Mitigation

2005 Status

1

Laws/Poleta Native Pasture E/M (220 acres)

This project consists of two pastures. One pasture is adjacent to and east of Hwy. 6 (160 acres). In the past, only the eastern half of this pasture has been effectively irrigated. The other pasture SE of Laws (60 acres) has not appeared to be fully irrigated in the past. Plant cover was poor, grasses were mainly limited to ditches, and weeds were prevalent. Management of the lease for these pastures changed recently, thus a site visit will be conducted in 2006 to assess plant cover.  LADWP did not separate the water use for this project from the McNally pasture projects for 2005-2006 runoff year, therefore combined water use reported for the Laws/Poleta native pastures and the McNally pastures was 1,269 acre-feet in the 2005 runoff year.

2

McNally Ponds and Native Pasture E/M (348 acres)

This project consists of ponds, a 100 acre native pasture east of the ponds, and two pastures (100 acres each) SE of the Laws museum. Ponds west of Hwy 6 received 1,522 acre-feet of water in runoff year 2005. LADWP has reported that management of this project includes supplying water to the ponds only when water is diverted from the Owens River to the McNally Canals. This management change has not been discussed with or approved by the Standing Committee. The 100-acre pasture had poor cover at the time of a field visit in 2004. Pastures on the east side of the river are completed and provide good grass cover. LADWP reported in 2005 that the water supply to this project and the Laws/Poleta project cannot be separated.

3

640 acres near Laws

The Standing Committee has not evaluated the need for mitigation of this area. Further, the expansion of the Desert Aggregates gravel mine operation includes 174 acres in the western part of this potential site.

4

300 acres Five Bridges area

In progress. Portions of the mitigation plan are being implemented; however, management changes have been made to some provisions without Technical Group approval. Providing a regular supply of surface water to the site has increased cover in some areas. The area north of the river appears to have declined in cover and requires attention. This area was not addressed in the mitigation plan.

5

Farmers Pond

Implemented and ongoing. Water supply for runoff year 2004 was 596 acre-feet.

6

140 acres near Laws

The Technical Group implemented a study plot in 2001 in lieu of planting container plants as required in the Mitigation Plan. Results of the study were provided in Nov. 2003. In 2005, LADWP reported they expanded and planted the drip irrigation study plots. No report of the extent, species, seed source, or methods has been provided. In 2002, LADWP's contractor conducted an additional revegetation study. LADWP reported in 2005, "the results of these studies were utilized to move forward with larger scale revegetation efforts at this site." The project area has decreased in size due to the irrigation project in Laws.

7

Laws Museum Pastures E/M (21 & 15 acres)

In progress. LADWP reported irrigation would begin in the summer or autumn of 2006.

8

Laws area

The County and LADWP are in disagreement over groundwater pumping and the need to operate the McNally canals to avoid impacts to vegetation. Monitoring of select vegetation parcels is ongoing.

9

Bishop Cone groundwater levels

Establish new monitoring sites prior to increased pumping.

Not implemented. Inyo County provided an outline to LADWP in June 2004 for evaluating additional monitoring and management of wells on the Bishop Cone. LADWP has not responded to this letter.

10

Bishop Cone flowing wells

Monitor flow rates from flowing wells and associated vegetation.

Not implemented. Inyo County provided an outline to LADWP in June 2004 for evaluating additional monitoring and management of wells on the Bishop Cone. LADWP has not responded to this letter.

11

Bishop Cone groundwater dependent vegetation

Not implemented. Inyo County provided an outline to LADWP in June 2004 for evaluating additional monitoring and management of wells on the Bishop Cone. LADWP has not responded to this letter.

12

Millpond Recreation Area

Implemented and ongoing.

13

Buckley Ponds

Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan needs to be developed.

14

120 acres near Bishop

In progress but behind schedule. Fencing has been installed. The Mitigation Plan provided for the implementation of test plots if vegetation did not naturally increase. Monitoring results between 1999 and 2003 showed little to no increase in perennial vegetation. Therefore, the Technical Group should have developed test plots in 2004 to develop effective revegetation methods. Instead, LADWP contracted with MWH for studies 2002.  In 2004, LADWP reported, "a drip irrigation system is being designed for this site" and that implementation of revegetation will commence one year after the projects at Big Pine 160 and Independence 123 are fully implemented and operating properly." No timeline is provided.

15

Saunders Pond

Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan needs to be developed.

16

Klondike Lake

Providing water to the lake is ongoing; however several management issues have not been addressed. The Technical Group began test water releases to the South Shore Habitat Area in 2005. LADWP installed a water delivery system and measuring device for the habitat area. It appears that it may not be possible to provide the allotted 200 acre-feet of water to the habitat area. The lake water allotment is not fully supplied every year and it is not clear how this impacts the habitat area water supply. ICWD would like lake levels reported to the Technical Group to assure that agreed upon levels are met.  In addition, ICWD is concerned that LADWP's rechannelization of Lyman Ditch in 2004 may adversely affect the project's native pastures adjacent to the ditch.  Water supply in the 2005 runoff year was reported by LADWP as 1,203 acre-feet.

