The Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program (YTAHP) works on Yakima River tributaries to re-establish fish passage, screen diversions, increase in-stream flow and enhance riparian and in-stream habitat.  Section 2.1.2 of the Yakima Subbasin Plan Supplement (Nov.26,2004. pg.8) speaks to limiting factors in the Yakima Subbasin and attributes the declines of aquatic species to “low flows; obstruction to fish migration and entrainment; diminished habitat quantity, quality and diversity; high temperatures; altered sediment transport; and degraded channel stability”.  (Yakima Sub-basin map page 14)

YTAHP developed from a number of groups engaged in watershed management, and/or habitat restoration within the Yakima River Basin. These groups included the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kittitas County Conservation District, North Yakima Conservation District, Kittitas County Water Purveyors, the Yakama Nation, and Ahtanum Irrigation District. In subsequent years, the Kittitas County Water Purveyors and the Ahtanum Irrigation District did not participate, although the Yakima Basin Joint Board's (a basin-wide group representing irrigation districts) fish biologist has participated in YTAHP from the beginning. The Kittitas Conservation Trust, Mid Columbia Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group, two local water trusts (Washington Water Trust and Trout Unlimited Washington Water Project), and Benton Conservation District participate in project development and partner where possible to assist YTAHP projects. Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council administers the program at the local level.

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. The SSHEAR assessments provide index numbers to facilitate prioritization of passage and screening projects; YTAHP participants also bring practical knowledge and local perspective, including land ownership and water rights, to the table. Projects are not prioritized strictly by SSHEAR index numbers, rather, the merits of each project are discussed by YTAHP participants in consideration of technical difficulty, funding availability, timing relative to agricultural and fish concerns, landowner/irrigator willingness to participate, and the likelihood of accomplishing a given project.

In general, projects on tributaries are prioritized sequentially, 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.  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.