WASHINGTON STATE REGISTER

WSR 00-06-095

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed March 1, 2000, 11:44 a.m. ]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-01-142.

Purpose: To amend WAC 232-28-248 Special closures and firearm restriction areas.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.040.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.12.040.

Summary: Firearm restriction areas and closures are updated annually to provide accurate descriptions. Restriction designations are identified for safety reasons. Centerfire and rimfire rifles are not legal for hunting in these areas. A new restriction is recommended this year for BLM lands in San Juan County and the Dungeness Recreation Area in Clallam County. Shotguns are being proposed for elk hunting.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Persons with modern firearm tags may hunt with archery or muzzleloader equipment during modern firearm seasons in these areas.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Dave Brittell, Assistant Director, Wildlife Program, Olympia, (360) 902-2504; and Enforcement: Bruce Bjork, Assistant Director, Enforcement, Olympia, (360) 902-2932.

Name of Proponent: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, governmental.

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

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The effect will be to ban high power rifles in those areas and update restrictions for hunting in certain areas.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not affect small business.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule is not related to the hydraulics code.

Hearing Location: Yakima Convention Center, 10 North 8th Street, Yakima, WA, on April 7-8, 2000, at 8:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Nelson by March 31, 2000, TDD (360) 902-2207, or (360) 902-2267.

Submit Written Comments to: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Dave Brittell, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, fax (360) 902-2162, by March 31, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: April 7, 2000.

March 1, 2000

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

AMENDATORY SECTION [(Amending Order 99-40, filed 5/5/99)]WAC 232-28-248
((~~1999-2000~~)) Special closures and firearm restriction areas.

RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED HUNTING AREAS.

These areas are closed by Fish and Wildlife Commission action. Other areas may be closed to hunting by local, state or federal regulations.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO HUNT EXCEPT WHERE PROVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

1. Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge: The southern part of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge in Stevens County is closed to hunting and discharge of firearms except during the period of Oct. 1-Dec. 31. 牋牋 This closure is south of a boundary beginning at the west project boundary in Section 3, Township 34 N, R 40 EWM, then easterly along Road 1.0 (Bear Creek Road) to the intersection with Road 2.0 (Blacktail Mountain Road) in Section 2, then easterly along Road 2.0 to the easterly boundary in Section 8, Township 34 N, R 42 EWM.

The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge north of the preceding boundary is open to all legally established hunting seasons during September through December.

2. Parker Lake: All lands south of Ruby Creek Road (USFS Road 2489), north of Tacoma Creek Road (USFS Road 2389) and west of Bonneville Power Administration power lines are designated as "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of wild animals and wild birds year round. 牋牋 Both the Little Pend Oreille (1) and Parker Lake (2) closures were established to provide a protected area for the Air Force Military Survival Training Program.

3. Columbia River and all the islands in the river, and the Benton County shoreline below the high water mark, and any peninsula originating on the Benton County shoreline, between Vernita Bridge (Highway 24) downstream to the old Hanford townsite powerline crossing (wooden towers) in Section 24, T 13 N, R 27 E, is designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of wild animals and wild birds.

4. Green River (GMU 485): Except for special permit hunts, all lands within GMU 485 are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of big game by Department of Fish and Wildlife regulated hunters throughout the year. During the general westside elk season and general and late deer seasons, all lands within GMU 485 are also designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds). 牋牋 The City of Tacoma enforces trespass within GMU 485 on lands owned or controlled by the City during all times of the year.

5. McNeil Island: McNeil Island (part of GMU 484) is closed to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds) year around.

6. Loo-wit (GMU 522): Closed to hunting and trapping within GMU 522 (Loo-wit).

7. The Voice of America Dungeness Recreation Area County Park in Clallam County is closed to all hunting((~~from February 1 through September 30~~)) except Wednesdays, weekends, and holidays, from the first weekend in October to the end of January.

BIG GAME CLOSURES

1. Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties are closed to Columbian Whitetail Deer hunting.

2. Cathlamet: Beginning in the town of Skamokawa; then east along SR 4 to the Risk Road; then south and east along the Risk Road to Foster Road; then south along the Foster Road to the Elochoman River; then upstream along the Elochoman River to the Elochoman Valley Road (old SR 407); then west along the Elochoman Valley Road to SR 4; then east along SR 4 to SR 409; then south along SR 409 to the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River; then east along the north shore of the Cathlamet Channel to Cape Horn; then south in the Columbia River to the state line; then west along the state line to a point directly south of the mouth of Skamokawa Creek; then north on Skamokawa Creek to SR 4 and the point of beginning. 牋牋 This area is closed to all deer and elk hunting, to protect the Columbian Whitetail Deer.

3. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge: Except for Long Island, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is closed to all big game hunting.

4. Walla Walla Mill Creek Watershed (GMU 157): All lands in the Mill Creek Watershed are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds) except for holders of special elk permits during the established open season. This area is closed to motorized vehicles. Entry is allowed only by Forest Service permit for the duration of the hunt. Any entry into the Mill Creek Watershed at other times is prohibited.

5. Westport: Closed to hunting of all big game animals on that part of Westport Peninsula lying north of State Highway 105 from the west end of the Elk River Bridge and the Schafer Island Road to the ocean beach.

FIREARM RESTRICTION AREAS

The firearm restriction areas listed below have been established by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Centerfire and rimfire rifles are not legal for hunting in these areas.

In firearm restriction areas, hunters may hunt only during the season allowed by their tag.牋牋 Archery tag holders may hunt during archery seasons with archery equipment. 牋牋 Muzzleloaders may hunt during muzzleloader seasons with muzzleloader equipment except in the GMU 484 restriction area outlined for King County. 牋牋 Modern firearm tag holders may hunt during modern firearm seasons with bows and arrows, muzzleloaders or revolver-type handguns meeting the equipment restrictions or legal shotguns firing slugs or ((~~legal~~)) buckshot. 牋牋 ((~~Shotguns are not legal for hunting elk.~~))

COUNTY
AREA

Clallam That portion of GMU 624 (Coyle) located within Clallam County.

Clark GMU 564 (Battleground)

Cowlitz GMU 554 (Yale)
GMU 504 (Stella)

Franklin, Grant, Adams Those portions of GMU 281 (Ringold) and GMU 278 (Wahluke) known as the Wahluke Slope Wildlife Area.

Grays Harbor That portion of GMU 658 (North River) beginning at Bay City; then west along Highway 105 to Twin Harbors State Park; then south along Highway 105 to Grayland Grocery; then east on Cranberry Road to Turkey Road; then east and north on Turkey Road to Bayview Logging Road; then north and east along Bayview Logging Road to Mallard Slough; then east and south along the Bayview Road to Andrews Creek; then north along main channel of Andrews Creek to Grays Harbor; then north and west along the main navigation channel to Bay City and point of beginning.

The South Elma restriction applies only during elk seasons:

That portion of GMU 660 (Minot Peak) described as follows: Beginning at Highway 12 and Wakefield Road Junction (South Elma); south on Wakefield Road, across the Chehalis River to the South Bank Road; then southeast on South Bank Road to the Delezene Road; then south on the Delezene Road to ((~~the K Line Road to the A Line Road; then south on the A Line Road to the T Line Road; then south on the T Line Road~~)) a point 1 mile from the South Bank Road; southeast along a line 1 mile southwest of the South Bank Road to the Oakville-Brooklyn Road; then east on the Oakville-Brooklyn Road to Oakville and Highway 12; then northwest on Highway 12 to Wakefield Road to Elma and the point of beginning.

Island That portion of GMU 410 (Island) located on Camano and Whidbey islands.

Jefferson Indian and Marrowstone islands.

King The area west of Highway 203 (Monroe-Fall City, Fall City-Preston Road) to Interstate 90 (I-90), I-90 to Highway 18, Highway 18 to Interstate 5 (I-5), I-5 to the Pierce-King County line; Vashon and Maury islands.

The following portion of GMU 484 (Puyallup): Beginning at the intersection of State Highway 410 and the southeast Mud Mountain Dam Road near the King/Pierce County line north of Buckley; then east along the southeast Mud Mountain Road to 284th Avenue Southeast; then north along 284th Avenue Southeast to State Highway 410; then west along Highway 410 to the point of the beginning. (This restriction includes high power rifles and muzzleloaders.)

Kitsap East of State Highway 16 originating at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gorst, and east of Highway 3 to Newbury Hill Road, north of Newbury Hill Road and the Bremerton-Seabeck Highway to Big Beef Creek Bridge; all of Bainbridge Island, and Bangor Military Reservation.

Kittitas GMU 334 (Ellensburg) Closed to high power rifles during deer and elk seasons.

Mason GMU 633 (Mason Lake) south of Hammersley Inlet; and all of Harstene Island.

