WSR 97-17-029

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

(Wildlife)

[Order 97-155--Filed August 12, 1997, 4:32 p.m.]

Date of Adoption: August 9, 1997.

Purpose: To adopt WAC 232-16-74000C Columbia, Snake, and Yakima River waterfowl, coot, and snipe closures.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-16-74000C; and amending WAC 232-16-740.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

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: To conform with the hunting regulations of the Umatilla Wildlife Refuge.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, amended 0, repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

August 9, 1997

Lisa Pelly, Chair

Fish and Wildlife Commission

NEW SECTION

WAC 232-16-74000C Columbia, Snake, and Yakima River waterfowl, coot, and snipe closures. Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-16-740, effective immediately it shall be unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl, coot and jacksnipe on or within the following described areas:

Section 1. Waters and land below the mean high water mark of Bachelor Island Slough of the Columbia River in Clark County. Bachelor Island Slough is further defined as those waters starting at the south end of the slough at its confluence with the Columbia river, running north along the eastern shore of Bachelor Island to the confluence with Lake River.

Section 2. Klickitat County - the Columbia river and those lands lying within one-quarter mile of the Columbia River upstream from the railroad bridge at Wishram to the grain elevator at Roosevelt.

Section 3. The Columbia River and those lands lying within one-quarter mile of the Columbia River between the mouth of Glade Creek (river channel marker 57) and the old town site of Patterson (river channel marker 67). Except the hunting of game birds is permitted from the main shoreline of the Columbia River in this area.

Section 4. The Columbia River and those lands lying within one-quarter mile of the Columbia River between the old Hanford townsite (Wooden Tower) powerline crossing in Section 30, T13N, R28E, to Vernita Bridge (Highway 24).

Section 5. The Columbia River between the public boat launch at Sunland Estates (Wanapum Pool) and a point perpendicular in Kittitas County; upstream to the posted marker 200 yards north of Quilomene Bay and a point perpendicular in Grant County, including islands.

Section 6. The Snake River and those lands within one-quarter mile of the Snake River, between the U.S. Highway 12 bridge near Burbank, upstream to Lower Monumental Dam.

Section 7. The Yakima River and those lands lying within one-fourth mile of the Yakima River from the Sunnyside-Mabton Road bridge downstream to the Euclid Road bridge (4 miles).

Section 8. The Yakima River and those lands lying within one-fourth mile of the Yakima River from the Grant Avenue bridge (steel bridge) north of Prosser downstream 2-1/2 miles, to the powerline.

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REPEALER

The following section of the Washington Administrative code is repealed effective September 13, 1997: