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Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) - Kittitas CD
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Program level:
National
Provider:
Kittitas Conservation District
Benefits provided:
Financial
Land use:
Agriculture, Forest
Water-focused program:
Yes
A co-investment with NRCS to implement projects with innovative solutions to concerns in watersheds, on-farm lands, and regional natural resources.
Overview
Description:
This project addresses critical needs for integrated conservation and restoration of watersheds in the Upper Yakima River in Central Washington. The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (YBIP) is a 30-year water resiliency plan to:
- protect and enhance fish and natural resources,
- improve water availability and reliability,
- establish more efficient water markets,
- manage the variability of water supplies, and
- prepare for the uncertainties of climate change through operational and structural changes throughout the watershed.
RCPP project actions are grouped into 3 types: irrigation efficiency, habitat restoration and water quality.
- Habitat actions will increase stream miles available for safe fish passage by removing barriers and screening irrigation diversions and restore riparian habitat.
- Irrigation efficiency actions include piping/lining open ditches, reducing/eliminating irrigation return flows and the installation of water measurement/management structures.
- Water quality actions include eliminating irrigation return flows into steelhead waters and improving riparian habitat conditions.
These actions will have a positive cumulative effect on ESA threatened species Mid-Columbia Steelhead, a critical species of cultural and ecological importance and will have a positive cumulative effect on irrigation water availability.
Eligibility:
RCPP projects must be carried out on agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land or associated land on which NRCS determines an eligible activity would help achieve conservation benefits (i.e., improved condition of natural resources resulting from implementation of conservation activities).
Once NRCS selects a project and executes an RCPP agreement with a lead partner, agricultural producers may participate in an RCPP project in one of two ways. First, producers may engage with project partners and delegate a willing partner to act as their representative in working with NRCS. Second, producers seeking to carry out conservation activities consistent with a RCPP project in the project’s geographic area can apply directly to NRCS.
Financial benefit:
RCPP funding is divided evenly among two funding pools: Critical Conservation Areas, and State/Multistate Areas.
The Critical Conservation Area funding pool is for projects within the eight geographic regions chosen by the Secretary of Agriculture. These receive 50 percent of funding. Learn more about RCPP Critical Conservation Areas.
The State/Multistate Areas funding pool is for projects in a single state or across several states. These receive 50 percent of funding.
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
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