To get the program started, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, I developed a mitigation plan that describes each site and sets out goals, strategies, and schedules for establishing native vegetation. The first task of the plan is to protect the sites from disturbance to encourage natural revegetation. Next, revegetation methods will be tested through small-scale plantings before expanding efforts (or plantings) over the entire site.

In 1998, the Inyo County Water Department and LADWP took the initial steps set out in the mitigation plan:
The boundaries of the revegetation areas were established using a global positioning system (GPS) device. This data will be used to construct fences at the sites and to map and track progress over time. LADWP expects to have 10 of the sites fenced by the end of 1999.

Seeds from 20 Owens Valley plant species were collected the first deposit to the revegetation program's "seed bank." The seeds can be drawn on as needed, allowing flexibility to plan without being dependent on the erratic nature of annual seed production. In the future, the bank will be expanded to include greater species diversity and seed quantities.

Alkali sacaton seeds were collected, and 100-150 plants will be grown out for planting in autumn 1999. The young grasses will be protected with shelters and hand irrigated for one to three years.

Above: Native black greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus),in a plant shelter at a pilot revegetation project near Independence. Photograph by Irene Yamashita.

A cooperative study was developed to test planting techniques and potential irrigation systems at two revegetation sites, one east of Big Pine and the other south of Independence. A consultant will be retained to conduct the tests.

In addition, monitoring of existing pilot revegetation projects continued in 1998:
1991 and 1996 plantings near Laws were monitored for survival. The 1991 study of fourwing saltbush is now focusing on long-term survival; data will be evaluated after the 2001 growing season. The 1996 planting was intended to increase the species diversity at the site. After two years, the survival rate of this planting is 53%. Six shrub species and two grass species appear to be promising candidates for future revegetation at this site.

A 1996 test planting near Independence was also intended to examine potential plant species for the area, in addition to testing a planting pattern that could encourage natural recruitment. Thus far, seven shrub species and one grass species appear to be surviving. Plants that have been on the site for two years have a 36% survival rate. In early 1996, ICWD staff planted cottonwoods, red willow, and birch along a disturbed section of McGee Creek that runs through Millpond Recreation Area. These trees were planted as cuttings, were protected with tree shelters, and have been monitored annually. This minimal input planting technique has had promising results. After two growing seasons, 76% of the cottonwoods and 54% of the willows have survived.