H (Zone 6):
a. Season: Open until further notice.
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, and yellow perch. Sturgeon between 38-54 inches in fork length in the Bonneville Pool and sturgeon between 43-54 inches in fork length in The Dalles and John Day pools may be retained for subsistence purposes. Live release of all oversize and under-size sturgeon is required.
d. River mouth sanctuaries (WAC 220-32-058) remain in effect, except the Spring Creek Hatchery sanctuary.
2. Open Area: SMCRA 1F, 1G, 1H (Zone 6):
a. Participants: Open under lawfully enacted regulations for experimental gear types as adopted by either the Yakama Nation or the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
b. Season: Immediately through July 31, 2011.
c. Gear: Experimental gear; are test fisheries.
d. Allowable sale: Shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, and yellow perch.
3. Columbia River Tributaries above Bonneville Dam
a. Season: Open until further notice, but 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, and the White Salmon, Klickitat, and Wind rivers.
c. Gear: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, and rod and reel with hook and line. Gill nets may only be used in Drano Lake.
Allowable Sales: Salmon, steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, and yellow perch.
4. 24-hour quick reporting required for Washington wholesale dealers, WAC 220-69-240, for all areas.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative
Code is repealed effective May 16, 2011:
| WAC 220-32-05100V | Columbia River salmon seasons above Bonneville Dam. (11-92) |