Improvements valued at nearly $800,000 have been authorized by the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board for fish recovery projects in Benton and Walla Walla counties.
The Benton Conservation District will use $115,362 to install 13 fish screens in the lower Yakima River to help prevent juvenile salmon and steelhead from being caught in irrigation intake pipes.
The river is an important migration corridor for several species, including Mid-Columbia River steelhead, which are threatened with extinction, as well as coho and spring and fall Chinook salmon.
This is the second phase of the screen project, which began last year and had more applicants than there was money to cover. Ten screens were installed then.
Benton Conservation District intends to use the new money to install new screens and replace screens with older designs that have trapped juvenile fish. The district will contribute $32,367 in cash and donations of equipment and labor for the 2010 work.
Another $674,487 in Salmon Recovery Board money will be used to improve fish habitat in Walla Walla County.
Tri-State Steelheaders will use $639,487 to design and build bypass channels on Mill Creek to help fish avoid weirs in a 2.5-mile concrete flume. The flood control channel causes water quality problems and blocks migration of steelhead, bull trout and Chinook salmon.
Tri-State Steelheaders will provide $112,861 in support for the work, which will allow fish to reach better areas upstream for spawning and rearing.
The Walla Walla grant also includes $35,000 for assessing a conservation easement of up to 140 acres along the Touchet River south of Prescott.
The proposed easement would stretch about 3.5 miles on both sides of the river and provide an average of 300 feet of buffer. The Inland Empire Action Coalition will do the survey and appraisals by donating $6,500 in labor.
Steve Tharinger, chairman of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, said the grants are part of $42.8 million approved for projects statewide.
"Local watershed groups develop these projects based on regional recovery plans and with the support of regional salmon recovery organizations," Tharinger said in a news release.
Funding comes from the federal Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and is matched by state money from selling bonds.
-- John Trumbo: 582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com
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Meals on Wheels seeks volunteer drivers
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Meals on Wheels needs drivers to help deliver meals to homebound seniors in Pasco, Kennewick, Richland and Benton City. Drivers are especially needed in Pasco.
The meals are delivered to seven locations for drivers to pick up at 10:45 a.m. Routes take 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
Drivers use their vehicles and mileage reimbursement is available. Volunteers must pass a background check. For information, call 735-1911.
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