The Mono Lake Committee's Position on Mill Creek
The Mono Lake Committee strongly supports restoration of natural habitats and ecological processes in the Mono Basin. We concur with the waterfowl scientists' recommendation that Mill Creek be rewatered sufficient to achieve a multi-channeled bottomland and year-round freshwater conditions at the mouth of Mill Creek.
Any reallocation of water from existing uses back to Mill Creek must be consistent with environmental review and appropriate protection of habitats currently benefiting from Mill Creek water.
Given the potential impacts to existing landscapes, the Committee specifically supports the following points.
- Green meadows on Conway Ranch should be maintained. The irrigated acreage north of Wilson Creek, representing roughly 85 percent of the ranch's pasture, can be maintained with spring flows and Virginia Creek water; the meadow south of Wilson Creek could be maintained with water-conserving irrigation techniques.
- Green meadows and trees on Thompson Ranch should be maintained using water-conserving irrigation practices.
- Riparian habitat on the upper reaches of Wilson Creek above and through the Conway Ranch should be maintained for visual and habitat qualities.
- Maintaining a seasonal, put-and-take fishery
along the upper reaches of Wilson Creek should be
considered. We recognize that it may not be
possible to maintain fish in good condition on a
year-round basis in Wilson Creek due to the small
amount of water available during the fall -
winter period.
We appreciate hearing your comments on the Mono Lake Committee's position. You can contact us by letter (P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, California 93541, attention: Heidi Hopkins) or by e-mail (Heidi@monolake.org). Also, look on our Web page for up-to-date information on the Mill Creek proposal and the Water Board proceedings.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|