Inyo County
Water Department

Revegetation Plan continued:
Potential Mitigation Sites

Six sites in the Laws wellfield were identified in the EIR as candidates
for "selective mitigation" that would not interfere with water
management activities and would require approval from the Inyo/Los
Angeles Standing Committee. Past, and in some cases, current
impacts to these sites include a combination of groundwater pumping,
abandoned agriculture, water spreading, fires, and "other factors."

Another group of four sites were slated to be mitigated by re-greening
projects (three sites) or converted to alfalfa (E. Shepherd Creek).
However, at the East Big Pine site, if re-greening is deemed infeasible,
then the secondary goal is to revegetate with native plants. These four
sites are addressed in this plan as potential mitigation sites if
circumstances lead to a change in the mitigation goal.

Because of the potential nature of these sites, they were not addressed
as thoroughly as those in the previous sections. Half of the six sites in
the Laws wellfield are low priority because the existing vegetation
cover appears to keep wind erosion and weed invasion low. The
other three show signs of wind erosion and will be addressed after
mitigation has begun on high priority ABAG and groundwater
impacted sites. Site goals are only qualitative and boundaries were not
delineated from field visits; maps presented in this report are from the
EIR. Also, the E/M sites were not given a priority designation or
species list.
Impact # Site Location Acres
10-18 Laws 33 93
  Laws 36 99
  Laws 88 136
  Laws 82 36
  Jean Blanc Rd. 258
  Laws return ditch (124) 62
10-19 Northeast Big Pine 30*
10-19 East Big Pine 20*
10-11 E. Independence 30*
10-11 E. Shepherd Creek 60*

* denotes acreage given in the EIR

There are six distinct Laws sites, the first four are named by their
vegetation parcel number and are easily accessed from Hwy. 6 (Fig.
8)
. All the sites, with the exception of a portion of the Jean Blanc Rd.
site are located on the Laws USGS 7.5’ quad.

Laws 33

This site was mapped by LADWP as a 93 acre Nevada Saltbush
Scrub, parcel no. 33 (T6S R33E, NW1/4NW1/4 and
SW1/4NW1/4, Sec. 23) with 19% live cover. However, 50% of the
plant composition consisted of Russian thistle and fivehook bassia,
45% and 5% respectively. The site can be accessed from a canal road
off Hwy. 6. The site has sparse to dense native vegetation scattered
throughout the parcel but there are areas that remain barren.
Revegetation efforts will be limited to identifiable barren areas.

This site is split between two soil map units, a complex of Sabies
(fine-loamy, mixed (calcareous), thermic Xeric Torriorthents) and
Yaney (coarse-loamy, ashy (calcareous), thermic Vitrandic
Torrifluvents) soils and an association of Yaney and Yaney soils. (The
two Yaney soils vary in surface textures, one is sandy and the other is
loamy.) All have moderate to moderately rapid water permeability,
high available water capacity, and moderate (Sabies-Yaney) or severe
(Yaney-Yaney) wind erosion. Limiting off-road vehicles and careful
grazing management to preserve plant cover and prevent soil erosion
were recommended for both soil units.

The high cover of weedy species and grazing are constraints to
revegetating the site.

Goal: Assist expansion of native plant species that already exist on the
site onto barren areas .

Priority: Low – Wind erosion doesn’t appear to be a problem at this
site. There is also an adequate seed source on site. This site is slated
for protection in 2001 if approved by the Standing Committee,
however, unresolved litigation may complicate revegetation plans.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances

Site protection will be the main revegetation activity until monitoring
indicates the need for further action.

Monitor

If protection produces no apparent positive changes then additional
plans will include weed control, protecting natural recruitment if helpful
in other areas, and possibly planting or seeding native plants.

Species list for Laws 33, 36, 88, and 82 sites:

This list for seed mixes and container plants includes species from the
following plant communities: Great Basin Mixed Scrub, Shadscale
Scrub, Desert Sink Scrub, Rabbitbrush Scrub, Rabbitbrush Meadow,
Nevada Saltbush Scrub, and Desert Greasewood Scrub.

Shrubs/Forbs:

allscale saltbush1b
indigo bush1b
Nevada ephedra1b
black greasewood1b
little horsebush1b
Parry saltbush1b
bud sagebrush1b
longspine horsebush1b
shadscale1b
desert alysum1b
Nevada dalea1b

Grasses:

alkali sacaton1b
Indian ricegrass2
saltgrass1b


Laws 36

This site was mapped as parcel no. 36 (T6S R33E, NE1/4 and SE1/4
Sec. 9), 99 acres of Desert Sink Scrub with 19% live cover, 58% of
the cover is Russian thistle. This site is accessible from Hwy. 6. Much
of the area is used for surface water spreading, and in anticipation of
water spreading in 1993, the soil was ripped, although no water was
spread on the site.

