Tri State Steelheaders

“For the form 990 a copy of the tax return was provided to the board members.”

“Annually the board members review and sign the organization's conflict of interest policy statement. The board reviews each situation and takes appropriate action.”

“The board reviewed comparable salaries by other similar organizations in the state of washington. The board approves the salary and other compensation that is offered to its executive director.”

“Form 1023, forms 990 and other governing documents are currently available on the organizations's website and by request.”

“Tri state steelheaders is an educational organization working with children of all ages, and a broad cross section of environmental organizations to protect and enhance salmonid habitat. The organization is actively working with landowners, conservation groups, private businesses, native american tribes, school districts and government agencies. The organization supervises many adult and student volunteers who are engaged in habitat restoration work.”

“Volunteers for restoration projects to enhance water quality and riparian habitat on walla walla's urban streams: volunteers remove sod, invasive species and assist with planting native trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Volunteers for stream monitoring: volunteers provide assistance with stream flow monitoring in the walla walla watershed for the washington state department of ecology during stream discharge measurements. Volunteers to evaluate watershead health: teacher/student teams from eight regional public and private schools monitored over twenty riparian restoration sites measuring water temperature, stream flow, dissolved oxygen, ph level, macro invertebrate presence, stream bank profiles and canopy coverage. Volunteers for kids fishing days: volunteers provide hot dogs and soda for kids, teach young fishermen how to cast, bait hooks and other elements of fishing. Volunteers for crab feed: volunteers ask community businesses for donated items to be raffled off or auctioned at the crab feed, sell dinner tickets, assist in serving meals to over 400 people and setup and cleanup the rented facility after the event.”

“Restoration restoration plantings three projects that were constructed in 2013 and 2014 had final plantings completed in early 2015. At ireland gulch in columbia county, two barrier culverts were removed. Disturbed areas were seeded with a native grass mix provided by the us forest service, and trees were planted to provide future shade. At yellowhawk creek in walla walla, two rock weirs were constructed to eliminate the barrier posed by a small irrigation dam. Trees and shrubs planted here will shade the stream and provide bank stability. At george creek in asotin county, large wood structures were installed on a 0.7 mile reach to improve instream and floodplain habitats. Trees planted here will help to jump-start the natural recovery of riparian buffers. In total, over 5,100 plants were installed at these three sites. Bridge to bridge final restoration design following the bridge to bridge levee removal construction phase, final designs were initiated for the 1.5 miles of the walla walla river downstream of the completed phase. The intended benefits of the project are improved instream habitat, improved riparian habitat, and improved floodplain function. The final design and plans are scheduled to be completed in july 2016. The project was funded by washington's salmon recovery funding board. Mill creek fish passage - 9th ave extension pre-fabrication of project materials continued in 2015 for this fish passage project in the mill creek flood control channel. With final plans ready, this project is designed to improve passage for summer steelhead, spring chinook, and bull trout. This will be the fourth of several passage projects in mill creek, and is scheduled for 2016 construction. Stream monitoring local support was provided for the washington state department of ecology's stream flow monitoring in the walla walla watershed. From january through june, our staff visited five stations every other week to collect data, take measurements, and provide maintenance. Assistance was provided to ecology staff during stream discharge measurements. Stream monitoring provides important data that are used for watershed planning and fisheries management.”

“Each year the students dedicate approximately 1,000 hours towards data collection. Salmon in the classroom tri-state steelheaders continues to offer the salmon in the classroom program to allow students the experience of rearing and releasing salmon. This year, the program grew to six tanks in area classrooms. Spring chinook eggs arrived in october. Students watched them hatch into the alevin stage and then absorb their yolk sacs to become fry. In april and may, students released the fry into mill creek. Fish eggs and food were provided by the umatilla fish hatchery.”

“Umatilla national forest service to hold a kids fishing day at jubilee lake in july. In all, 80 kids registered for the events. Equipped with tackle, bait, rods and reels, young anglers had great success at both events. Rods and reels were available to loan to kids who did not have gear of their own. Four lucky raffle winners went home with new fishing poles. Participants tested their skills at the casting contest and also enjoyed hot dogs and soda. The events were made possible by many local volunteers and businesses as well as state and federal agencies.”

“Temporarily restricted funds 10,757 total 10,757”