Yakima Basin Integrated Plan—A collaborative partner's perspective

Abstract

AbstractResilience to climate change is not a process that can be done single‐handedly. Centring the focus around building both a climate‐resilient system and well‐rounded partnerships, the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD), Washington State, USA, as part of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (YBIP), has been successful in mitigating water scarcity in the Kittitas Valley and benefitting the larger Yakima River Basin. By using collaborative governance, a decision‐making process that breaks down barriers and engages people across the boundaries of public agencies, different levels of government and the public, the KRD has modified its long‐term operational goals. The priority is now to establish if a proposed project can provide benefits to other interests and their water needs throughout the Yakima River Basin. We must work together to look at the big picture of a large geographical area in an effort to solve multiple water issues through a single project. As part of YBIP, the goals come to fruition through comprehensive planning for water conservation and the established relationships the partners have with each other. We work together using trust, respect and civility to move towards action and acknowledging that achieving our goals is made possible through collaboration. Opportunities to work together are sought out and taken so that water conservation and other water resiliency projects can be funded and implemented as quickly as possible in an effort to plan for future water scarcity. Protecting the certainty of the water supply for the future of the farms and the ecosystem is of utmost importance.