The I-82 unit consists of 980 acres located along the Yakima River in Yakima County in 17 separate parcels that form a narrow, discontinuous strip of ownership stretching from Union Gap to the Zillah interchange along Interstate 82. These parcels include a narrow, but high quality woody riparian corridor that transitions into dryland habitat. They provide public access to the river and to several ponds that were created when borrow pits for the interstate flooded with groundwater. Open water and wetlands comprise about 25 percent of the area. The Yakima River accounts for some of the open water in the form of backwater sloughs as well as the main riparian habitat, which is dominated by hardwoods mostly in the form of cottonwood trees. This habitat offers excellent nesting, brooding and winter cover for both waterfowl and upland birds. It�s also an important corridor for neotropical migrants and resident non-game birds. In addition to natural ponds, several man-made ponds have developed public access facilities that are unfortunately often overused and abused.