Revegetation Plan continued:
In the following site descriptions, maps of numbered vegetation parcels were copied from and refer to the vegetation inventory conducted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) between the years 1984 to 1987.

Abandoned Agriculture
Groundwater Pumping
Potential Mitigation Sites
Enhancement/Mitigation Projects

Abandoned Agriculture (ABAG)

ABAG sites mapped in the EIR have similar features: the boundaries are well defined, the topography is level, soil horizons have been mixed, topsoil has likely blown away, and they have a sparse cover of weedy species. Most of the sites are large and surrounded by disturbed lands which further isolate the area from native seed sources. All the sites also have old irrigation canals, which will be investigated as a possible method to irrigate the revegetation projects. The three impact areas of this type described in the EIR are:

EIR Impact #	Site Location	Acres
10-18	Laws	139
10-16	South Bishop	124
10-19	Big Pine	209

Laws

This site is approximately 1 mi. SE of the town of Laws (Fig. 1). It was mapped by LADWP as parcel no. 118 consisting of 139 acres of ABAG on the Laws 7.5’ USGS quad (T6S R33E, SE1/4 Sec. 27,SW1/4SW1/4 Sec. 26, & NW1/4NW1/4 Sec.35) and is divided by Laws-Poleta Rd. Access is at the Upper McNally canal road which runs along the northeastern edge of the site

Currently the site is seasonally grazed by livestock. The sparse vegetation cover is predominantly Russian thistle, and some rabbitbrush is encroaching from the boundaries, especially down slope from the canals. Cottonwoods, tree and shrub willows, and fivehook bassia grow along the McNally canals and the Laws return ditch.

Soils at the site were mapped as a complex of Seaman (coarse-loamy, mixed (calcareous), thermic Typic Torriorthents) and Yellowrock (sandy, mixed, thermic Typic Torriorthents) soils with 2-5% slopes. Seaman soils occupy 70% of this map unit. Water permeability for both soils is similar (moderately rapid and rapid) and both are subject to severe wind erosion. Available water capacity is moderate for Seaman soil and low for Yellowrock soil. Management considerations listed by NRCS include limiting off-road vehicles, maintaining uniform plant cover, and they suggest using minimal tillage.

Current impediments to natural recruitment include wind erosion, potential rodent herbivory, livestock grazing, wind scouring, and weed infestation.

Goal: Revegetate the site with plant species found in the surrounding area. Because it is unknown what species existed on the site prior to agriculture, it is assumed the surrounding parcels represent the best estimate of those species that were present or could be used to successfully revegetate the site.

Quantifiable goals were based on 31 Great Basin Mixed Scrub and 25 Shadscale Scrub communities. Thus, the goals for native perennial plant species live cover is 11.5% composed of at least 11 different species. (See “Species List” above for descriptions of how communities were chosen for goal development.)

Priority: High – The site will be difficult because of its size, weedy cover, and severe wind erosion problems. Because rehabilitation may be slow, it would be prudent to begin work as soon as fencing can be accomplished.

Revegetation plan:

Although this parcel is listed as a high priority site, the implementation schedule is complicated by unresolved litigation and possible future adjustments or changes in lease boundaries. As a result the following target dates may not be feasible.

Eliminate disturbances (1998)

The site west of Laws-Poleta Rd. will be fenced along the lower McNally canal and along the irrigated pasture to the north. The east side requires fencing along both McNally canals and along the eastern edge.

Use container plants (start in 2000, transplant out 2001)

Container plants will be used because of the hazard of wind erosion on seedbeds and unsuccessful attempts at seeding previously (Yamashita and Manning 1997). However, additional studies may demonstrate that seeds can be used to establish plants successfully. Transplants will be installed in rows perpendicular to the wind to reduce wind erosion. Unless other studies indicate otherwise, plant protectors will be installed over selected species.

Site maintenance (2001 – ongoing)

Monitor (1999 – ongoing)

Species list:

The list for seed mixes and container plants included species from the following plant communities: Great Basin Mixed Scrub, Shadscale Scrub, Rabbitbush Scrub, Desert Sink Scrub, Nevada Saltbush Scrub, Desert Greasewood Scrub, and Desert Saltbush Scrub.

