WSR 16-13-065 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 16-143—Filed June 13, 2016, 2:14 p.m., effective June 15, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: June 15, 2016.
Purpose: This emergency rule will allow nontreaty commercial fishing opportunities in the Columbia River while protecting fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes, federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon, and Washington fish and wildlife commission policy guidance for Columbia River fisheries.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-33-01000L; and amending WAC 220-33-010.
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); Northwest Gillnetters Ass'n v. Sandison, 95 Wn.2d 638, 628 P.2d 800 (1981); Washington fish and wildlife commission policies concerning Columbia River fisheries; 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: Sets a mainstem commercial fishing period for summer Chinook. The preseason summer Chinook forecast is ninety-three thousand three hundred fish. A run of this size allocates two thousand six hundred thirty-three Chinook available for harvest in mainstem commercial fisheries. The preseason sockeye forecast is one hundred one thousand six hundred fish. A run of this size allocates three hundred five sockeye available for harvest in mainstem commercial fisheries. Sets additional fishing time in two select areas to harvest some remaining spring Chinook in the area. The fisheries are consistent with the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement and the associated biological opinion. Conforms Washington state rules with Oregon state rules. Regulation is consistent with compact action of June 9, 2016. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent rules.
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 federal court order sets the current parameters for sharing between treaty Indians and others. 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 Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead stocks 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 allows for some incidental take of these species in treaty and nontreaty Columbia River fisheries governed by the 2008-2017 U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement. The Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife 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, the 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.
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 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.
Date Adopted: June 13, 2016.
J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-33-01000M Columbia River seasons below Bonneville.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-33-010, WAC 220-33-020, and WAC 220-33-030, it is unlawful for a person to take or possess salmon, sturgeon, and shad for commercial purposes from Columbia River Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and Select Areas, except during the times and conditions listed below:
(1) Mainstem Columbia River
(a) Dates: 9:00 PM Thursday June 16 to 5:00 AM Friday June 17, 2016.
(b) Area: SMCRA 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E (Zones 1-5).
(c) Sanctuaries: Elochoman-A, Cowlitz River, Kalama-A, Lewis-A, Sandy, and Washougal rivers.
(d) Allowable Possession: Chinook, sockeye and shad.
(e) Gear: Drift nets only. 8-inch minimum mesh size.
(2) Blind Slough/Knappa Slough Select Area
(a) Dates: Open Thursday June 16 to Friday June 17, Monday June 20 to Friday June 21, and Thursday June 23 to Friday June 24, 2016.
(b) Hours: Open 7 PM to 7 AM
(c) Area: Blind Slough and Knappa Slough areas are both open. The lower boundary of the Knappa Slough fishing area is extended downstream to boundary lines defined by markers on the west end of Minaker Island to markers on Karlson Island and the Oregon Shore (fall boundary).
(d) Gear: Gillnets. 9 3/4-inch maximum mesh. Nets are restricted to 100 fathoms in length, with no weight restriction on leadline. Use of additional weights or anchors attached directly to the leadline is permissible.
(e) Allowable possession: Salmon and shad
(3) Tongue Point/South Channel Select Area
(a) Dates: Open Thursday June 16 to Friday June 17 and Monday June 20 to Friday June 21, 2016.
(b) Hours: Open 7 PM to 7 AM
(c) Area: The Tongue Point fishing area includes all waters bounded by a line extended from the upstream (southernmost) pier (#1) at the Tongue Point Job Corps facility through navigation marker #6 to Mott Island, a line from a marker at the southeast end of Mott Island northeasterly to a marker on the northwest tip of Lois Island, and a line from a marker on the southwest end of Lois Island westerly to a marker on the Oregon shore. The South Channel area includes all waters bounded by a line from a marker on John Day Point to a marker on the southwest end of Lois Island upstream to an upper boundary line from a marker on Settler Point northwesterly to the flashing red USCG marker #10, northwesterly to a marker on the eastern tip of Burnside Island defining the upstream terminus of South Channel.
(d) Gear: 9 3/4-inch maximum mesh size restriction. In the Tongue Point fishing area, gear restricted to a maximum net length of 250 fathoms and weight not to exceed two pounds on any one fathom. In the South Channel fishing area, gear restricted to a maximum net length of 250 fathoms and no weight restriction on leadline. Use of additional weights and/or anchors attached directly to the leadline is allowed.
(e) Allowable possession: Salmon and shad
(4) The following provisions apply to all seasons listed above:
(a) 24-hour quick reporting is in effect for Washington buyers (WAC 220-69-240 (14)(d)). Permanent transportation rules are in effect.
(b) Multi-Net Rule: It is permissible to possess onboard a vessel nets not specifically authorized for use in these areas so long as they are properly stored (WAC 220-33-001(2)).
(c) Lighted Buoys: Nets fished at any time between official sunset and official sunrise must have lighted buoys on both ends of the net unless the net is attached to the boat. If the net is fished while attached to a boat, then one lighted buoy on the opposite end of the net from the boat is required.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective June 15, 2016:
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