Introduction

Richland is located in sunny eastern Washington at the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers. The community offers an unparalleled combination of natural beauty and top-ranked city services that contributes to the high quality of life that our residents treasure. For many years, Richland was a small, sleepy farming village. Then in 1942, the federal government saw Richland's remote location, abundant water supply and mild weather as the right combination it needed for a portion of its Manhattan Project. Modern day Richland was born. In 1958, Richland was incorporated as a chartered First Class City, transforming itself from a federally controlled Atomic Energy Community to a city governed by self-rule. Through the years, Richland has become a full service city, providing general government services including police and fire protection, water, waste and electric utilities, parks and recreational activities, maintenance of city streets and public facilities, and library services.