Yakima Basin recovery board updates Ellensburg on projects, funding and fish counts

Alex Conley, executive director of the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board, briefed the Ellensburg City Council on Feb. 17 about the board’s structure, funding history and local habitat work.

Conley said the board, created under an interlocal agreement with 18 cities, three counties and the Yakima Nation, functions as a lead entity for the Yakima Basin and focuses on implementing recovery plans, coordinating monitoring and conducting outreach. He said the board has funded roughly 181 projects through the state’s salmon recovery funding process — about $47 million over 25 years — and that many projects are concentrated around Ellensburg and the Kittitas Valley.

On local waterways, Conley highlighted the complexity of creeks running through Ellensburg (Wilson, Whiskey and Mercer creeks) and recent floodplain setback projects that combine flood mitigation, recreation and fish habitat. He noted the board’s role in soliciting local project proposals, running technical and citizen-committee reviews, and sending prioritized funding lists to the state.

Conley also reviewed recent hydrology and fish metrics: reservoirs in the basin are fuller this winter than last year, easing some drought concerns, though snowpack remains uncertain; fish counts across species have shown mixed but improving trends, with summer Chinook showing a good year and lamprey and steelhead making modest recoveries. He said the board is focused on ensuring monitoring programs are funded and that projects help juvenile fish reach the ocean and return as adults.

Conley closed by offering project tours for council and staff and noting continued outreach to lawmakers to secure funding and policy support.

No formal action was taken by council; members thanked Conley and asked a few clarifying questions about local projects and monitoring.