The soil at this site was mapped as a Yaney-Yaney association that
was described in the previous description, Laws 33.

Currently, there is perennial native vegetation between the ripped
areas which could provide a seed source but occasional ripping as
well as wind erosion is likely a serious obstacle to recruitment.

Goal: Develop a procedure that allows for continued surface water
spreading without leaving barren ground. This procedure needs to
accommodate both spreading and non-spreading years as in 1993,
when high runoff is anticipated but ripped areas are not subsequently
wetted.

Priority: High – This site has high wind erosion when ripped and not
wetted. This site is slated for fencing in 2000 if approved by the
Standing Committee, however, unresolved litigation may change
revegetation plans.

Revegetation plan:

Remove disturbances on water spreading areas

Fence water spreading areas to keep soil erosion to a minimum and
potentially allow vegetation to cover the soil after water is evaporated.

Seed

Develop a mix of plants species to be spread on ripped soil both
during spreading and after water has begun to evaporate. Initially no
additional irrigation will be used.

Monitor

This site will be carefully monitored for the presence of tamarisk and
perennial pepperweed. If these weed species are found, weed control
will be implemented immediately.

Laws 88

This area was mapped as parcel no. 88 (T6S R33E, SW1/4, Sec.
15), 136 acres of Desert Sink Scrub with 14% live cover. Russian
thistle was the dominant species and tamarisk composed 1% of the
plant cover. Approximately 1/3 of the parcel has been leveled for
agriculture, but the remaining section has retained a natural
topography. Some of the shrubs and grasses near the northern border
receive tailwater from irrigation. Two irrigation canals on the site have
cottonwoods and willows growing on the edges. Natural recruitment
of native grasses and shrubs is occurring. Weeds include Russian
thistle, tamarisk, annual Atriplex, and fivehook bassia. Much of the
site has an acceptable cover of vegetation, although there are spots
that remain barren. Revegetation efforts should assist natural
recruitment and only be necessary in the barren areas.

The soil at this site was mapped as a Sabies-Yaney complex that was
described in the previous description, Laws 33.

Goal, Priority, Revegetation plan and Species list: Same as Laws 33
with the addition of:

Conduct more site specific soil characterization.

On-site soil characterization and/or fertility tests will be conducted
because of mineral toxicity reported by lessee.

Laws 82

This site was mapped as parcel no. 82 (T6S R33E, SE1/4NE1/4,
Sec. 16), 36 acres of Rabbitbrush Meadow with 18% live cover.
Russian thistle made up 13% of the plant composition when mapped.
The site has many shrub islands between barren areas and the
vegetation parcel boundaries are indistinct on the ground. Although the
site has not been leveled, historically the area was disturbed by tracks
for the narrow gauge railroad which is still visible on aerial photos.

The soil at this site was mapped as a Sabies-Yaney complex that was
described in the previous description, Laws 33.

On-going disturbances include heavy equipment, wind erosion,
groundwater pumping, and grazing. Extending west beyond this
mapped site into parcel 81, there are similar barren areas which could
also benefit from rehabilitation.

Goal, Priority, Revegetation plan, and Species list: Same as Laws 33

Jean Blanc Rd.

This site contains areas impacted by both abandoned agriculture and
groundwater pumping (Fig. 8). Parcels in this area include - on the
Laws 7.5’ USGS quad: vegetation parcel no. 75 (T6S R33E,
SW1/4SE1/4, Sec. 17), mapped as 30 acres of ABAG; no. 76 (T6S
R33E, SE1/4SE1/4 Sec. 17), 10 acres of 7% live cover of Desert
Greasewood Scrub; and no. 77 (T6S R33E, SW1/4SW1/4, Sec.
16), 31 acres of ABAG. The Fish Slough quad includes vegetation
parcel no. 34 (T6S R33E, SW1/4, Sec. 17, NW1/4 Sec. 20), with
153 acres of ABAG and parcel 33 (T6S R33E, NE1/4SW1/4 Sec.
17), 34 acres that were formerly the Laws treelot.

The impacts at these vegetation parcels appear to have been
exacerbated by drought, groundwater pumping, and grazing. A nearby
exclosure demonstrates higher plant cover and mulch inside the fenced
plot compared to surrounding areas.