Shrubs/Forbs:

allscale saltbush1b
fourwing saltbush1b
Parry saltbush1b
Anderson wolfberry1b,4
indigo bush1b,2
rose four-o’clock1b
black greasewood1b
little horsebush1b
shadscale1b,2
bud sagebrush1b,2
longspine horsebush1b
spiny hopsage1b,2
button encelia3
needleleaf rabbitbrush1b
spiny menodora1b
desert alysum1b,3
Nevada dalea1b
winterfat1b,2
desert aster1b
Nevada ephedra1b

Grasses:

bottlebrush squirreltail1b
Indian ricegrass1b,2
saltgrass1b

South Bishop

This site is approximately 2 miles south of the town of Bishop (Fig. 2). It was mapped by LADWP as vegetation parcel no. 97, consisting of 124 acres of ABAG on the Bishop 7.5’ USGS quad (T7S R33E, SE1/4 Sec. 18 & NE1/4 Sec. 19). Historically, the site was planted in alfalfa until 1968 when it was abandoned. The site can be easily accessed from a canal road on the northern and eastern edge of the parcel.

Currently the site is used for seasonal livestock grazing. Although vegetation cover is minimal, in most years wind erosion appears minimized by the very sparse cover of weedy annuals and rabbitbrush which is encroaching from the edges, especially on the western portion.

Soils were mapped as Lucerne loamy fine sand, 0-2% slopes. The Lucerne soils are coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic Xeralfic Haplargids. Water permeability is moderately rapid with a low available water capacity. NRCS management concerns relevant to revegetation include minimizing soil tillage due to the wind erosion hazard and limiting off-road vehicle use.

Current impediments to natural recruitment include grazing, presence of weeds, and off-road vehicle use.

Goal: Revegetate the site with plant species found in surrounding areas. Because it is unknown what species existed on the site before impact, it is assumed the surrounding parcels represent the best estimate of those species that were present or could be used to successfully revegetate the site.

Great Basin Mixed Scrub was chosen as an appropriate target community for revegetating this site. Thus, the target for native perennial plant species live cover is 15% composed of at least 12 different species. Live cover was derived from the average live cover of 52 Great Basin Mixed Scrub parcels and by taking approximately half the combined number of perennial species from these parcels.

Priority: Low – This site was given low priority because it has a sparse but uniform cover of annuals which help stabilize the soil, it does not have aggressive weedy plant species, and it has natural recruitment occurring along the periphery.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances (1999).

A fence runs parallel to Hwy. 395 and on the northern edge parallel to the A1 drain. To create an exclosure, a fence will be constructed on the eastern border parallel to the Bishop Creek Canal and along the south. This will require approximately one mile of fencing.

This site will provide an opportunity to observe the results of using site protection as a revegetation method.

Create test plots if vegetation does not naturally increase after 5 years of site protection (2004).

If no progress towards rehabilitation is occurring, test plots will be used to determine the best method of revegetation. These studies are expected to emphasize seeding if it has proven successful at other sites. Minimizing wind erosion will be emphasized in seedbed preparation.

Study plots will be irrigated although the method is not yet determined. Potential water sources are the A1 drain, well 141, or transporting water to the site.

After five years (2009) of testing, the most successful species and planting method will be used to revegetate the entire site.

Site maintenance (as needed)

Monitor (2000 – ongoing)

Species list:

This list for seed mixes and container plants includes species from the following plant communities located within 5 miles of the parcel: Great Basin Mixed Scrub, Big Sagebrush Scrub, Rabbitbrush Scrub, Desert Saltbush Scrub, Desert Sink Scrub, Greasewood Scrub, Shadscale Scrub and Nevada Saltbush Scrub. All species except two were found in the Great Basin Mixed Scrub communities.

Shrubs/Forbs:

allscale saltbush1b
desert aster1b
Nevada dalea1b
black greasewood1b
fourwing saltbush1b,2,3
Nevada ephedra1b
bud sagebrush1b
indigo bush1b
shadscale1b
burrobush1b
little horsebush1b
spiny hopsage1b
Calif. buckwheat1b
longspine horsebush1b
spiny menodora1b
Cooper’s goldenbush1b
needleleaf rabbitbrush1b
winterfat1b

Grasses:

bottlebrush squirreltail1b
Great Basin wildrye2
saltgrass1b
desert needlegrass1b
Indian ricegrass1b

Big Pine

This site is located directly east of the Big Pine Indian Reservation on the eastern edge of the town of Big Pine and is easily accessed from the Big Pine canal road (Fig. 3). The EIR describes two revegetation sites within the same vegetation parcel no. 160, 211 acres of ABAG on the Big Pine 7.5’ USGS quad (T9S R34E, SE1/4 Sec.17, SW1/4 Sec.16). The area was planted with alfalfa in 1924 prior to purchase by LADWP; more recent agricultural history is unknown. A site visit to determine the boundaries for mitigation and fence perimeter resulted in a 209 acre area that will be protected for revegetation activities.

