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90-95% of riparian vegetation has been eliminated in central California, the creation of new <br /> riparian habitat will serve to provide critical habitat for many species dependent upon this <br /> now scarce resource. <br /> Restoration and Management <br /> Both passive and active restoration methods will be used in riparian restoration. The <br /> emphasis will be on direct-seeded or seedling tree planting. It is anticipated that typical <br /> understory plants will invade the sites. However, some slow to invade rhizomatous <br /> species, such as creeping wildrye and sedge, will need to be planted. Specific restoration <br /> plans include: <br /> Passive Recruitment <br /> As stated above, riparian forests are greatly diminished along the shores of Tracy Lakes <br /> due to previous farming of the lake beds and extensive grazing for many years. The <br /> cessation of grazing and the establishment of the lake management program, as outlined <br /> above, should in itself set the stage for passive restoration. The late natural draw-down <br /> period, coupled with the generally bare soil associated with previous grazing, should <br /> provide ideal conditions for the natural establishment of willows and cottonwoods. <br /> It is recommended that valley oaks be actively planted, since they are usually slower to re- <br /> establish in an area compared to willows and cottonwoods. <br /> "Green-Tree" Establishment <br /> The strategic placement of dikes across several small arms of South Tracy Lake will result <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 203 <br />