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:

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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