(818) 716-8488
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 12, 1998
MONO LAKE COMMITTEE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
THAT CHANGED CALIFORNIA WATER HISTORY
New Film Documents Mono Lake Committee’s Central Role
in Preserving California’s Precious Natural Resources
The 20-year fight that changed California water history is the subject of a new documentary film that will be premiered at the Mono Lake Committee’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, March 29, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall.
The Battle For Mono Lake, produced by Stephen Fisher along with Public Broadcasting Station KTEH, San Jose, is the first film to document the Mono Lake Committee’s historic struggle to save one of California’s most unique natural resources. This hour-long documentary looks at the natural and human history of the Mono Basin, the scientific and environmental importance of the lake, the importance of the Public Trust Doctrine in shaping water policy in the West, and the role that ordinary citizens played in protecting Mono Lake’s future.
The Mono Lake Committee used innovative approaches to water marketing and community-based conservation. These ideas were critical to ensuring victory by identifying resources that more than made up for the loss of Mono Basin water, thus writing a new chapter in the story of California's contentious water wars.
The Mono Lake campaign came to a crescendo in 1994, when the California State Water Resources Control Board, in a historic Public Trust decision, ordered the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to curtail its diversions, to raise Mono Lake to a higher water level, to re-water once dry streams, and to restore stream and waterfowl habitat in the Mono Basin. This spring, the Water Board will make a decision on how restoration will be done. As the Committee celebrates its 20-year struggle to protect Mono Lake, a new chapter dedicated to healing this natural resource is about to begin.
Mono Lake Committee Celebrates 20 Years
That Changed California Water History
After the screening, a forum discussion entitled, "The Mono Lake Committee In Los Angeles: Water Conservation and Recycling, Community Based Organizations, and Education," will focus on the Committee’s past accomplishments, present challenges, and future goals. Ed Manning, Mono Lake Committee Board Co-Chair, will moderate the discussion, providing the audience with the opportunity to ask questions of these panelists:
Rich Atwater, Water Resources Management consultant and former General Manager for the West Basin Water District.
Stephen Fisher, Documentary filmmaker and producer of The Battle For Mono Lake.
Ruth Galanter, Los Angeles City Councilmember representing the City’s Sixth District.
Elsa Lopez, Mothers of East Los Angeles -- Santa Isabel.
Tickets for The Battle For Mono Lake film premiere and forum discussion are priced as follows: $25 ($35 for two tickets), $50 for priority seating, and $150 ($250 for two tickets) for priority seating, paid parking, and a 2:00 p.m. pre-screening reception with panelists and film participants sponsored by Trader Joe’s. The event concludes with a gala reception for all guests, sponsored by the Border Grill. Tickets can be purchased through the UCLA Central Ticket Office (310) 825-2101, through Ticketmaster (213) 480-3232 and via the internet, www.ucla.cto.edu.
For more information, to arrange interviews, to obtain press passes, or to receive a copy of The Battle For Mono Lake contact Shelly Backlar, (818) 716-8488
# # #
This press release and others can be downloaded from the Committee’s web site, www.monolake.org/press.
# # #
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|