YBIP - Yakima Basin Integrated Plan

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan

The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (YBIP) is a collaboration of state, federal, tribal, business, and community organizations committed to addressing water, fishery, habitat and climate variability challenges to ensure a robust Yakima River Basin within its built and natural systems.

Learn More About Us

Featured Project

Removal of Bateman Island causeway begins!

The Bateman Island causeway in the Yakima River delta near Richland contributes to the development of a shallow pond of warm, stagnant water — perfect habitat for invasive fish to thrive and prey on young juvenile salmon and steelhead. The causeway blocks a section of the river and fosters an overgrowth of vegetation that limits where salmon can swim. It makes it difficult for juvenile salmon to migrate downstream to the ocean in spring and early summer, while also limiting passage for adult salmon returning to spawn in summer and fall.

WDFW, Yakama Nation Fisheries, the U.S. Army Corps, and Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group worked together with other partners for over 10 years to remove the causeway and restore fish passage for salmon and steelhead. Excavation work begins today, Jan. 5, 2026.

Learn more in WDFW’s blog (The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife – Medium) and check out the City of Richland’s time lapse camera footage (Bateman Island Causeway Removal | Parks News | City of Richland, WA, Parks and Recreation) of the work.

(Photo by Scott Revell – Roza Irrigation District)

To learn more visit: https://yakimabasinintegratedplan.org/resources/#news

Upcoming Meetings

Our Workgroup meets quarterly to receive updates on Yakima Basin Integrated Plan actions and activities, offer input, and share perspectives. The public is encouraged to attend meetings and participate by providing comments. These meetings are being offered in-person and virtually. For more information on how to attend visit our Resources page.

More on the Workgroup

2026 YRBWEP Workgroup Meetings

March 11, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
- Ellensburg, WA (Central Washington University – SURC)
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June 10, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
- Toppenish, WA (Legends Casino and Conference Center)
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September 9, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
- Toppenish, WA (Heritage University)
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December 9, 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
- Yakima, WA (Yakima Valley College)
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Collaboration in the Yakima Basin: Project kicking off in September will remove water stargrass, improve habitat in Yakima River

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife August 28, 2025

Senator Murray Tours Springwood Ranch, Hears From Yakama Nation Members and Local Stakeholders About Historic Co-Management Project

US Senator Patty Murray's Office May 28, 2025

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Partners Complete Acquisition of Springwood Ranch for Water, Fish, Wildlife, and Agriculture

Trust for Public Lands Press Release November 1, 2024

Building a Future for Water, Wildlife, and Working Lands

Featured Project

Removal of Bateman Island causeway begins!

Upcoming Meetings

2026 YRBWEP Workgroup Meetings

YBIP in the News

Building a Future
for Water, Wildlife,
and Working Lands