17

Big Pine Northeast Regreening E/M (30 acres)

Not implemented. CEQA requirements have not been completed although LADWP reports that an archaeological survey has been conducted. The Technical Group has not completed mitigation plans for the site. ICWD revisions to LADWP's plan were sent 6/22/05.

18

Big Pine Ditch System

Implementation in progress. LADWP reports they have a contract to drill a new well in Bell Canyon to supply the project; however, the Technical Group has not been developing the evaluation criteria necessary prior to constructing the well.  

19

20 acres near Big Pine E/M

Not implemented and behind schedule. The Technical Group has not agreed on a plan or schedule although the MOU required that these be completed in 1998. Rather, LADWP has stated that "this potential E/M project will not be implemented at this time" because water supplied to E/M projects exceeds the amount pumped from E/M wells. LADWP has reported in their annual report (2006), "the plan is to fence the area in 2006-27 to … encourage natural revegetation. If this area does not revegetate naturally, it will be included with LADWP's ongoing revegetation efforts."

20

160 acres near Big Pine

Behind schedule. The site has been fenced. The Technical Group should have implemented test plots in 2001. LADWP's contractor implemented a revegetation study in 2002. The Mitigation Plan scheduled revegetation efforts to be expanded in 2006. LADWP reports that results of revegetation studies will be used to implement larger scale revegetation efforts but no schedule is provided.

21

Steward Ranch

Mitigation agreement is in place.

22

Big Pine general

LADWP did not provide a water-spreading plan for the Big Pine Wellfield in their annual operations plan. Therefore, It is not clear whether the groundwater mining limits provided by the Agreement are being met.

23

Fish Springs

Hatchery is in place and implementation of the LORP has been initiated. Hatchery water use for runoff year 2004-2005 was 18,832 acre-feet.

24

Tule Elk Field

Ongoing, although LADWP has decreased the water supply to this project.

25

Big and Little Seely

Ongoing, although an operations plan is needed.

26

Calvert Slough

LADWP reported that water would be provided to Calvert Slough in runoff year 2004 after seven years of not receiving water. It is not known whether LADWP plans to supply water in runoff year 2005.

27

Hines Spring

In process. A final mitigation plan was received mid-May 2006; however, implementation may be delayed. An ad hoc group is working with LADWP and ICWD to develop project plans.

28

80 acres (Taboose/Hines Spring area).

In progress. The entire impact area consists of 3 sites that total approx. 115 acres. Implementation at one site (Hines Spring South) had been delayed because it is dependent on plans for mitigating Hines Spring. This area is approx. 100 acres. Tin 54 is 0.3 acres.  108 alkali sacaton plants were planted in 1999. A drip irrigation system was installed and utilized every growing season although irrigation was reduced in 2004. Irrigation plans for the 2006-growing season are unknown. Past monitoring results demonstrate high survival of planted grasses thus far; however, the site vegetative cover decreased 0.9% between baseline, measured in 1999, prior to planting the alkali sacaton, and 2004. Perennial native vegetation cover was measured as 3.3% in 2004 far below the site goal of 33% cover. Because cover decreased and is below the site goal, transects will be run again in 2007.   Blk 16E is 7.2 acres. Transects run in 2005 resulted in higher perennial native vegetation, 8.4%, compared to 1999, 5.4%; however, shrubs are now the dominant species. The goal was to recover the site to an alkali meadow with 34% cover. Therefore, the Water Department recommends the Technical Group discuss options for shrub control and increasing grass cover.

29

Little Blackrock Spring

Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan is needed.  LADWP reports the water supply ditch, the Goodale Bypass Ditch, normally runs all year at less than 1 cfs, providing approx. 700 acre-feet a year.

30

Big Blackrock Springs

The fish hatchery is in place and implementation of the LORP has been initiated. Water use was 9,670 acre-feet in runoff year 2004.

31

Thibaut/Sawmill marsh habitat

The LORP serves as compensatory mitigation.  Project implementation began in Jan. 2006.

32

Independence Pasturelands E/M (610 acres)

The acreage of this project was changed from 610 to 470 acres without discussion or approval from the Standing Committee. LADWP decreased the water allotment from 1,825 acre-feet/year to 1,493 acre-feet/year.  However, they report that water use in runoff year 2004 was 2,489 acre-feet. Site topography prevents flood irrigation from reaching some portions of the project.

33

Billy Lake

Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan needs to be developed.

34

Independence East Side Regreening E/M (30 acres)

Not implemented. LADWP has completed the CEQA process for the project; however, the County is considering a new well location. A mitigation plan for the project has  not been completed. Comments on a draft mitigation plan was sent to LADWP on 6/22/06. Recently, LADWP stated  that the well is out to bid and that regreening will be implemented  on 2/3 of the area to accommodate a potential sports complex in the future.

35

Independence Woodlot  E/M (21 acres)

Implemented and ongoing. IMACA has been managing the project since 1997. An operations plan is needed based on management guidelines agreed to by Inyo Co. and LADWP.   LADWP reports that water supply during runoff year 2005 was 190 acre-feet.

