ML17292A848

Operational Ecological Monitoring Program for Wppss Nuclear Plant 2 - 1996 Annual Rept. W/970501 Ltr

ML17292A848
Person / Time
Site:	Columbia
Issue date:	12/31/1996
From:	Swank D WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
To:	Zeller J WASHINGTON, STATE OF
References
GO2-97-087, GO2-97-87, NUDOCS 9705130418
Download: ML17292A848 (28)

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ACCESSION NBR:9705130418 ," DOC.DATE: 96/12/31 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET FACIL,50-397 WPPSS Nuclear Project, Unit 2, Washington Public Powe 05000397 AUTH'.NAME AUTHOR AFFILIATION SWP KF Dc'A ~ Washington Public Power Supply System CIP.NAME RECIPIENT AFFILIATION ZELLER,J.J. Washington, State of

SUBJECT:

"Operational Ecological Monitoring Program for Nuclear Plant 2 1996 Annual Rept." W/970501 ltr.

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TITLE: Environmental Monitoring Rept (per Tech Specs)

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n4 WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEibf

' P.O. Box 968 ~ Richland, 1Vashington 99352-0968

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May 1, 1997 G02-97-087 Mr. Jason J. Zeller, Manager Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council P.O. Box 43172 Olympia, WA 98501-3172

Subject:

SUPPLY SYSTEM NUCLEAR PLANT NO. 2 ECOLOGICALMONITORINGPROGRAM ANNUALREPORT FOR 1996 Enclosed, please find five (5) copies of the subject report which is submitted per Council Resolution No. 266. If you have questions concerning this submittal please contact W.A. Kiel at (509) 377-4490.

Respectfully, gp(~ .~-k D.A. Swank Manager, Regulatory Affairs (Mail Drop PE20)

Enclosure cc (w/encl):

J Bartz (WDOE-Kenn)

RL Dirkes (PNNL)

TG Colburn (NRC NRR)

EW Merschoff (NRC RIV)

CNRC:Document Control-Desk (Docket No. 50-397)'

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Section ~Pa e EXECUTIVE SUIVBAARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES rv BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION AND SAMPLE LOCATIONS MATERIALSAND METHODS Herbaceous Canopy. Cover Herbaceous Phytomass Soil Chemistry RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Herbaceous Cover Herbaceous Phytomass Soil Chemistry REFERENCES

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

The Ecological Monitoring Program was originally established by EFSEC as a comprehensive program to monitor the environmental effects of WNP-2 operation. Since its inception, the program has been modified on several occasions to accommodate technical changes or to delete requirements for completed studies. Terrestrial monitoring is the only currently active program element.

The Terrestrial Monitoring Program was established to determine ifcooling tower operation is affecting the surrounding plant communities. The current program is described in EFSEC Resolution No. 266 and is based on measurements of soil chemistry, herbaceous cover, and phytomass at eight grassland and seven shrub sampling sites located within a five miles radius of the towers. Since 1988 aerial photographs have been periodically used to document vegetation patterns in the area. Program results have been annually reported to EFSEC.

No measurable efFects of plant cooling tower drift were observed on vegetation cover, phytomass, or soil chemistry. Climatological factors (e.g., precipitation and temperature) and anthropogenic impacts unrelated to cooling tower operation (e.g., range fires) overwhelmingly dominate the productivity of vegetation at the study locations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report, prepared by the Washington Public Power Supply System, describes the soil and vegetation studies program for WNP-2.

