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The third component of the Swale /drainage vegetation type, the cattail component, was not <br />sampled since it is only a small community. This component is nearly 100 percent cattail, <br />excepting some associated pond weeds shown in the species list (Attachment 2.04.10 -5, <br />formerly Peabody Appendix 10 -1). Standing water occurs in the component essentially all year <br />long. The cattail component is further described in Attachment 2.04.10 -10, formerly Peabody <br />Addendum 11 -1. <br />The extent and distribution of the swale /drainage type is wholly dependent upon the irrigation <br />associated with the surrounding agricultural areas excepting any contribution from storm flows <br />or snowmelt runoff. The type would not persist if the irrigation system was not present, as <br />evidenced by the similar landscape in Third Park to the north where irrigation is not present. <br />Undoubtedly, the ephemeral drainages could not support this vegetation without the <br />supplemental water. The contribution of supplemental water from irrigation tailwater is <br />greatest during the mid -April to October irrigation season, while ground water recharged from <br />irrigation may contribute to seeps and bogs over a greater period. <br />Each component of the Swale /drainage type exhibits very high 10 -32 levels of productivity and <br />cover, although the vegetation supports little utility other than wildlife habitat. The surrounding <br />pasture and hayland vegetation offers considerably better quality forage for livestock. The <br />boggy conditions of the swales and the occurrence of large volumes of coarse and rank <br />standing dead vegetation probably precludes utilization of the type as well. Local landowners <br />expressed somewhat derisive remarks about the type, indicating that it constitutes lands that <br />could be put to greater use if the saturated conditions could be controlled. Reference to <br />Section 2.04.11, Fish and Wildlife Resources Information, can be made for further information <br />on the type. <br />5.5 Sagebrush Type (SG, SG -1, SG -2) The sagebrush vegetation type represents remnants <br />of native rangeland have not been converted to the more characteristic intensive agricultural <br />land uses in the area. These areas have not been converted because of topographic <br />restrictions affecting irrigation water application and the occurrence of rock outcrops or shallow <br />soils. The type usually occurs as small inclusions within the irrigated pasture type, within or <br />adjacent to the Swale /drainage type, or is associated with facilities and disturbed areas. The <br />sagebrush type was delineated based on the dominance of sagebrush within these areas. <br />Revised September 2010 (PR 06) 2.04.1044 <br />