Bringing salmon back to the Yakima Basin, driving up participation in the Working Families Tax Credit



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New helix fish passage facility will re-open Yakima River Basin for salmon

A group of people standing on a rocky shore in front of a lake

Gov. Inslee stands with members of the Yakama Nation following the opening the Cle Elum fish passage facility, which is enabling endangered salmon to come back to the Yakima Basin

For millions of years rivers across the Pacific Northwest teemed with salmon. Millions of fish would travel hundreds of miles inland to lay eggs. Their offspring would trace the same route back out to sea. But for last two centuries, dams and culverts have interrupted their journeys throughout the Pacific Northwest. As a result, 14 species of salmon and steelhead are considered endangered. But government and Tribal leaders and taking action to provide routes through the culverts and dams -- giving salmon a fighting chance at survival.?

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee joined U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to celebrate the opening [ [link removed]. ] of a new fish passage facility on Lake Cle Elum outside Cle Elum, WA. The Yakama Nation and the Bureau of Reclamation were key partners in making this facility a reality. Leaders from the Yakama Nation have steadfastly pushed for the re-introduction of salmon in this area ever since the Cle Elum dam was built. With the creation of this facility, they're one step closer to success.?

Inslee has been working to balance the needs of people, farms and fish in the Yakima Basin for more than three decades, since his days representing this part of Washington in Congress. As governor, one of the first bills he signed was bipartisan request legislation [ [link removed] ] that committed Washington to implementing the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, which ultimately helped bring the Cle Elum fish passage project to fruition.

Sockeye, coho and spring Chinook salmon, and Pacific lamprey are all expected to benefit. The facility should herald more of what's to come. The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan has been hailed in national media [ [link removed] ] as a model for how to manage scarce water resources. Tribes, the federal government and Washington officials are already working collaboratively to replicate this success on other river systems in this region, including the Columbia River basin. And the Biden-Harris administration just announced [ [link removed] ] an additional $240 million for hatcheries to help reverse the decline of wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

Clean water and healthy ecosystems -- that's good news for fish and good news for people.?

"I'll tell you something about salmon," said Inslee at the facility opening. "When you give them a chance to come back, they come back."

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Spreading the word about the Working Families Tax Credit

Gov. Inslee standing next to a woman wearing a hat in front of a sign about the working families tax credit

Gov. Inslee with Isela Wingfield, a resident of Clark County who received a rebate through the Working Families Tax Credit

Last year, Washington implemented an effective tax cut for working families: the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC). Washingtonians making up to $63,000 are now eligible for an annual tax rebate ranging from $315 to $1,255. In 2024, the second year this tax credit was available, more than 100,000 Washingtonians received a rebate averaging $763. Recipients receive a direct deposit or check.

On Tuesday at a Results Washington public performance review [ [link removed] ], the governor joined state agency leaders and a group of WFTC recipients to discuss the impact the WFTC and other poverty reduction efforts are having on the lives of Washingtonians, and ways to raise participation rates in the program.

In its first two years, it's estimated that just under half of those who are eligible applied for this tax credit. The Department of Revenue has a significant network of community partners to help people with applications and tax returns. Now, agency leaders are also working on a text message program to do more targeted outreach to those eligible for the WFTC.?

People who were eligible but didn't file for the WFTC in 2023 and 2024 can still apply retroactively. DOR makes it easy to see if you're eligible with their online quiz [ [link removed] ].?

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News you might have missed:

Gov. Inslee announces new agency and executive team appointments

On Monday, Gov. Inslee announced [ [link removed] ] Pat Sullivan would succeed David Schumacher as the director of the Washington State Office of Financial Management and that Sheri Sawyer would join his executive team as the new executive director of legislative affairs. Inslee also announced Lisa Keating [ [link removed] ] will become the next director of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.

Office of Independent Investigations sets launch date

On Dec. 1, 2024,?the recently-created Washington State Office of Independent Investigations [ [link removed] ] (OII) will start actively responding to use of deadly force cases, starting in the region encompassing Southwest Washington and on the Olympic Peninsula. These investigations are currently conducted by independent teams of local law enforcement agencies. To effectively manage its resources, OII is beginning its statewide operations in phases.

The?OII Advisory Board?co-chairs, Fred Thomas, whose son was shot and killed by police in 2013, and Eric Drever, chief of the Tukwila Police Department, welcomed the news that OII will begin responding to use of deadly force incidents this year.

?This office has the opportunity to make a historical change in society,? Thomas said. ?I?m proud of all the community members who have worked so hard to get us here. We now have a date to share for when OII will begin investigating cases.?

The state Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. OII is the first office of its kind in the nation [ [link removed] ].

Built in Washington, the world's first fully hydrogen-powered ferry launches in San Francisco

The world's first commercial ferry running completely by hydrogen-power launched in San Francisco earlier this week. It was built at All American Marine's waterfront shipyard in Bellingham [ [link removed] ]. The boat, aptly named "Sea Change", is yet another sign that Washington's talented workforce is leading the creation of a sustainable, clean energy future.?

Ecology upgrades Washington air quality map in time for wildfire smoke season

With the 2024 wildfire season underway, the Washington Department of Ecology is launching an enhanced air quality monitoring map [ [link removed] ] to help Washingtonians track air pollution and take steps to protect their health and the health of their families. A new feature shows local air quality information for 16 communities where Ecology is working to expand air monitoring and?improve air quality [ [link removed] ] under the Climate Commitment Act. The fine particles in smoke can get into your eyes and lungs, causing or exacerbating health issues.

There are, however, steps you can take to guard against the effects of smoky air and keep indoor air clean. Examples include not burning candles or using air fresheners, and not sweeping or vacuuming unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter. For more information, visit the Department of Health's website [ [link removed] ].

It's not too late to be a hornet trapper

The Washington State Department of Agriculture's hornet team is fully staffed, but it?s not too late for you to become a citizen scientist [ [link removed] ]. Trapping began in July. Washington residents are still welcome to help monitor for northern giant hornets. You can build, hang, log and monitor a bottle trap to potentially catch hornets that will be active through November. For more on how the WSDA works to tackle these invasive pests, take a look at this video [ [link removed] ] from 2022.

EPA awards $19.9 million to Gonzaga University

The Biden-Harris administration's Environmental Protection Agency is giving Gonzaga University $19.9 million [ [link removed] ] to help Spokane residents prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change. The funds will be used to retrofit homes in Spokane with air-filtration systems and heat pumps. Federal funding like this is supercharging state efforts supported by Washington's Climate Commitment Act to help thousands more families install heat pumps and energy-efficient electric appliances. For more information on rebates and incentive programs, see Washington's Climate Action website [ [link removed] ].






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