The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are partnering on an ecosystem restoration along the Lower Yakima River in Richland, WA.

The purpose of this project is to restore ecosystem structure, function, and processes necessary for fish migration (particularly juvenile salmonids) that was degraded or lost following the construction and continuous operation of McNary Lock and Dam and the Tri-Cities Levees.  The project goal is to restore riparian and aquatic habitat and ecosystem functions for the benefit of Endangered Species Act-listed salmonids, other fish, birds, and wildlife in the study area at the Yakima River Delta and, where possible, provide education and recreation access. 

Links to more information about this ecosystem restoration project are at the right-hand side of this page.

Public Comment Period and Open House

The Corps invites public comments on a draft Finding of NO Significant Impact (FONSI) and Feasibility Study/Environmental Assessment (FS/EA) for the Yakima River Delta Ecosystem Restoration Project. The comment period began on January 30, and concludes on April 10.  All information and comments submitted will be included in the permanent public record.

A open house meeting will be held on February 23, from noon to 2 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Reach Museum in Richland, Washington.

This meeting is an opportunity for the public to submit comments and get their questions answered.

There are three methods for submitting public comments. The Corps is inviting electronic comments directly online at:  http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/EnvironmentalComplianceComment/ or via email to NEPANWW@usace.army.mil, inserting “Yakima River Delta” in the subject line. U.S. Mail comments should be postmarked by the deadline to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: PPL-C (Yakima River Delta)
201 N. 3rd Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362

For general questions, call the Walla Walla District at 509-527-7020.

The Corps previously invited public comments regarding the scope of the project November 20 through December 19, 2019.

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), is a law requiring federal agencies to objectively evaluate a range of alternatives for any potential federal action. Alternatives must include a “No Action Alternative,” which addresses the consequences of completing no federal action at the location. The NEPA process requires the agency to consider the environmental and social impacts of alternatives so that informed decisions are made with knowledge of potential environmental consequences.

Authority

This project was initiated under the Continuing Authorities Program, Section 1135, Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended. This authority allows the Corps to work with non-federal sponsors to restore degraded ecosystems where projects built by the Corps and other federal agencies have contributed to the degradation of the quality of the environment.