Pro'ect Team Terry E. Northstrom Supervisor, Environmental Sciences and Analytical Support Deborah Singleton Environmental Scientist

List of Tables Number ~Pa e Vascular Plants Observed During 1996

2. Herbaceous Cover for Fifteen Sampling Stations (%) 10

3. Mean Frequency Values (%) by Species for Each Sampling Station

4. Mean Herbaceous Cover for 1975 through 1996 12

5. Herbaceous Phytomass for 1996 15

6. Comparison of Herbaceous Phytomass (g/m') for 1975 through 1996 16

7. Summary of Soil Chemistry for 1996 17

List of Figures Number ~Pa e

1. Soil and Vegetation Sampling Location Map

2. Layout of Vegetation and Soil Sampling Plot

3. Mean Herbaceous Cover and Total Precipitation

BACKGROUND The Site Certification Agreement (SCA) for WNP-2 was approved May 17, 1972, by the State of Washington and the Washington Public Power Supply System (Supply System). The SCA requires that environmental monitoring be conducted during the preoperational and operational phases of site development and use. The objective of the monitoring program is to provide an environmental measurement history for evaluation by the Supply System and the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) and to identify significant effects of plant operation on the environment. Since 1972, several revisions of the monitoring program have been approved by EFSEC in the form of SCA Amendments and EFSEC Resolutions 193, 194, 214, 239, and 266.

Most of the studies, analyses, and reports for the preoperational (1973-1984) environmental program of the SCA were performed by outside laboratories for the Supply System. The terrestrial program was performed and reports were prepared by Battelle from 1974 until 1979 (Rickard 1976, 1977, 1979a, 1979b) and then by Beak from 1980 to 1982 (Beak 1981, 1982a, 1982b).

Since 1983, Supply System scientists have been responsible for the entire operational environmental monitoring program. Using the data acquired during 1984, the first comprehensive operational environmental annual report was prepared by Supply System scientists (Supply System 1985) and has since continued annually (Supply System 1986 through 1995). A few studies and reports were completed by Supply System personnel prior to the annual reports, including animal studies (Schleder 1982, 1983, 1984) and terrestrial monitoring (Northstrom et.al 1984).

This report presents the results of the Ecological Monitoring Program (in accordance with Resolution No. 266) for the period of January through December 1996. (By letter dated December 12, 1995, EFSEC acknowledged that water quality and bioassay components of the program were superceded by the WNP-2 NPDES Permit issued October 9, 1995.)

SITE DESCRIPTION AND SAMPLE LOCATION WNP-2 lies within the boundaries of the Columbia Basin which is located between the Cascade Range and Blue Mountains in Oregon. Approximately 5 km (3.25 miles) to the east, the site is bounded by the Columbia River. The plant communities within the region are described as shrub-steppe communities consisting of various layers of perennial grasses overlaid by a discontinuous layer of shrubs. In general, there is insufficient moisture to support arborescent species except along streambanks. In August 1984, a range fire destroyed much of the shrub cover on the Hanford site and temporarily modified the shrub-steppe associations which were formerly present.

The objective of the soil and vegetation studies is to identify any significant sects or impacts of plant cooling tower operation upon the plant communities surrounding WNP-2. Vegetation and soiL sampling was conducted at the peak of the cheatgrass growth cycle known as the purple stage (Klemmedson 1964). Cheatgrass (Bromus rectorum) is the predominant species within all fifteen of the sampling plots with a mean frequency >98% and cover often approaching 50%. Cheatgrass fruits turn purple shortly after reaching viability and then brown when mature. The purple stage of development correlates well with the peak productivity of many associated species and serves as a marker for initiation of annual sampling and comparison of phytomass productivity between years. The program includes the measurement of herbaceous canopy cover, herbaceous phytomass and soil chemistry. Soil chemical parameters measured include pH, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, sodium, copper, zinc and conductivity. Fifteen sampling stations are located within a five-mile radius of the plant. The stations consist of eight grassland (G01-G08) and seven shrub sites (S01-S07). The location of each station is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Soil and Vegetation Sampling Location Map I

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MATERIALSAND METHODS Herbaceous Cano Cover At each of the fifteen stations fiftymicroplots (20 cm x 50 cm) were placed at 1-meter intervals on alternate sides of the herbaceous transect (Figure 2-2). Canopy cover was estimated for each species occurring within a microplot using Daubenmire's (1968) cover classes. Data were recorded on standard data sheets. To assure the quality of the sampling, three randomly selected microplots were sampled twice. The entire transect was resampled ifcover estimates for any major species (>50% frequency) diQered by more than one cover class.

