RICHLAND, Wash. – The Walla Walla District of the Army Corps of Engineers is planning to remove the causeway to Bateman Island. The decision has sparked public concern about the elimination of all land access to the island.
The project’s final feasibility report estimates the removal cost at $13.2 million. This amount considers possible inflation rates and early project projections. The Corps noted that future design improvements might lower costs.
During the meeting it was discussed that the Yakima Nation is contributing $2.5 million from a fish passage grant, while state funding from the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan adds $700,000. The remaining $10 million is covered by federal funding.
Mike Livingston from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) detailed some environmental benefits of the project.
“So removing the causeway is going to improve the flows around the south end of the island, allowing both the cooler water of the Columbia River and the Yakima River to mix and improve those conditions,” Livingston said. “And this is just one important project in many that we’re tackling in the Yakima Basin integrated plan to improve conditions for imperiled salmon and steelhead.”
Phil Rigdon, Superintendent for the Yakama Nation’s Department of Natural Resources, explained the significance of the causeway’s impact on local fish.
“This is one of the one of those projects that has been a problem,” Rigdon said. “The causeway causes a thermal block that stops the ability for fish to to migrate as well as creates a habitat that is really poor for salmon. And by removing this, flow in the Columbia River will increase.”
During the early process of the project, the Corps listened to public comments concerning the causeway’s removal and the resulting land access loss. Despite public concern, there are no plans to replace or introduce another way for people to reach the island on foot. Access will be limited to those who can reach it by boat, swim, or float.
The WDFW says there are other ways the public can enjoy the Yakima River.
“One thing that we have talked about is working with the community on doing some things around the shoreline to improve the ability to enjoy the delta, whether it’s piers or trails,” Livingston said. “And we’re open to those types of partnerships to look into future grants.”
The Corps of Engineers noted that the sediment buildup behind the causeway does not contain harmful substances. Though it is high in nickel content, that is typical for the Columbia Basin.
