Last year at this time the Bodie Foundation had just implemented a fee collection system at Old Marina, which proved to be the solution to keeping the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve open and operating after it had been included on the state park closure list in 2011.
Beginning this summer, State Parks will assume responsibility for the self-pay parking fee system at Old Marina, reaffirming its commitment to keeping the State Natural Reserve open. All fees collected fund operations at Mono Lake.
Visitors to Old Marina won’t see anything different. The $3 per car fee will remain the same, and visitors should continue to drop it in the iron ranger near the interpretive signs.
The Bodie Foundation received special recognition from Assemblymember Kristin Olsen for its efforts to keep the State Natural Reserve at Mono Lake open with the fee system. More good news for Mono Lake’s state park includes ranger Dave Marquart’s official position as a State Park Interpreter, which will ensure a presence on the ground at Mono Lake.
The Mono Lake Committee is pleased to see State Parks making a greater commitment to the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, which offers critical protection and management for a truly unique and important ecosystem. We’re also very thankful to the Bodie Foundation for their successful efforts to get the State Natural Reserve off the closure list in the first place. Long live Mono Lake, and long live Mono Lake’s state park!
