RICHLAND, Wash.-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its feasibility report on removing the Bateman Island causeway.
The USACE released the Yakima Delta ecological restoration feasibility report, a study concerning the ecological impact and outlining actions to restore the Yakima River Delta on Oct. 28.
“USACE is excited to finalize this feasibility report and we look forward to the next phase of the project: design and construction,” said Kat Herzog, USACE Walla Walla District Planner and Project Manager.
The USACE’s feasibility report recommends removing the causeway at an estimated cost of $13.2 million.
The USACE would cover $10 million of the cost, with the WDFW picking up the remaining $3.2 million, according to the feasibility report.
Bateman Island is located at the causeway of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers and the causeway is the only way to access the island.
According to the USACE, the causeway completely blocks water flows south of the island, leading to very warm water on the west side of the island, which provides habitat for non-native fish to prey on migrating salmon in the spring and makes it difficult for adult salmon to swim upstream in the summer.
The USACE partnered with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Nation on the feasibility report.
