Projects and Programs

Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program

Please visit the YTAHP Page to learn more about the YTAHP program and their projects.

Woody Biomass Feasibility Study

The SCW RC&D is a continuing partner in the efforts of the Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, an incredible effort led by The Nature Conservancy with participation from the Yakama Nation, the USDA Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The primary focus of the Tapash Collaborative is to create an interactive, trust-based structure that can work on pressing threats to forests located on the east slopes of the Cascades in the state of Washington. The Tapash Collaborative’s mission is to restore forest health and protect eastern Cascades forested ecosystems from imminent conversion.

The SCW RC&D is assisting in this effort by helping to direct funds for a feasibility study that will help Tapash Collaborative better understand the potential to develop additional sustainable, value added technologies and enterprises in the region. Availability and the costs associated with the recovery of woody biomass material generated as a result of landscape level treatments is a primary consideration in the potential development of value added projects. With the assistance of the SCW RC&D, the Tapash Collaborative will have a better understanding of the potential availability of a sustainable long-term supply of woody biomass material generated in the Tapash study area.  In addition, the potential to site value added utilization facilities in the region is of prime interest to both The Nature Conservancy and the Tapash Collaborative.

The Woody Biomass Utilization Feasibility study was made possible by a grant from the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.  The Yakima Valley Community Foundation is a charitable foundation committed to improving the economic, social, health, and educational quality of life for residents of Yakima County, with special attention to unmet needs, and to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals.  The Woody Biomass Utilization Feasibility study will occur over winter of 2008/2009 and will be led by TSS Consultants.

Stormwater Education & Outreach Project

The SCW RC&D Environmental Education Committee, in an effort to increase stormwater education in schools, has created the Stormwater Education & Outreach Project. This project was formed out of a partnership with the Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program (YBEEP) and the City of Selah. It is a pilot project being conducted this school year (2008/2009) in the Selah School District. With the assistance of YBEEP, this project will provide students and teachers with tools and information to understand stormwater management and its impact on water. This project will give students an understanding of stormwater systems and our role in water management. In our cities, pollutants such as trash, sediment, motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet feces are washed off onto streets, parking lots, and lawns, and into the storm sewer system. These pollutants eventually make their way into the Yakima River, causing serious problems for fish and other wildlife. Through education on proper disposal and recycling of household hazardous waste, yard waste, and other pollutants, students and their families can help improve water quality in the Yakima Basin.

Some of the information that will be provided in these classroom activities includes:

• What is stormwater and why we should be concerned about it.
• The importance of water quality and potential pollutants.
• Watersheds and the water cycle.
• Surface and Groundwater – what they are and how they differ.

This project will include several components within each classroom:

• Presentations on the above topics.
• Hands-on demonstrations of groundwater and surface water processes.
• Field exercises.
• Providing teachers with training and materials.

This project strives to reach 50 classrooms, 75 teachers, and approximately 1,750 students in the City of Selah school district. The City of Selah has donated $10,000 toward the implementation of this project. We hope that with the success of this project, we can demonstrate to other cities and school districts the value of these environmental education programs bring to their schools. To find out more about this project and other Environmental Education Committee activities, Contact Us.

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Natural resources now and for the future!