This project has been designed to restore wetlands and riparian habitats along anadromous fish-bearing streams in the agricultural portion of the Yakama Nation Reservation. Overall goals include the protection, restoration and management of 27,000 acres of floodplain lands along the Yakima River, Satus and Toppenish Creeks. Direct mitigation is being realized for losses identified in the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program relating to the construction and operation of the lower Columbia River Hydropower System. Extensive partnership and cost-share components provide savings to this project.Land securing methods include purchase, easement, or long-term lease depending on the nature of the land ownership and the cost-effectiveness of the activity. Approximately 2,000 - 3,000 acres are secured each year. By the end of FY01 over 16,000 acres will be secured into the project. At the current rate of implementation, nearly 24,000 acres of floodplain habitats should be protected and restored by the end of FY06. Restoration activities seek to restore historic conditions. Land disturbing activities are subject to cultural and archaeological surveys, and are used only on properties which have suffered past disturbances. Native vegetation re-establishment, and a return to some semblance of historic floodplain hydrology are the goals on the restoration sites. Restoration efforts are designed to be as self-sustaining as possible to minimize the O&M needed to maintain habitat values. The outcomes of the project are native riparian and wetland floodplain complexes along the anadromous fish-bearing streams on the Yakama Nation Reservation. Results are monitored using HEP to account for the direct mitigation earned toward the construction, operation and cumulative effect wildlife impacts of the Columbia River hydropower system. Specific vegetational, population and hydrologic results are also monitored at each property to ensure that restoration goals are being met in a cost-effective manner.