The eastern portion of the parcel, “East Big Pine,” is intended to be “evaluated as a potential E/M project, however, if permanent irrigation is deemed infeasible, it will be revegetated with native plants” according to the EIR. Because it is within the same parcel as the revegetation area, mitigation would be same for both sites. East Big Pine is listed in the “potential mitigation” section because of its E/M status.

Currently the site is grazed by livestock. There is usually a fairly uniform cover of native and exotic annuals. The density and vigor of native shrubs on the perimeter of the site is poor and Russian thistle, locust, elm, and saltcedar are present. Big sagebrush, Nevada saltbush, fourwing saltbush, and black greasewood, are becoming established in parts of the impact area.

Soils at the site were mapped as a complex of Hesperia (coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic, nonacid Xeric Torriorthents) and Cartago (sandy, mixed, thermic Xeric Torriorthents) soils with 0-5% slopes. Hesperia soil comprises 65% of this map unit. Soil characteristics are fairly similar with moderately rapid to rapid permeability, moderate to low available water capacity, and moderate to severe wind erosion hazard, on Hesperia and Cartago, respectively. Management concerns relevant to revegetation are potential wind erosion if tilled and low available water capacity, especially on Cartago soils.

Current impediments to natural recruitment include grazing, invasion of weedy plant species, and some off-road vehicle use. Because the perimeter shrubs are sparse and mixed with annual weeds, there will be a constant source of weed seeds from the bordering communities.

Goal: Revegetate the site with plant species found in the surrounding area. Because it is unknown what species existed on the site prior to agricultural use, it is assumed the surrounding parcels represent the best estimate of those species that were present or could be used to successfully revegetate the site.

The live cover goal of 17.7% for this site was averaged between Great Basin Mixed Scrub, Desert Sink Scrub, and Shadscale Scrub communities. The composition goal for the site is ten perennial species.

Priority: Medium – Because of its large size, experimentation on seeding with minimal soil disturbance may be appropriate here. Because of the time required to evaluate a new technique, the test project should be started soon.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances (1998).

The site will be fenced along the eastern border and partially along the northern borders.

Conduct more specific soil characterization (1999).

Evaluate the potential for wind erosion if preparing seedbeds.

Create test plots (grow plants in 2000, plant in 2001).

If wind erosion potential appears low to moderate, test plots may include seeding. Disturbed soil may be covered with wood chips, if necessary, to reduce wind erosion.

Containerized shrubs may be tested for effectiveness as windrows. Shrubs and grasses may be planted between seeded rows and be protected with wind fences or individual shelters. If wind erosion hazard is severe then transplants will be used in lieu of seeding. Plant material will be irrigated.

After 5 years (2006) these methods will be expanded over a larger area based on the results of the test plots.

Use soil amendments (2001)

If plant establishment remains difficult, or soil characterization demonstrates a need, soil amendments will be tested. Products and their use would need to be investigated.

Site maintenance (2001 – ongoing) Monitor (1999 – ongoing)

Species list:

This list for seed mixes and container plants includes species for the following plant communities located within 5 miles of the parcel: Great Basin Mixed Scrub, Shadscale Scrub, Desert Sink Scrub, Nevada Saltbush Scrub, and Rabbitbrush Scrub.

Shrubs/Forbs:

allscale saltbush1b
indigo bush1b,2
Parry saltbush1b
black greasewood1b
little horsebush1b
shadscale1b,2
bud sagebrush1b,2
longspine horsebush1b
spiny hopsage1b,2
burrobush1b
Nevada dalea1b
spiny menodora1b
Cooper’s goldenbush1b
Nevada ephedra1b,2
winterfat1b,2
fourwing saltbush1b,2

Grasses:

alkali sacaton1b
desert needlegrass1b,2
saltgrass1b
bottlebrush squirreltail1b,2
Indian ricegrass1b,2

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