Figure 2. Layout of Vegetation and Soil Sampling Plot I

Herbaceous transect M croplot 10m Phytomass sampl~ pjrg Herbaceous Ph omass Phytomass sampling was conducted concurrently with cover sampling. Phytomass sampling plots were randomly located within an area adjacent to the permanent transects or plots (Figure 2-2).

At each station, all live herbaceous vegetation rooted in the designated microplot (20 x50 cm) was clipped to ground level and placed in paper bags. Each bag was stapled shut and labeled with station code, plot number, date and personnel initials.

Sampling bags were transported to the laboratory, opened, and placed in a drying oven until a consistent weight was obtained. Following drying, the bags were removed singularly from the oven and their contents immediately weighed to the nearest 0.1 g. Laboratory quality assurance consisted of independently reworking 10 percent of the phytomass samples to assess data validity and reliability.

Soil Chemist At each of the fifteen grassland and shrub stations, two soil samples were collected from the top 15 cm of soil with a clean stainless steel trowel. The soil samples were randomly selected and taken from the phytomass sampling plot. The samples were placed in 250 ml sterile plastic cups with lids, labeled and refrigerated at 4'C. Nine parameters were analyzed in each sample, including pH, bicarbonate, carbonate, conductivity, sulfate, chloride, copper, zinc, and sodium.

Aliquots of soil for trace metal analyses were microwave digested according to Gilman (1989).

Preservation times and conditions, when applicable followed EPA procedures (1991). Laboratory quality control comprised 10-20% of the sample analysis load. Routine quality control samples included internal laboratory check standards, reagent blanks, and prepared EPA or NIST controls.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION During the 1996 season, 62 plant taxa were observed in the study areas. Table 1 lists the vascular plants observed during the 1996 field studies.

Herbaceous Cover Total herbaceous cover averaged 84.4% in 1996 which represents a decrease of 8.69% from 1995 (92.39%). Only three stations (G06, S05 and S07) showed an increase from 1995. Bromus teclorum continues to be the dominant annual grass with an average cover of 52.4%. Total annual grass cover averaged 52.4%, an increase of 52.1%. Total perennial grass cover was 19.35%, a decrease of 29.9%. The dominant perennial grass was Poa sandbergii with an average cover of 15.1%. Total annual forb cover decreased 58.7% from last year. Total cover for each station is shown in Table 2. An overview of herbaceous cover for 1975 through 1996 is shown in Table 4.

Frequency values (%) decreased at eleven of the fifteen stations. The most significant decrease in frequency values was observed at station S06. Three stations (S02, S03 and S04) showed'an increase in the number of species per site. Table 3 shows mean frequency values (%) by species for each sampling station.

Growing season (October 95 - April 96) precipitation (20.65 cm) decreased 1.95% from the previous season (21.06 cm). For the calendar year 1996, total precipitation for the year was 30.96 cm, the second wettest year on record, after 1995 which received 31.27 cm. The average growing season temperature was 5.27'C (6.43 'C for 1995). The average temperature for the year was 11.28'C. The wet cool conditions prove to be favorable for the annual grasses (increase 52.1%), with a substantial increase in growth at stations G04, S02, S06, and S07 (>110%

increase). A comparison of mean cover and precipitation for 1982 through 1996 is shown in Figure 3.

Herbaceous Ph omass At grassland and shrub stations the herbaceous phytomass production averaged 154.5g/m'nd 121.7 g/m'espectively. Mean herbaceous phytomass production at grassland and shrub stations is summarized in Table 5. A comparison of herbaceous phytomass (g/m') for 1975 through 1996 is shown in Table 6.

Soil Chemist In comparison to the data for previous years, there has been no significant change in soil chemistry for the fifteen sampling stations. Although concentrations of soil chemistry parameters at station S07 have previously been higher than other stations, the slightly higher increase this year can be attributed to the range fire which occured during the Spring of 1995. Table 7 is a summation of soil chemistry for 1996.

