Crews remove Water Stargrass from the Yakima River to save Salmon and bring balance to the ecosystem

BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – A pilot project is underway to improve conditions for salmon and other native species in the Yakima River. Crews are working to combat water stargrass , a plant that has taken over parts of the river.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife , Yakama Nation Fisheries and the Benton Conservation District are among the organizations involved in the effort.

Troy Maikis from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife explained the issue.

"Water stargrass is a native plant to Washington and to the Yakima River. It likes clear, slow-moving water. So with the clearing up and slowing down of the water in the Yakima River, it's allowed to have a foothold."

Marcella Appel, Benton Conservation District manager, said the water stargrass problem was first