Alan, The ALE maybe "very well preserved," but that includes a fire about
9 years ago that took out nearly all the sagebrush, just a remnant patch.
Much of the landscape there now is that of steppe vegetation. Rabbitbrush
and hop sage pockets are also common, but sagebrush has been slow to
regenerate, as is typical after fires. To find shrub-steppe in reasonable
condition, try the nearby Wahluke Slope Wildlife Area.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato, WA