Reported by the Yakima Herald: The state has approved $42 million worth of grants for salmon recovery projects across the state, including $1.26 million for the Yakima River Basin. The money will be split between five local projects — two each in Yakima and Kittitas counties and one in Benton County. The local projects were recommended by the Salmon Recovery Board for funding through a competitive application process run by the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board.
“These are great projects that will enhance fish habitat and support local contractors,” said Alex Conley, the board’s executive director. “We’re excited to see them hit the ground.”
Conley said the amount of money the region received from the salmon recovery program is similar to recent years, but thanks to additional funding sources, like the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan’s budget for habitat projects, they’ve been able to fund more projects than usual this year.
In Kittitas County, the largest new grant — $518,974 — will pay for efforts along the Cle Elum River to restore side-channel habitat that juvenile salmon prefer, protected from the fast irrigation flow in the main channel.
Another $254,000 grant will fund assessments of three Kittitas County creeks — Naneum, Wilson and Cherry — to develop long-term plans for improving fish access and habitat.
Yakima County received $124,500 to develop a plan to move a levee along the Yakima River back, expanding the floodplain and improving several miles of habitat.
Improving floodplain habitat is also the goal of a $360,000 grant for restoration work after the Forest Service removes the road along Little Rattlesnake Creek near the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.
Lastly, in Benton County, a $5,976 grant will help the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group study options for improving river flow along the Bateman Island causeway at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers.
These grant awards are the result of a months-long process, including reviews by local scientists and a citizen advisory committee, Conley said.
“Yes, the review takes time and money, but the result is projects that are well-developed and broadly supported,” Conley said.
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