Pacific GMU 684 (Long Beach) west of Sand Ridge Road. The portion of GMU 658 (North River) south and west of State Highway 105 and Airport Road between Raymond and North River Bridge.

Pierce GMU 484 (Anderson and Ketron islands) limited to archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader shotgun. McNeil Island closed to hunting.

See GMU 484 restriction area outlined for King County.

GMU 627 (Kitsap) south of Highway 302 on the Longbranch Peninsula is a firearm restriction area.

San Juan GMU 410 BLM lands in San Juan County are limited to shotgun, handgun, archery, and muzzleloader only.

Snohomish West of Highway 9.

Skagit Guemes Island and March Point north of State Highway 20.

Thurston GMU 666 (Deschutes) north of U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 5 between Oyster Bay and the mouth of the Nisqually River.

Whatcom Area west of I-5 and north of Bellingham city limits including Lummi Island and Point Roberts.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 牋牋 99-10-102 (Order 99-40), � 232-28-248, filed 5/5/99, effective 6/5/99; 98-10-018 (Order 98-54), � 232-28-248, filed 4/22/98, effective 5/23/98; 97-06-052 (Order 97-32), � 232-28-248, filed 2/27/97, effective 3/30/97. 牋牋 Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.010 and 77.12.040. 牋牋 96-04-027, � 232-28-248, filed 2/1/96, effective 3/3/96. 牋牋 Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 牋牋 95-11-036, � 232-28-248, filed 5/10/95, effective 6/10/95; 95-03-038 (Order 94-150), � 232-28-248, filed 1/10/95, effective 2/10/95.]

Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.

1.	Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge: The southern part of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge in Stevens County is closed to hunting and discharge of firearms except during the period of Oct. 1-Dec. 31. 牋牋 This closure is south of a boundary beginning at the west project boundary in Section 3, Township 34 N, R 40 EWM, then easterly along Road 1.0 (Bear Creek Road) to the intersection with Road 2.0 (Blacktail Mountain Road) in Section 2, then easterly along Road 2.0 to the easterly boundary in Section 8, Township 34 N, R 42 EWM.
	The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge north of the preceding boundary is open to all legally established hunting seasons during September through December.
2.	Parker Lake: All lands south of Ruby Creek Road (USFS Road 2489), north of Tacoma Creek Road (USFS Road 2389) and west of Bonneville Power Administration power lines are designated as "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of wild animals and wild birds year round. 牋牋 Both the Little Pend Oreille (1) and Parker Lake (2) closures were established to provide a protected area for the Air Force Military Survival Training Program.
3.	Columbia River and all the islands in the river, and the Benton County shoreline below the high water mark, and any peninsula originating on the Benton County shoreline, between Vernita Bridge (Highway 24) downstream to the old Hanford townsite powerline crossing (wooden towers) in Section 24, T 13 N, R 27 E, is designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of wild animals and wild birds.
4.	Green River (GMU 485): Except for special permit hunts, all lands within GMU 485 are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of big game by Department of Fish and Wildlife regulated hunters throughout the year. During the general westside elk season and general and late deer seasons, all lands within GMU 485 are also designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds). 牋牋 The City of Tacoma enforces trespass within GMU 485 on lands owned or controlled by the City during all times of the year.
5.	McNeil Island: McNeil Island (part of GMU 484) is closed to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds) year around.
6.	Loo-wit (GMU 522): Closed to hunting and trapping within GMU 522 (Loo-wit).
7.	The Voice of America Dungeness Recreation Area County Park in Clallam County is closed to all hunting((~~from February 1 through September 30~~)) except Wednesdays, weekends, and holidays, from the first weekend in October to the end of January.

1.	Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties are closed to Columbian Whitetail Deer hunting.
2.	Cathlamet: Beginning in the town of Skamokawa; then east along SR 4 to the Risk Road; then south and east along the Risk Road to Foster Road; then south along the Foster Road to the Elochoman River; then upstream along the Elochoman River to the Elochoman Valley Road (old SR 407); then west along the Elochoman Valley Road to SR 4; then east along SR 4 to SR 409; then south along SR 409 to the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River; then east along the north shore of the Cathlamet Channel to Cape Horn; then south in the Columbia River to the state line; then west along the state line to a point directly south of the mouth of Skamokawa Creek; then north on Skamokawa Creek to SR 4 and the point of beginning. 牋牋 This area is closed to all deer and elk hunting, to protect the Columbian Whitetail Deer.
3.	Willapa National Wildlife Refuge: Except for Long Island, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is closed to all big game hunting.
4.	Walla Walla Mill Creek Watershed (GMU 157): All lands in the Mill Creek Watershed are designated as a "CLOSED AREA" to the hunting of all wild animals (including wild birds) except for holders of special elk permits during the established open season. This area is closed to motorized vehicles. Entry is allowed only by Forest Service permit for the duration of the hunt. Any entry into the Mill Creek Watershed at other times is prohibited.
5.	Westport: Closed to hunting of all big game animals on that part of Westport Peninsula lying north of State Highway 105 from the west end of the Elk River Bridge and the Schafer Island Road to the ocean beach.

