Here, the National Guard is attempting
to blast a moat across the Negit Island
land bridge. “In March 1978, twenty
members of the California National
Guard turned out with trucks, helicopters,
a pontoon bridge, and high explosives.
The blasts made a satisfying noise (and
a good media show). Though the resulting
moat was more ragged than had been
hoped, the first issue of the committee’s
Mono Lake Newsletter reported, “It will
probably assure the gulls a safe nesting
this year.” So the Mono Lake Committee
began, literally, with a bang.”

John Hart
Storm Over Mono