Lack of water threatens ranchers, sage grouse in Long Valley

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has prioritized who or what is going to get some of its precious water during the state’s historic drought year. Unfortunately for Long Valley, it didn’t make the cut. Ranchers and other DWP lessees in the area were notified on April 28 that the taps for their pastures would be shut off. Lessees regularly receive five acre-feet of water per acre seasonally to irrigate pastures.

The lack of water to range land could result in a loss of $6 million in livestock production and an estimated $18 million in losses for both Inyo and Mono counties, according to a letter sent to DWP by the Mono County Supervisors with assistance from the Agricultural Commissioner. Many ranchers have pasture lands in both counties, moving to the low lands in the winter and Long Valley in the summer. The letter states that these losses do not include the long-term effects of potential fallow fields and meadows.

The dry order could be a double-edged sword as Long Valley is also habitat for the Bi-State sage grouse removed from possible listing on the endangered species list in April. Rancher Gary Giacomini, owner and operator of the Giacomini Ranch said the same meadows and pastures used by his herds are shared with the grouse.

If the bird’s habitat disappears, it will surely make its way back on the table for ESA listing as loss of habitat is what got the bird its listing in the first place. A listing would curtail, if not end, grazing and ranching and perhaps water exportation for the area.

“The LADWP’s future is undeniably entwined with this listing decision, especially without a finalized Habitat Conservation Plan, and the LADWP shares the same fate as these collaborating parties should the conservation effort falter and the bird is eventually listed,” states the letter from Mono Supervisors. “This is the time to be especially prudent and careful about impacts to the Bi-State DPS (greater sage grouse), and not the time to conduct an essentially uncontrolled experiment on one of the core populations.”

Giacomini said ranchers have some protection of their livelihood during drought years the sage grouse does not have. There is federal emergency drought money available for farmers and ranchers, funds Giacomini will use to pay for pasture lands where he has moved his near 400 head of cattle this year.

There are no funds that can supplement the bird’s thirst.

The local rancher said he was an active part of the Sage Grouse Action Plan. The plan, comprised of governmental and financial stakeholders was praised for its efforts to both protect the bird and maintain business interests. He said he has as much interest in protecting the sage grouse as any other group. “No one wants to see the bird go away,” he said.

Mono County has less protection than Inyo, which has the Long Term Water Agreement with DWP that protects that county from adverse environmental impacts by water exportation. One legally obligated priority for DWP water is its use for dust control on the Owens Dry Lake which has trumped available water for Long Valley.

Giacomini and the letter from the Supervisors state that the Long Valley lessees could get by with just 2 or 3 acre-feet per acre. Giacomini explained that the root systems of grasses at high-altitude meadows are shallow and do not need much water to stay green. However, the pervasive, noxious rabbit brush does well under drought conditions and could push out meadows and other sage grouse habitat.

Giacomini said that as a rancher, drought is part of the way of life and he said he understands DWP’s obligations and the ramifications of this most recent, unprecedented drought. Mono County Supervisors were not so sympathetic. In their letter, Supervisors state they are willing to work with DWP to try and get just enough water on the valley … but within reason.

The board requested DWP “immediately” (emphasis from the original) provide 1.) 2 to 3 acre feet per acre to lessees, 2.) A commitment that all Mono County reservoirs have enough water to maintain habitat until the water systems south of Mono County are at similar levels. In addition, emergency water policies need to be explained and justified. 3.) Open and regular communication with Mono County Supervisors concerning water/prior to any significant water policy changes.