Soils were mapped as a complex of Goodale (sandy-skeletal, mixed,
thermic Xeric Torriorthents) and Yaney (coarse-loamy, ashy
(calcareous), thermic Vitrandic Torrifluvent) soils. Sixty five percent of
the map unit is composed of Goodale soils and similar inclusions and
20% is Yaney soils and similar inclusions. Although both soils have
moderately rapid to moderate permeability and high salinity and
sodicity, they differ in available water capacity and hazard of wind
erosion. The Goodale soils have low available water capacity and
severe hazard of wind erosion, in contrast to the Yaney soils with high
available water capacity and slight wind erosion hazard. Management
recommendations include limiting off-road vehicles and careful grazing
management.

Goal: Revegetate the site with plant species found on site and in the
surrounding areas.

Priority: High – This site will require several years of experimentation
to develop effective techniques because of its large size and saline
soils. It is anticipated that this site will be fenced in 2000 if approved
by the Standing Committee.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances.

Fencing will be critical to revegetation success and should be
constructed as soon as feasible.

Conduct more site specific soil characterization

On-site soil characterization and fertility tests will be conducted if they
have proven useful at other sites.

Use container plants in test plots

Plant protectors or mulch will be used to protect transplants.

Use mulch

Mulch will be spread in rows to catch soil, seeds, and litter and to
protect transplants.

Seed

A variety of species will be seeded in the autumn using the drill seeder
if successful at previous revegetation sites. Mulch may be used to
spread over the seeded area to reduce wind erosion.

Site maintenance
Monitor

If seeding and transplants fail, soil inoculation and/or soil amendments
will be tested.

Species list:

This species list for seed mixes and container plants includes species
from the following plant communities: Alkali Meadow, Rabbitbrush
Meadow, Nevada Saltbush Meadow, Rabbitbrush Scrub, Nevada
Saltbush Scrub, Desert Sink Scrub, Shadscale Scrub, and Desert
Greasewood Scrub.

Shrubs/Forbs:

allscale saltbush1b
inkweed1b
shadscale1b
black greasewood1b
Nevada dalea1b
shrubby alkali aster1b
fourwing saltbush1b
Parry saltbush1b

Grasses/Grasslike:

alkali muhly
beardless wildrye1b
Great Basin wildrye1b
alkali sacaton1b
carex1b
saltgrass1b


Laws Return Ditch

This site is in vegetation parcel no 124 on the Laws 7.5’USGS quad
(T6S R33E, NW1/4NW1/4 Sec. 35 & NE1/4NE1/4 Sec. 34),
mapped as 62 acres of ABAG (Fig. 1). It is accessible from the
Laws-Poleta Rd. The site topography varies between areas with
hummocks and areas that have been leveled. The vegetation is mainly
weedy native and non-native species. Current impediments to
recruitment include groundwater pumping and grazing.

The soil at this site was mapped as a Sabies-Yaney complex that was
described in the previous description, Laws 33.

Goal: Revegetate the site with species found in surrounding parcels.
This site probably had a higher water table supporting plant
communities that can no longer be maintained with the current
conditions.

Priority: Medium – This site doesn’t appear to have severe wind
erosion problems, but because it has weedy species and shows no
signs of natural recruitment, it may be a difficult site to revegetate. It is
anticipated that this site will be fenced in 2000 if approved by the
Standing Committee.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances

The site will be fenced.

Test transplants and seeding

Plant container plants in windbreak rows if it has been successful at
previous sites. Use the seeding method that has proven the most
successful at other mitigation sites.

Site Maintenance

Monitor

If seeding and transplants fail, soil inoculation and/or soil amendments
will be tested.

Species list:

The species list for this site is the same as for the Laws Jean Blanc Rd.
above with the addition of the following shrubs:

desert alysum1b
longspine horsebush1b

Enhancement/Mitigation projects

Northeast Big Pine

This site is slated to be a re-greening project described as 30 acres of
irrigated pasture (Fig. 3). The 30 acres are contained within the 167
acre Rabbitbrush Scrub parcel no. 153 on the Big Pine 7.5’ USGS
quad (T9S R34E, SE1/4NW1/4 Sec.17). It was planted in alfalfa in
1924 but there are no records of when it was taken out of production
(furrows are still visible). Live cover was mapped at 25% with Russian
thistle comprising 30%. The EIR delineates only the area with the
sparsest cover within the vegetation parcel. Near the Big Pine canal,
vegetation is the most dense with willow, Nevada saltbush, saltgrass
and weedy annuals. Current impediments to natural recruitment
include off-road vehicle traffic and invasion of weedy plants.

