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Status of Mitigation Projects

The 1991 EIR provided 55 mitigation projects, listed in the table below.  Site-specific mitigation projects are shown on the following map.   Click on a mitigation project to view the project details and current implementation status.


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Mitigation 2007 Status
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 also had poor plant cover.  LADWP does not separate the water use for this project from the McNally pasture projects, therefore combined water use reported for the two projects was 1,396 acre-feet with 305 acre-feet of conveyance losses in the 2007 runoff year.
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 0 acre-feet of water in runoff year 2007. In the past, 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 provide good grass cover. See above for water supply in 2007, LADWP reports that the water supply to this project and the Laws/Poleta project cannot be separated.
640 acres near Laws The Standing Committee has not evaluated the need for mitigation of this area. The Desert Aggregates gravel mine expansion included 174 acres of the western portion of this potential site.
300 acres Five Bridges area In progress. Management changes have been made to some provisions of the mitigation plan 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. LADWP reports two permanent transects measured perennial cover of 61% and 70% in 2007; however, the revegetation plan goals did not base mitigation attainment on the two permanent transects.  Vegetation cover goals should be demonstrated over the larger area. Methods and analysis for measuring goal attainment should be developed and agreed to by the Technical Group.
Farmers Pond Implemented and ongoing. Water supply for runoff year 2006 between Oct and Jan was 517 acre-feet.
140 acres near Laws The Technical Group implemented a 10 acre 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 plot. No results of this planting effort have been presented to the Technical Group.
Laws Museum Pastures E/M (21 & 15 acres) Implemented. LADWP completed a sprinkler irrigation system in 2006.  In 2007, the project received 147 acre-feet of water.
Laws area The County and LADWP are currently revising groundwater management procedures contained in the Long-Term Water Agreement.  Monitoring of select vegetation parcels is ongoing.
Bishop Cone Not implemented. Inyo County provided an outline to LADWP April 2004 for evaluating the potential impacts of increased groundwater extraction on the Bishop Cone.  LADWP has not commented on the outline but recently (3/20/07) requested a meeting to conduct a hydrological evaluation of the Bishop Cone.
Millpond Recreation Area E/M Implemented and ongoing.
Buckley Ponds Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan needs to be developed.
120 acres near Bishop Behind schedule. Fencing has been installed. Monitoring results between 1999 and 2003 showed little to no increase in perennial vegetation. The Mitigation Plan provided for the implementation of test plots if vegetation did not naturally increase. Therefore, the Technical Group should have developed test plots in 2004 to develop effective revegetation methods. Instead, LADWP utilized their contractor, MWH, to conduct revegetation studies in 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 schedule or plan has been provided to the Technical Group.
Saunders Pond Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan needs to be developed. This project does not have a management plan nor is it clear whether LADWP considers this project a mitigation measure.
Klondike Lake E/M Providing water to the lake is ongoing; however, several management issues need to be 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. Because of the low gradient and build up of vegetation, it has been difficult to provide the allotted 200 acre-feet of water to the habitat area. However, the project description for the lake includes a water allotment of 1,700 acre-feet which is not met regularly and a lake elevation range which has no reporting requirements. Therefore, it is not clear whether meeting the allotted water supply or elevation levels would increase flow to habitat area. A report on the 2007 releases to the habitat area have not been received by the Technical Group (July 22, 2008). The Water Department recommends that a reporting procedure for lake levels be developed by the Technical Group. In addition, ICWD is concerned that LADWP's rechannelization of Lyman Ditch in 2004 may adversely affect the native pastures adjacent to the ditch. Water supply in the 2007 runoff year as reported by LADWP was 1,201 acre-feet. 
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. LADWP's annual report (May 2008) states CEQA filing and work will begin in 2008 although the Technical Group has not approved a mitigation plan for the site. ICWD revisions to LADWP's plan were sent 6/22/05.
Big Pine Ditch System Implementation in progress. Construction for the ditch system is nearly complete. Potential impacts from pumping water for the ditch above that necessary for the town water supply will be evaluated by the Technical Group. A new well in Bell Canyon was described as a potential future water source for the ditch system. LADWP reports 372 acre-feet of water were used for the ditch system in 2007.
20 acres near Big Pine E/M Not implemented. The Technical Group has not agreed on a plan or schedule although the MOU required plans be completed in 1998. LADWP reported a fence was constructed in 2007. LADWP describes, "If this area does not revegetate naturally, it will be included with LADWP's ongoing revegetation efforts." However, no schedule or plan for making this determination has been provided to the Technical Group.
160 acres near Big Pine Behind schedule. The site has been fenced. Perennial native vegetation cover in 1991 was 2.3% and 3.1% in 2006. The Mitigation Plan scheduled revegetation test plots in 2001 and expansion of planting in 2006. Instead, LADWP's contractor implemented a revegetation study in 2002. LADWP reports that results of the revegetation studies will be used to implement larger scale revegetation efforts.  However, a report on the studies showed little to no success and LADWP has not provided a plan or schedule to the Technical Group.
Steward Ranch Mitigation agreement is in place.
Big Pine general The County and LADWP are currently revising groundwater management procedures contained in the Long-Term Water Agreement.  Monitoring of select vegetation parcels is ongoing.
Fish Springs Hatchery is in place and implementation of the LORP has been initiated. Hatchery water use for runoff year 2007 was 19,909 acre-feet.
Tule Elk Field Ongoing, although recent changes in management may be in violation of the Long-Term Water Agreement and 1991 EIR because LADWP has decreased the water supply to this project. The reduction in water supply has reduced vegetation cover in the field and adjacent meadows as indicated by satellite imagery.
Big and Little Seeley Ongoing, although an operations plan is needed. For example, there are no clear project goals or guidelines regarding operations and management.
