Blue Mountain Land Trust purchased a 15.93 acre conservation easement on the Karl property, located in Waitsburg, Washington. The Property includes riparian habitat along approximately 3,300 feet of the north and east banks of Coppei Creek. Many years ago, the creek channel was manipulated and riparian vegetation was removed to consolidate space for agriculture and infrastructure. The purpose of the easement is to preserve and protect in perpetuity the salmon habitat and the conservation values of the property, including a natural riparian zone and open space. This easement consists of an 8.73 ac agricultural zone and a 7.2 acre riparian zone. In addition, a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Project (CREP) administered through the Walla Walla Conservation District, restored over 6 acres of land along Coppei Creek with native riparian vegetation at an average 75 foot buffer from the edge of bank. CREP planting included 1,440 plants with 40,200 sq. ft of mulch installed to reduce weeds and improve planting success. The conservation easement will permanently protect the restored riparian area from future subdivision, development, or agricultural uses and will protect the remaining floodplain agricultural land from future subdivision and development. Summer Steelhead spawning and rearing occurs in Coppei Creek, which is listed as a priority restoration and protection reach by the SRSRB and the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan. Based on a WDFW study, the steelhead population that returns to the Coppei sub-watershed is a genetically distinct wild population. This could be an important remnant population that hasn’t been impacted by the genetics of hatchery populations. Blue Mountain Land Trust enjoyed the opportunity to work with enthusiastic landowners along Coppei Creek to restore important riparian habitat and permanently protect their land by maintaining it in natural open space. This land is within the city limits of Waitsburg and could have been subdivided to provide 30-45 home sites.