COUNTY	AREA
Clallam		That portion of GMU 624 (Coyle) located within Clallam County.
Clark		GMU 564 (Battleground)
Cowlitz		GMU 554 (Yale) GMU 504 (Stella)
Franklin, Grant, Adams		Those portions of GMU 281 (Ringold) and GMU 278 (Wahluke) known as the Wahluke Slope Wildlife Area.
Grays Harbor		That portion of GMU 658 (North River) beginning at Bay City; then west along Highway 105 to Twin Harbors State Park; then south along Highway 105 to Grayland Grocery; then east on Cranberry Road to Turkey Road; then east and north on Turkey Road to Bayview Logging Road; then north and east along Bayview Logging Road to Mallard Slough; then east and south along the Bayview Road to Andrews Creek; then north along main channel of Andrews Creek to Grays Harbor; then north and west along the main navigation channel to Bay City and point of beginning.
		The South Elma restriction applies only during elk seasons:
		That portion of GMU 660 (Minot Peak) described as follows: Beginning at Highway 12 and Wakefield Road Junction (South Elma); south on Wakefield Road, across the Chehalis River to the South Bank Road; then southeast on South Bank Road to the Delezene Road; then south on the Delezene Road to ((~~the K Line Road to the A Line Road; then south on the A Line Road to the T Line Road; then south on the T Line Road~~)) a point 1 mile from the South Bank Road; southeast along a line 1 mile southwest of the South Bank Road to the Oakville-Brooklyn Road; then east on the Oakville-Brooklyn Road to Oakville and Highway 12; then northwest on Highway 12 to Wakefield Road to Elma and the point of beginning.
Island		That portion of GMU 410 (Island) located on Camano and Whidbey islands.
Jefferson		Indian and Marrowstone islands.
King		The area west of Highway 203 (Monroe-Fall City, Fall City-Preston Road) to Interstate 90 (I-90), I-90 to Highway 18, Highway 18 to Interstate 5 (I-5), I-5 to the Pierce-King County line; Vashon and Maury islands.
		The following portion of GMU 484 (Puyallup): Beginning at the intersection of State Highway 410 and the southeast Mud Mountain Dam Road near the King/Pierce County line north of Buckley; then east along the southeast Mud Mountain Road to 284th Avenue Southeast; then north along 284th Avenue Southeast to State Highway 410; then west along Highway 410 to the point of the beginning. (This restriction includes high power rifles and muzzleloaders.)
Kitsap		East of State Highway 16 originating at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gorst, and east of Highway 3 to Newbury Hill Road, north of Newbury Hill Road and the Bremerton-Seabeck Highway to Big Beef Creek Bridge; all of Bainbridge Island, and Bangor Military Reservation.
Kittitas		GMU 334 (Ellensburg) Closed to high power rifles during deer and elk seasons.
Mason		GMU 633 (Mason Lake) south of Hammersley Inlet; and all of Harstene Island.
Pacific		GMU 684 (Long Beach) west of Sand Ridge Road. The portion of GMU 658 (North River) south and west of State Highway 105 and Airport Road between Raymond and North River Bridge.
Pierce		GMU 484 (Anderson and Ketron islands) limited to archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader shotgun. McNeil Island closed to hunting.
		See GMU 484 restriction area outlined for King County.
		GMU 627 (Kitsap) south of Highway 302 on the Longbranch Peninsula is a firearm restriction area.
San Juan		GMU 410 BLM lands in San Juan County are limited to shotgun, handgun, archery, and muzzleloader only.
Snohomish		West of Highway 9.
Skagit		Guemes Island and March Point north of State Highway 20.
Thurston		GMU 666 (Deschutes) north of U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 5 between Oyster Bay and the mouth of the Nisqually River.
Whatcom		Area west of I-5 and north of Bellingham city limits including Lummi Island and Point Roberts.

� Washington State Code Reviser's Office