Tri-State Steelheaders

What it reported doing in 2024

RESTORATION: The Mill Creek passage projects are a multi-year, multi-phase approach to improving fish passage in the six-mile flood control channel that runs through Walla Walla. Two miles of the flood control channel is a concrete lined section, which presents especially poor conditions for returning adult steelhead, Chinook salmon, and bull trout. With the completion of 2024's projects, about 85% of the concrete channel has been treated to improve passage. MILL CREEK FISH PASSAGE - 6TH AVE EXTENSION AND 5TH AVE BRIDGE REMOVALThe 6th Ave Extension project improved 1,200 feet of concrete channel for fish passage, adjoining previous work completed in 2016. The project creates depth and velocity conditions that improve passage for adults returning to spawn, and for juveniles out-migrating in spring. The 5th Ave bridge, which occurred in the project reach, prevented continuous treatment for passage in the project reach. However, the City of Walla Walla decided to remove the aging bridge and replace it with a pedestrian bridge. In partnership with the City and Walla Walla County, both projects were completed together in 2024, with funding from the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board and matching funds from the City. MILL CREEK FISH PASSAGE DESIGN GOSE ST FINAL DESIGNIn 2020, the flood of record on Mill Creek created a new fish passage barrier at the downstream end of the Mill Creek flood control channel. The stream bed scoured down about five feet, creating a barrier to adult salmon, steelhead, and bull trout trying to enter a fishway at the site. This design project started in 2022, engaging private, public, and government stakeholders to identify alternatives, and select a preferred alternative. In 2023, the preferred alternative was selected and developed to a conceptual design level. In 2024, the designs were advanced from conceptual to preliminary, with work continuing into 2025 to complete final designs. Design work in 2024 was funded by grants from Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Bonneville Power Administration, and Washington Department of Ecology. MILL CREEK FISH PASSAGE DESIGN 3RD TO COLVILLEWork started in 2024 to design passage in the last remaining untreated reach of the concrete channel, an underground section about 1,500 feet long. Funded by Washington Department of Ecology. BRIDGE TO BRIDGE RESTORATION PHASE 3The Bridge-to-Bridge project is intended to improve in-stream habitat, riparian habitat, and floodplain function on about two miles of the lower Walla Walla River. Phase 3 design work was completed in 2023 and grant for construction funding was awarded later that year. In 2024, project permitting was completed for construction planned in 2025.BREWER WETLANDThis 23-acre site has been improved with mitigation funding for impacts to regional wetlands. Starting in 2010, three new ponds created 1.25 acres of open water. In late 2015 and early 2016, five acres at the north end of the site were enclosed with deer fencing, seeded with a native grass mix, and planted with over 5,000 trees and shrubs. In 2017, AmeriCorps volunteers planted additional trees to replace initial plantings that did not survive. In 2024, site maintenance was conducted, primarily focused on weed control.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 97.2%; rating input score 97
• Program expense ratio: 97.2%; rating input score 97
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0%; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.2; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.5; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.6%; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 24% per year; rating input score 100; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 17.4% per year; rating input score 100; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.9% per year; rating input score 100; 50th percentile among comparable filings