Figure 3. Mean Herbaceous Cover and Total Precipitation for 1982 through 1996 25 14D Legend g3 Ptecl pltadon Q .Covet 20 60 l

iI15 62 65 66 45 45 67 4b 60 00 01 02 06 06 05 06 Year

REFERENCES Beak Consultants, Inc. 1981. Terrestrial monitoring studies near WNP-1, 2 and 4, May through December 1980. Portland, OR.

Beak Consultants, Inc. 1982a. Terrestrial monitoring studies near WNP-1, 2 and 4, May through December 1981. Portland, OR.

Beak Consultants, Inc. 1982b. Terrestrial monitoring studies near WNP-1, 2 and 4, May through August 1982. Portland, OR.

Daubenmire, R. 1968. Plant Communities. Harper and Row, New York, New York.

Environmental Protection Agency. 1991. Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples. EPA/600/4-91-010.

Gilman, Lee B. 1989. Microwave Sample Preparation. CEM Corporation.

Klemmedson, J.O. and J.G. Smith. 1964. Cheat Grass (Bromus tectorum L.) Bot. Rev. 30; 226-262.

Northstrom, T.E., J.L. Hickam and T.B. Stables. 1984. Terr'estrial monitoring studies for 1983.

Washington Public Power Supply System. Richland, WA.

Rickard, W.H. and K.A. Gano. 1976. Terrestrial ecology studies in the vicinity of Washington Public Power Supply System Nuclear Power Projects 1 and 4. Progress report for the period July 1974 to June 1975. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories. Richland, WA.

Rickard, W.H. and K.A. Gano. 1977. Terrestrial ecology studies in the vicinity of Washington Public Power Supply System Nuclear Power Projects 1 and 4. Progress report for 1976. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA.

Rickard, W.H. and K.A. Gano. 1979a. Terrestrial ecology studies in the vicinity of Washington Public Power Supply System Nuclear Power Projects 1 and 4. Progress report for 1977. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA.

Rickard, W.H. and K.A. Gano. 1979b, Terrestrial ecology studies in the vicinity of Washington Public Power Supply System Nuclear Power Projects 1 and 4. Progress reports for 1978.

Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA.

Schleder, L.S. 1.982-1984. Preoperational animal studies near WNP-1, 2 and 4. Annual report for 1981. Washington Public Power Supply System, Richland, WA.

Washington Public Power Supply System. Operational Ecological Monitoring Program for Nuclear Plant 2. Annual Reports for 1985-1995. Richland, WA.

Table 1. Vascular Plants Observed During 1996

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ScicntiTie Name Common Name APIACEAE Parsley Family Cymopterus terebinthinus (Hook.) T. &G. var terebinthinus Turpentine cymopterus ASTERACEAE Aster Family Achillea millefolium L. Yarrow Antennaria dimorpha (Nutt.) T.&G. Low pussy-toes Artemisia tridentata Nutt. Big Sagebrush Baisamorhiza careyana Gray Carey's balsamroot Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Pall.) Britt Gray rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiJlorus (Hook.) Nutt Green rabbitbrush Crepis atrabarba Heller Slender hawksbeard Franseri a acanthi carpa Hook. Bur ragweed Layia glandulosa (HOOk.) H. &A. White daisy tidytips Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow salsify Aster canescens Pursh Hoary aster BORAGINACEAE Borage Family Amsinckia lycopsoides Lchm. Tarweed fiddlcneck Cryptantha circumscissa (H&A)Johnst. Matted cryptantha Cryptantha leucophaea (Dougl.) Pays NA Cryptantha pterocarya (torr.) Greene Winged cryptantha BRAS SICACEAE Mustard Family Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. Western tansymustard Draba verna L. Spring draba Erysimum asperum (Nutt.) DC. Prairie rocket Sisymbrium altissimum L. Tumblemustard CACTACEAE Cactus Family Opuntia polycanlha Haw. Starvation cactus CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink Family Arenaria franklinii Dougl. var franklinii Franklin's sandkvort Holosteum umbellatum L. Jagged chickkveed CHENOPODIACEAE Chenopod Family Chenopodi um leptophyllum (MOQ.) Wats. Slimleafgoosefoot Grayia spinosa (Hook.) MOQ.

