Under CR-380923 the following work and services will be accomplished by the YTAHP Team:

BPA funding for FY 2026 will support the implementation of 7 fish passage and habitat restoration projects, ongoing riparian vegetation and site stewardship on 6 projects and provide significant work toward project development, permits, design and/or funding for an additional 7 projects. The projects completed in FY 2026 will cumulatively result in screening 28.9 cfs of diverted surface water, restore fish passage to 3.51 miles of tributary habitat and provide .79 of a mile of riparian vegetation and maintenance on eight streams in the Yakima Basin.  

Project Background:

The Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program was formed in 2001 in response to the listing of Middle Columbia River steelhead and bull trout under the Endangered Species Act.  The objectives of the program are to screen surface water diversions, restore fish passage and enhance salmonid habitat.  The focus of the program is on Yakima River tributaries that historically supported salmonids and on riparian areas where fish passage is restored.  The YTAHP fills a unique and important role in salmonid recovery by facilitating a voluntary program in which private landowners can come into compliance with fish screening and passage laws.

In general, projects on tributaries are prioritized sequentially, in accordance with YTAHP's Stategic Plan, moving upstream from the confluence with the Yakima River; as projects are completed, the regained habitat is connected to the mainstem and available to anadromous fish. YTAHP has concentrated on tributaries upstream of Union Gap where salmonids are known to have occurred historically.  Streams have been surveyed for fish passage barriers, analyzed for screening of diversions, and assessed for habitat quality using WDFW’s Salmonid Screening, Habitat Enhancement, and Restoration (SSHEAR) protocol.  At times projects may appear out of sequence but do fit in the context of multi-year planning.  YTAHP uses BPA funds to leverage cost share funds from a variety of other sources, thus expanding the funding pie.  For passage projects, YTAHP works with local landowners and irrigation water delivery entities who voluntarily participate.  BPA funds are used only for planning, design, permitting and implementation.  There are no changes to facility ownership status or operation and maintenance responsibilities resulting from YTAHP work.  BPA takes on no responsibilities for ownership or O&M.

The Current YTAHP Roles and Responsibilities are as follows:
Brian Miller- Washington Resource & Conservation (RC&D) Council YTAHP Program Manager
Mike Tobin- North Yakima Conservation District (NYCD) District Manager
Justin Bader- NYCD Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program Coordinator
Anna Lael- Kittitas Conservation County District (KCCD) District Manager
Mark Crowley- KCCD Conservation Planner for YTAHP projects
Emma Olney- WDFW YTAHP Permitting, Environment Compliance & Watershed Project Coordination