WSR 17-13-065 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-129—Filed June 15, 2017, 4:02 p.m., effective June 15, 2017, 4:02 p.m.] Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
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 220-358-03000E; and amending WAC 220-358-030.
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 the 2017 summer select area commercial seasons. Impacts to nonlocal stocks are expected to be minimal and local Chinook stocks reared for the select area sites are available for harvest. The fishery is 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 14, 2017. 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 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
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 15, 2017.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-358-03000E Columbia River seasons below Bonneville.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-358-030, WAC 220-358-040, and WAC 220-358-050, 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) Tongue Point/South Channel
(a) Dates: Monday June 19 - Tuesday June 20;
Thursday June 22 – Friday June 23;
Monday June 26 – Tuesday June 27;
Thursday June 29 - Friday June 30;
Sunday July 2 – Monday July 3;
Thursday July 6 – Friday July 7;
Monday July 10 – Tuesday July 11.
Open hours are: 7 PM to 7 AM
(b) Area: Tongue Point fishing area includes all waters bounded by a line extended from the upstream (southern most) 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, and northwesterly to a marker on Burnside Island defining the upstream terminus of South Channel.
(c) Gear: Gillnets. 9 3/4-inch maximum mesh. 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, no weight restriction on leadline, and use of additional weights or anchors attached directly to the leadline is allowed.
(d) Miscellaneous: Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(2) Blind Slough/Knappa Slough Select Area
(a) Dates: Monday June 19 – Tuesday June 20;
Thursday June 22 – Friday June 23;
Monday June 26 – Tuesday June 27;
Thursday June 29 - Friday June 30;
Sunday July 2 – Monday July 3;
Thursday July 6 – Friday July 7;
Monday July 10 – Tuesday July 11.
Open hours are: 7 PM to 7 AM.
(b) Area: Blind Slough and Knappa Slough are both open. The lower boundary of the Knappa Slough fishing area is defined by markers on the west end of Minaker Island to markers on Karlson Island and the Oregon shore (fall boundary).
(c) 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 and/or anchors attached directly to the leadline is allowed.
(d) Miscellaneous: Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(4) Allowable Possession: Salmon, white sturgeon and shad. A maximum of five white sturgeon with a fork length of 44-50 inches may be possessed or sold by each participating vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The five white sturgeon possession and sales limit includes all Select Area fisheries.
(5) 24-hour quick reporting is in effect for Washington buyers (WAC 220-352-180 (14)(d)). Permanent transportation rules in effect.
(6) Multi-Net Rule: Nets not specifically authorized for use in these areas may be onboard a vessel if properly stored (WAC 220-358-010(2)).
(7) Lighted Buoys: Nets that are 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 attached to the boat, then one lighted buoy on the opposite end of the net from the boat is required.
Reviser's note: The unnecessary underscoring 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. REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 7:01 a.m. July 11, 2017:
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