Salsola kali L. Russian thistle

Table 1. Vascular Plants Observed During 1996 (Continued)

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Scientific Name Common Name FABACEAE Pea Family Astragalus purshii Dougl. Wooly-pod milk-vetch Astragalus sclerocarpus Gray Stalked-pod milk-vetch Psoralea lanceolata Pursh. Lance-leaf scurf-pea GERANIACEAE Geranium Family Erodium cicutari um (L.) L'Her. Filaree, storks-bill HYDROPHYLLACEAE Waterleaf Family Phacelia hastala Dougl. Whiteleaf phacelia Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. Threadleaf phacelia LILIACEAE LilyFamily Brodi aea douglasii Wats. Douglas'rodiaea Calochortus macrocarpus Dougl. Sego lily Fritillariapudica (Pursh) Spreng. Chocolate lily LOASACEAE Biasing-star Family Mentzelia albi caulis Dougl. Ex Hook. White-stemmed mentzelia MALVACEAE Mallow Family Sphaeralcea munroana (Dougl.) Spach Ex Gray White-stemmed globe-mallow ONAGRACEAE Evening-primrose Family Oenothera pallida Lindl. var. pallida White-stemmed evening primrose PLANTAGINACEAE Plantain Family Plantago patagonica Jacq. Indian-wheat POACEAE Grass Family Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. Crested whcatgrass Agropyron dasystachyum (Hook.) Scribn. Thick-spiked wheatgrass Agropyron spicatum (Pursh.) Scribn. & Smith Bluebunch wheatgrass Bromus tectorum L. Cheatgrass Festuca octoflora Walt. Six-weeks fescue Koeleria cristata Pcrs. Prairie Junegrass Oryzopsis hymenoides (R&S) Ricker Indian ricegrass Poa sandbergii Vasey Sandberg's bluegrass

Table 1. Vascular Plants Observed During 1996 (Continued)

Scientific Name Common Name Sitanion hystrix (nutt.) Smith Bottlebrush squirreltail k

Stipa comata Trin. Rupr. Needle-and-thread POLEMONIACEAE Phlox Family Gilia minutiJlora Benth. Gilia Gilia sinuata Dougl. Shy gilia Leptodactylon pungens (Torr.) Nutt. Granite gilia Microsleri s gracilis (Hook.) Grccne var.

humilior (Hook.) Cronq. Pink microsteris Phlox longifolia Nut t. Long-leaf phlox POLYGONACEAE Buckwheat Family Erigonum niveum Dougl. Snow buckwheat Rumex venosus Pursh. Wild begonia RANUNCULACEAE Buttercup Family Delphinium nuttallianum Pritz. ex Walpers Larkspur ROSACEAE Rose Family Purshia tridentata (pursh.) DC Antelope Bitterbrush SANTALACEAE Sandalwood Family Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. Bastard toad-flax SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifrage Family Ribes aureum Pursh. Golden current SCROPHULARIACEAE Figwort Family Penstemon acuminatus Dougl. SandMune penstemon VALERIANIACEAE Valerian Family Plectri tis macrocera Tst G Longhorn plectritis

Table 2. Herbaceous Cover for Fifteen Sampling Stations (%)