This site spans two soil map units; one is a complex of
Hesperia-Cartago soils that was described for the Big Pine ABAG
site and the other is a Shondow-drained Hessica, sandy substratum
association with 0-2% slopes. The Shondow soils are fine-loamy,
mixed, thermic Aquic Argixerolls and the Hessica soils are fine-loamy,
mixed, thermic Xerollic Natrargids. This map unit is located in the
northern portion of the site. These soils have moderate to moderately
slow permeability and high available water capacity. Management
considerations include moderate to severe wind erosion hazard and
potentially high salinity and sodicity. Off-road vehicles should be
limited and grazing should be carefully managed to preserve soil and
vegetation cover.

Goal: Revegetate the site with plant species found in the surrounding
area. Near the canal, species with higher water requirements could be
used.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances

The site will need to be fenced, and this would be the initial
revegetation method.

Monitor

If recruitment of desirable species is observed, then protection without
additional input will be continued. If protection produces no apparent
positive changes then additional plans will be developed. These will
include weed control, protecting natural recruitment if helpful in other
areas, and possibly planting or seeding native plants.

East Big Pine

This 20 acre site (Fig. 3) was discussed earlier in the Big Pine ABAG
section. The revegetation plan for the two sites would be the same.

East Independence

This 30 acre site is slated as a re-greening project in the EIR (Fig. 9),
however, the site was mapped as 20 acres, parcel no. 188 on the
Independence 7.5’ USGS quad (T13S R35E, SE1/4NW1/4 Sec17).
It is easily accessible by town roads and adjacent to the Little League
field which contributes to heavy vehicle disturbance. The presence of
weedy plant species (fivehook bassia and Russian thistle) are also a
potential revegetation problem. Native perennial plant species
(fourwing saltbush, saltgrass, and alkali sacaton) are present and
recruitment was apparent, although the previously mentioned
disturbances will likely prevent site rehabilitation from occurring
without intervention. If the site is turned into an irrigated pasture, Los
Angeles will be the lead party responsible for implementing the
project. But, plans for a native plant site have been developed.

Soil at the site was mapped as Shabbell sandy loam with 0-2%
slopes. Shabbell soils are coarse-loamy, mixed thermic Aridic
Argixerolls. This soil has moderately rapid permeability and moderate
available water capacity. Wind erosion hazard is moderate. Soil
management recommendation include revegetating disturbed areas as
soon as possible as well as careful grazing management that takes soil
temperature and wetness into consideration.

Goal: Rehabilitate the site with native plants similar to communities at
the same elevation north and south of town.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances

The site will need to be fenced, and this would be the initial
revegetation method.

Contact local organizations that may be interested in the project

Volunteers may be willing to volunteer for planting and site
maintenance.

Monitor

If recruitment of desirable species is observed, then protection without
additional input will be continued. If protection produces no apparent
positive changes then additional plans will be developed. These will
include weed control, protecting natural recruitment if helpful in other
areas, and possibly planting or seeding native plants.

East Shepherd Creek

This site was described in the EIR as 60 acres that are "poorly
vegetated." The area is easily accessible from Hwy. 395 . The
northern portion of the impact site was mapped as vegetation parcel
142 (Fig. 10) on the Independence 7.5’ USGS quad (T13S R35E,
NW1/4SW1/4 Sec. 34). Parcel 142 is described as having 18 acres
of Nevada Saltbush Scrub with 80% live cover. This cover, when
mapped was composed of 75% Russian thistle, 21% fivehook bassia,
and 1% Nevada saltbush. If perennial vegetation does not naturally
increase, it is planned to become an expansion of the E/M alfalfa field
on the west side of the highway. If the site is turned into an alfalfa field,
Los Angeles will be the lead party responsible for implementing the
project.

Soil at the site was mapped as complex of Morey
family-Winnedumah, drained-Rindge family with 0-2% slopes that
was described for the Independence sites.

Goals: Revegetate the site with plant species found in the surrounding
area on the same soil type.

Revegetation plan:

Eliminate disturbances

The site will need to be fenced, and this would be the initial
revegetation method.

Monitor

If recruitment of desirable species is observed, then protection without
additional input will be continued. If protection produces no apparent
positive changes then additional plans will be developed. These will
include weed control, protecting natural recruitment if helpful in other
areas, and possibly planting or seeding native plants.

Continued on next page