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Early rains of November 2009 allowed the germination of annual seeds and revitalization of <br /> perennial grass roots. Much growth of grasses, as well as other species, such as Purple Vetch,was <br /> apparent in the spring of 2010 (Photos 1 and 2). <br /> The County's consultant with the California Department of Agriculture suggested that the <br /> perennial grasses could be selectively encouraged by grazing after those seeds had been dropped <br /> by the plants. To enhance perennial grasses, and to control the potential for grass fire, the landfill <br /> surface (including the ET closure areas) was grazed by sheep in May and early June 2010 <br /> (Photo 3). Purple Vetch and other species palatable to the sheep were quickly removed, as were <br /> much of the annual grasses (Photos 4 and 5). It was interesting to note that the sheep avoided the <br /> stalks of the Purple Needlegrass. <br /> Active perennial plants were more easily observed after grazing (Photo 6). It is likely that <br /> removal or trampling of the dry stalks of the annual grasses allows more sunlight to reach the <br /> perennial plants,which may increase evapotranspiration. Sheep feces add fertilizer. <br /> Depending on the growth of the ET cover over the winter of 2010/2011, the County contemplates <br /> grazing in the early spring of 2011, when the annual grasses have developed seed pods,but before <br /> the perennial species are developed. <br /> Foothill Sanitary Landfill 15 Department of Public Works/Solid Waste <br /> 2nd Semester and Annual 2010 Groundwater Monitoring County of San Joaquin—January 31,2011 <br />