G01 G02 801 802 S03 804 805 806 S07 AVG G01407 Annual Grasses Bromus tectorum 81.70 82.55 72.35 22.05 23.90 39.95 67.25 71.05 58.0 24.35 52.60 54.35 69.30 15.95 50.80 52.40 Festuca octoflora 0.00 0.00 O.M 0.00 0.25 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 Total Annual Grass Cover 81.70 82.55 7235 22.05 24.15 40.15 6735 71.05 5&00 2435 52.60 54.40 6930 15.95 50.80 52.43 Perennial Grasses Agropyron spicafum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.04 Orysopts hymenoides 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 '2.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.68 0.00 Poa sandbergii 13.10 11.60 3.55 17.15 36.90 1.00 9.55 10.25 10.50 21.75 12.15 14.60 0.00 49.85 14.15 15.07 Stipa comata 0.00 0.00 0.00 24.75 0.00 13.85 0.00 0.15 0.00 12.45 0.00 0.00 3.35 0.00 0.00 3.64 Total Perennial Grass Cover 13.10 11.60 41.90 3730 14.85 10.40 10.50 3635 12.15 14.60 3.65 56.70 14.15 1935 Annual Forbs Amsinckia iycopsoides 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 1.30 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.35 1.07 Cryptantha cirmumscissa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 Descurainia pinnata 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.15 0.07 Draba verna 1.55 1.05 2.10 0.90 1.65 1.45 1.95 2.10 2.15 0.55 0.65 0.70 1.55 0.05 0.45 1.26 Erodium cicutarium 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 Holosteum umbellatum 5.45 5.80 2.45 5.60 5.45 3.30 3.90 2.80 3.70 2.15 2.25 3.00 2.45 0.00 33.30 5.44 Microsteris gracilis 0.05 O.M 0.10 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 Phacelia linearis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04 Plantago pategonica 0.55 0.35 0.00 1.7 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.95 0.00 2.10 0.00 0.25 0.40 Salsola kali 0.00 0.20 0.35 0.20 1.65 0.05 0.45 0.15 0.05 0.75 0.25 0.30 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.31 Sisymbrium altissimum 0.00 0.30 0..35 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.15 0.25 3.45 0.05 1.95 23.95 2.05 Total Annual Forb Cover 7.60 7.70 103 5.15 6.40 530 4.95 4.45 &25 6.85 2.10 72.45 11.07 Perennial Forbs Aster canescens 0.00 0.00 0.90 0.15 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.12 Astragalus sclerocarpus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 Balsamorhiza careyana 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.55 0.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.25 0.75 0.00 0.00 0.58 Crepis atrabarba 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 Cymopterus terebinthinus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.46 Erigonum niveum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.75 0.00 0.00 0.55 Oenothera pallida 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 O.M 0.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 Phlox long%li a 0.05 0.00 0.80 0.10 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.30 0.10 0.35 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 Rumex venosus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.02 Total Perennial Forb Cover 0.05 0.00 1.75 035 5.70 0.25 0.15 0.05 030 6.80 035 635 L20 0.00 0.00 1.51 Total Herbaceous Cover 102.5 101.9 72.75 7735 60.40 86.80 7530 72.50 69.55 83.60 SLOO 74.75 137.4 8436 10

Table 3. Mean Frequency Values (%) by Species for each Sampling Station G01 G02 G03 G04 G05 G06 G07 G08 S01 S02 S03 S04 S05 S06 S07 Annual Grasses Bromus tectorum 100 100 100 98 96 100 100 100 98 80 100 100 100 80 88 Festuca octoflora 10 8 2 Perennial Grasses Agropyron spicatum Oryzopis hemenoides 10 26 Poa sandbergii 64 90 10 88 90 10 56 62 32 50 80 50 86 68 Stipa comata 86 44 6 46 10 Annual Forbs Amsinckia lycopsoides 4 4 2 6 2 70 Cryptantha circumscissa 2 2 Descurainia pinnata 2 2 2 4 6 Draba rema 62 32 74 26 36 58 68 64 56 12 16 28 62 2 8 Erodium cicutarium 2 Franseria acanthacarpa 14 2 2 12 4 8 4 2 22 8 Gilia sinuata 2 4 llolosteum umbellatum 88 82 78 84 78 '2 96 82 68 79 76 54 58 44 hficrosteris gracilis 2 4 2 2 2 Phacelia lutearis 10 Plantago pategonica 12 14 48 2 18 44 10 Salsola kali 8 14 8 34 2 18 6 2 10 10 12 8 Percnnlal Forbs Aster canescens 16 6 2 4 4 6 Astragalus sclerocarpus 10 Balsamorhk a careyana 4 6 16 2 4 Brodiaea douglasii 2 Crepis atrabarba Cympoterus terebinthinus 32 4 14 Erigonum ni veum 8 20 Oenothera pallida 2 6 Phlox longifolia 4 6 2 2 4 4 4 Total Speclcs per Site 7 6 12 13 15 12 8 9 12 15 11 11 11 5 7 11

