DESCRIPTION
It has been established by Federal, State, and local agencies that screening irrigation diversions with NMFS approved fish screens is key to ESA listed fish recovery. Since 2001, WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Cooperative Compliance Review Program (CCRP), partnering with the Walla Walla County Conservation District (WWCCD), has had great success in reducing juvenile fish mortality by placing nearly 400 state and federally approved fish screens on irrigation pumps and diversions in Walla Walla County. The CCRP fish screen program reflects voluntary efforts by landowners to come into compliance with applicable regulations regarding diversion from surface waters.
With this grant, WWCCD installed 36 fish screens throughout Walla Walla County between 2014 and March 2017. Landowners contributed 15% of the cost of each fish screen and the Washington State Conservation Commission contributed to staff costs for technical assistance. Each project was fitted with the most appropriate screen, either passive or active cleaning, for that location, and sized to the smaller of verified water right or current irrigation practice. Targeted streams support Mid-Columbia steelhead, bull trout and re-introduced spring Chinook.
We are pleased to report the next group of screens will be funded by BPA, but we also have 5 willing landowners whose projects are not funded and need screens. We hope to be able to partner again with RCO to continue this important work.