MCFEG Looking To Work With Central Washington Farmers Landowners

It’s not just crops and livestock that need water in Central Washington.  Fish, specifically salmon and steelhead need water as they look to travel, grow and spawn.  The Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group is looking to help both fish and farmers.

Rebecca Wassell, Program Director for the  Yakima Basin, told the Washington Ag Network they are looking for landowners, across the Yakima Valley, with water on their property.  To help improve these side channels, the Group has received grant money through the department of ecology.  She said their group will help address any red tape of bureaucracy concerns, so the process is easier for landowners to improve their waterways.

“To be able to plant trees, move dykes back so there’s a greater area for a flood plain if that works for a landowner, to modify culverts to make them more passable and in some cases to trust water rights so that you don’t need to worry about use it or loose it you can keep water in stream and know that it’s still protected.”

Wassell said the need is year round.  She said fish need side channels for habitat development and later in the season spawning.   She adds their program is volunteer effort, so it may not work for all farmers.  To learn more about improving fish habitat, visit Mid-Columbia Enhancement Group.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (590) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com