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I Table 5. Herbaceous Phytomass for 1996 WPJ WfJ WfJ DA'IE SIIE PLOT WE(8) SQ&EKR DA'IE SITE PLOT WE(g) SQ.MEIER DATE SIIE PLOI'f(8) SQ.MEIE 0$ /30 G01 374 4L9 419.0 0$/28 GOS 374 4S 44,7 0$ /23 501 374 6.7 66.7 0$ /50 GOI 2$ 4 SXS 53$ .0 05/28 GOS 2$ 4 8.7 8&8 0$/23 S01 2$ 4 49 48$

05/30 GOI 156 43.6 43&2 0$/28 GOS 156 IL7 0$ /23 501 ISW Ia7 10&8 05/30 G01 9.1 27.6 27&1 0$/28 G0$ 91 7.9 <<786 0$ /23 S01 9 I X8 37.7 05/30 GOI 64 $ 16 S26,2 05/28 GOS 64 22 212 05/23 S01 64 6.9 6LS AVG SID 43.9 9A 41L$

93.6 AVO SID 49 2,9 49.2 293 AVO SID 6.6 2A '16 65.6 WfJ WfJ WPJ DA'K SIIE PLOT WE(8) SQ.MEKR SflE PLOT WE(8) SQ.MEIER DATE SflE PLOT WE(g) 5036EK 0$ /24 G02 374 16,9 169A 0$ /28 G06 37-3 21 211 374 32,0 319.8 0$/24 G02 2$ 4 23.8 23LI 0$ /28 G06 2$ 4 L6 1$ .7 2$ .$ S6.1 S60.8 1$ 4 0$ /24 G02 156 20,7 20&6 0$/28 G06 27.9 279A 156 19.3 193A 05/24 G02 91 1$ .9 15LS 0$ /28 G06 9 I Ll 10,9 91 2.7 26.$

0$ /24 G02 64 14,5 144,6 0$ /28 G06 $ .1 505 $3 S49 AVG 183 INA AVO 7.6 7$ 8 AVG 23.1 2311 SID 3A 34.2 'ID It13 102.9 SID 193 19$ A WfJ WPJ DATE SIK PLOT WE(I) SQ.MEKR DATE SIK PLOT Wl'.(I) SQ.MEfER DA'IE SIIE PLOT, WE(8) SQ.MEIE 374 7.2 n2 0$ /31 G07 37.3 2.7 273 05/24 503 374 1$ .8 1$ 7.6 2$ + 13.9 1387 05/31 G07 2$ 4 $A $ 3.6 05/24 503 2$ .$ IL9 1388

&5 6$ .3 0$ /31 G07 1$ 4 X6 2&4 05/24 503 1$ 4 5JI SL3 9.1 $3 $ 2.7 0$/31 G07 9 1 $ .9 5LS 0$/24 503 9.1 93 949

&5 64.9 0$/31 G07 64 5.$ $ 4,7 0$ /24 S03 64 10.2 102,0 AVG 7.9 788 AVG 44 44,1 AVG 110 IIL3 SID 3.1 Stt6 SID L4 142 SID LS 348 WfJ Wl'J WfJ DATE SIIE PLOT WE(8) SQ.MEKR DATE SflE PLOT WE(g) SQ.MEKR DATE SIK PLOI'E(g) SQ.MEIE G04 374 4S 446 05/30 G08 378 2&$ 26$ .2 374 LO 8L4 G01 2$ -$ 12 IL8 0$ /30 G08 2$ .$ 47.9 4786 2$ 4 XS 37.9 GOI ISA 10.0 IOL2 0$ /30 G08 ISA 415405.1 1$ 4 52 520 G04 9.1 0$/30 G08 9.1 4L$ 405.2 9.1 2.7 2&7 GOI 64 4.9 4L0 0$ /30 G08 2.9 29.0 LI 307 AVG 5.0 $ (t2 AVO 3L7 316.6 AVO 4.6 4$ 8 SID X8 28A SlD 16.0 159A SID 19 19A WPJ WPJ DATE SIIE PLOT DA'K SflE PLOT WE(8) SQ.METE DA'IE SIIE PLOT WE(8) SQ.MEIE 0$ /31 50$ 374 6A 63.8 370 L6 I&I 374 225 224$