Calvert Slough LADWP supplied water to Calvert Slough in 2004 after seven years of no water supply. It is not known whether water has been supplied since 2004. This project does not have a management plan nor is it clear whether LADWP considers this project a mitigation measure.
Hines Spring In process. A final mitigation plan was developed by consultants and received May 2006; however, project implementation was replaced by the formation of an ad hoc group. The group is developing a plan for the spring. No schedule for completion has been presented.
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) has been delayed because it is dependent on plans for mitigating Hines Spring. This area is approx. 100 acres. Tin 54 is 0.3 acres. Vegetation cover has decreased 0.9% between 1999 and 2004. Perennial native vegetation cover was measured as 3.3% in 2004 far below the site goal of 33% cover. Activities at the site include planting 108 alkali sacaton plants in 1999 and installing a drip irrigation system. LADWP reports irrigation was eliminated after 2004. No monitoring has taken place since 2004. 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.
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.
Big Blackrock Springs The fish hatchery and the LORP serve as compensatory mitigation. The hatchery is in place and implementation of the LORP has been initiated. Hatchery water use was 12,732 acre-feet in 2007.
Thibaut/Sawmill marsh habitat The LORP serves as compensatory mitigation and is in the process of implementation.
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. Accordingly, LADWP decreased the water allotment from 1,825 acre-feet/year to 1,493 acre-feet/year. DWP reports water use in runoff year 2007 was 3,272 acre-feet. Site topography prevents flood irrigation from reaching some portions of the project.
Billy Lake Implemented and ongoing, although an operations plan needs to be developed.
Independence East Side Regreening E/M (30 acres) Not implemented. LADWP completed CEQA and obtained approval from their Board in May 2005. However, the County requested the location for the new project well be changed so that it can also be used to supplement the town water supply. The County has assumed responsibility for filing the necessary CEQA documents. The Technical Group has not approved a mitigation plan. Comments on a draft mitigation plan were sent to LADWP on 6/22/06. In their annual report, LADWP stated that the irrigation system will be implemented on 2/3 of the area to accommodate a potential sports complex in the future as requested by Inyo County.
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 2007 was 237 acre-feet.
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 2007 was 1,962 acre-feet.
Additional 40 acres w/in springfield Not implemented. The MOU required schedule for a plan by 1998 has not been met. LADWP reported implementation will begin in 2008; however, the Technical Group has not reviewed or approved a mitigation plan.
60 acres in S/S well field One of the three sites that comprise this mitigation measure are 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. Perennial vegetation cover measured by LADWP in 2006 was 16.4% compared to 4.8% in 2001. The mitigation goal is 17%. Ind 105 (13.6 acres) perennial vegetation cover data increased from 1999, 8.1%, to 2006, 25.2% meeting both the mitigation cover and composition goals. Ind 131 (73.2 acres) had a Technical Group approved study implemented in Dec. 2001 and a final report was received in March 2004.  LADWP's contractor, MWH, conducted additional test plots in 2002. Perennial native cover in 2001 was 3.7% and 8.2% in 2006. The perennial cover goal is 17%. The mitigation plan schedule provides that a site plan will be developed in 2007 and implemented in 2008.  No plan has been provided to the Technical Group.
Shepherd Creek Alfalfa Field E/M (200 acres) Implemented and ongoing. LADWP reports that water supply for runoff year 2007 was 1,100 acre-feet.
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 or approved this determination.
Reinhackle Spring Not implemented. The Technical Group has not developed a plan for monitoring the flows and spring dependent vegetation.
Lone Pine Ponds Implemented and ongoing. This project is included as part of the off-river lakes and ponds in the LORP.
Lone Pine East Side Regreening E/M (11 acres) Implemented and ongoing. LADWP reported a combined water supply of 232 acre-feet for the Lone Pine 'East' and 'West' regreening projects for runoff year 2007.
Lone Pine West Side Regreening E/M  (7 acres) Implemented and ongoing. LADWP reported a combined water supply of 232 acre-feet for the Lone Pine 'East' and 'West regreening projects for runoff year 2007.
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 78 acre-feet for runoff year 2007.
Richards Field E/M (160 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 2007 runoff year water use was 570 acre-feet for Lone Pine Riparian Park and this field.
Van Norman Field E/M (160 acres) Implemented and ongoing. A portion of the project is not capable of being irrigated due to the topography. Inyo recommends an evaluation of this portion of the project. LADWP reports water use was 306 acre-feet in runoff year 2007.
Diaz Lake Ongoing, however, an operation plan needs to be developed. This project does not have a management plan nor is it clear whether LADWP considers this project a mitigation measure.
Lower Owens Rewatering Project E/M The LORP (below) replaces this E/M project.
Lower Owens River Project CEQA documentation was completed in Dec. 2005. Water was released at the intake for the project in Dec. 2006 and the first seasonal habitat flow was initiated in February 2008.
Meadow/riparian vegetation dependent on agricultural tailwater The LORP serves as compensatory mitigation. See LORP status above.
Salt Cedar Control Program Ongoing, program funded by LADWP and implemented by Inyo. Approx. 62 mi. of the Owens River floodplain south of the aqueduct intake to the delta has been cleared of saltcedar, thus the program expanded its efforts to approx. 100 acres outside the river floodplain in 2007. The program also monitors and maintains cleared areas. Continuation of the salt cedar control program is dependent upon obtaining funding beyond that provided by LADWP.
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 irrigation water supply.
Springs/Seeps 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. The MOU described that the inventory would provide baseline data adequate for monitoring change to species and/or their habitats. ICWD provided extensive comments on the adequacy of the draft to Ecosystem Sciences. No revisions to the inventory were ever made.