36

Independence Springfield E/M (283 acres)

Implemented and ongoing. As noted below, approx. 40 acres were identified as still requiring mitigation. Water supply during runoff year 20050 was 519 acre-feet.

37

Additional 40 acres w/in springfield

Not implemented. The MOU required a plan and schedule by 1998; however these requirements have not been completed.

38

60 acres in S/S well field

One of the 3 sites that comprise this mitigation measure is behind schedule. The 3 sites total 115.2 acres. Ind 123 (28.4 acres) did not have test plots implemented in 2002 as scheduled in the Mitigation Plan. Ind 105 (13.6 acres) cover data increased from 1999 to 2001, thus no active revegetation activities are planned. The initial cover of 8.1% increased to 13.5%.  The goal for the site is 17% perennial native cover. The site will be re-sampled in 2006 to re-evaluate progress. Ind 131 (73.2 acres) had a Technical Group approved study implemented in Dec. 2001.  A final report from the consultant was received in March 2004.  LADWP's contractor, MWH, conducted additional test plots in 2002. The mitigation plan schedule provides that a plan for the entire site will be developed in 2007 and implemented in 2008.   

39

Shepherd Creek Alfalfa Field E/M (200 acres)

Implemented and ongoing on approximately 195 acres. LADWP reports that water supply for runoff year 2005 was 1,152 acre-feet.

40

Expand Shepherd Creek Alfalfa E/M (60 acres)

In August 2004, LADWP reported that data from transects run in the potential mitigation area showed an increase in vegetation cover from 18%, baseline, to 44% and thus no expansion of the Shepherd Creek E/M Project was necessary. The Technical Group has not discussed this determination.

41

Reinhackle Spring

Not implemented. The Technical Group has not developed a plan for monitoring the flows and spring dependent vegetation.

42

Lone Pine Ponds

Implemented and ongoing. This project will be included as part of the off-river lakes and ponds in the LORP.

43

Lone Pine East Side Regreening E/M (11 acres)

Implemented and ongoing. LADWP reported a combined water supply of 180 acre-feet for the Lone Pine "East" and "West" regreening projects for runoff year 2005.

44

Lone Pine West Side Regreening E/M  (7 acres)

Implemented and ongoing. LADWP reported a combined water supply of 180 acre-feet for the Lone Pine "East" and "West" regreening projects for runoff year 2005.

45

Lone Pine Woodlot E/M (12 acres)

Implemented and ongoing; however, management may have been modified without Standing Committee approval.  .  LADWP informed the Water Dept. in August 2004 that the project would no longer receive water during the non-irrigation season as practiced in the past. The project is currently managed by IMACA; however,an operation plan is needed based on management guidelines agreed to by Inyo and LADWP. LADWP reports water use was 100 acre-feet for runoff year 2005.

46

Richards Field E/M (189 acres)

Implemented and ongoing; however, management may have been modified without Standing Committee approval.  LADWP informed the Water Dept. in August 2004 that the project would no longer receive water during the non-irrigation season as practiced in the past. Water to this project is not measured separately from the park supply.  LADWP reports 2005 runoff year water use was 1,085 acre-feet for the park and the field.

47

Van Norman Field E/M (160 acres)

Create irrigated pasture.

Implemented and ongoing. A portion of the project is not capable of being irrigated due to the site topography. Inyo recommends an evaluation of this portion of the project. LADWP reports water use was 474 acre-feet in runoff year 2005.

48

Diaz Lake

Ongoing, however, an operations plan needs to be developed.

49

Lower Owens Rewatering Project E/M

Project water supply reduced in 1991 due to drought conditions. LADWP reports the water supply in runoff year 2005-2006 was 7,566 acre-feet. The LORP willsubsume this E/M project.

50

Lower Owens River Project

CEQA documentation was completed in Dec. 2005 andproject implementation began in Jan. 2006. A supplemental draft EIR for the brine pool transition area was released in Dec. 2005.

51

Meadow/riparian vegetation dependent on agricultural tailwater

The LORP serves as compensatory mitigation. See LORP status above.

52

Salt Cedar Control Program

Ongoing, program implemented in 1998. Approx. 28 mi. of the Owens River floodplain south of the aqueduct intake has been cleared of saltcedar.  The program also monitors and maintains cleared areas. The current program will not address the areas impacted by water spreading due to insufficient funding. Continuation of the salt cedar control program is dependent upon obtaining funding beyond that provided by LADWP.

53

Irrigated fields, including Cartago and Olancha

Ongoing. Irrigated lands are not directly monitored; instead, lessees are relied upon to indicate if there are changes in water for irrigation. 

54

Fish Springs, Big and Little Seely, and Big and Little Blackrock

The Technical Group does not have a plan for monitoring flow or vegetation at springs and seeps. Ecosystem Sciences completed a draft inventory of springs and seeps. According to the MOU, the inventory should provide baseline data adequate for monitoring change. ICWD provided extensive comments on the adequacy of the draft to Ecosystem Sciences. No revisions to the inventory were ever made.

55

Springs/Seeps

See status of named springs above.