05/31 50$ 25-S 42 41'7 2$ -$ 6.S &LO 2$ $ 3L6 31521 0$ /31 50$ l$ 6 SA SL7 ISA 5.8 5LI 1$ 6 347 347.0 0$ /31 S0$ 91 3.6 3$ S 91 7.9 793 9 I 2$ 3 253.1 0$ /31 50$ 12A 124.1 64 $3 $ 2.$ 64 26,6 26&9 AVG &4 618 AVO SA S4.2 AVO 2LI 28L3 SID X2 317 SID 2.1 211 SID 44 44,2 Phytanata Summary MEAN GOI<08 154S Gtamt/tq. m<<tcr MEAN 501407 12L7 Gramt/tq. mctcr 15

~ ~ ~

~ ~

r I ~ ~ I ~ ~ Cr ~ ~ ~ ~

C ~ Css C f'C <<C I, 0 0"Cs' I C CC RSNMMMMMMRRESRRMMMM mRSRRMMMMMMRRRSREMREMM mmMMMMMMRRMMMMMM mRRRIMMMMMMRSERNNMMMM

I RSRRMMMMMMmRRRSMMMM

~ I I~ ~ I

~ ' I ~ I

~RSR55555MMMMRERRRRmR5MM mRSR1RSRRMMMMRRRWRRRRRSMM maaamaaaaaaaaammmaa RRMRSRRMMM~mRSRSRSRSMM mRRRRRSMMMMMRRR5RSERRSMM mRRRRRSRSMMMMRSRIRRRRRSMM

I ~

~ I i

~ . ~

I:: ' C I':,I mmmmmmmmmRsmmmmR$

~ I I':

I II:

~

I .'

I;I I I

s I I '; I mmmmmmmmm15mESmmm

~mmmmmmR5mmmmmmmm

Table 7. Summary of Soil Chemistry for 1996

'$o'igtgj',: :;!'i:pA@4'qual','~.=.~)+!!,'! .:i<copjN'."iW gg'"'4Pc'ggg 7.15 38.5 1.06 0.144 8.1 47.5 0.055

~yyGOg.'-'.1S 40.5 0.90 0.224 7.9 4? 9 0.058 K~i~ii 7'20 82.0 4.45 1.790 8.0 49.0 0.059 PFQ+4 xi 7.0S 28.0 0.67 0.164 6.3 36.0 0.053 6.94 68.0 0.72 0.035 3.8 40.4 0.045 7.04 21.0 0.74 0.173 6.6 28.1 0.054

.::!'VQV,'q 7.07 47.5 1.47 0.632 6.5 40.8 0.057 R~4&O&".! , '7.11 30.0 0.63 0.290 5.5 33.1 0.045

801"~ 6.89 43.0 1.82 0.500 5.1 37.5 0.051 7.66 46.0 0.63 0.129 4.9 36.6 0.037

-;$546.g~ 6.85 44.0 0.90 0.296 6.0 45.9 0.057

g!gag::;:;N 7.12 52.0 0.77 0.415 6.2 59.5 0.059 7.16 41.0 0.77 0.286 6.3 59.7 0.063 h;40kig 7.73 112.5 0.94 0.326 4.7 28.5 0.038

!,'.@gal>~!! 7.81 142.0 1.67 ?41 9.1 50.7 0.068 17