Thursday, March 26th, 2009 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkin Title: Executive Director About: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (105) Contact Geoffrey
Updated on March 30:
Today President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act, making the new wilderness designations official. Both Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar spoke eloquently on our national heritage in these lands and our duty to protect them for future generations. Good excerpts are here on the White House blog.
Now, would you believe that a measurable percentage of the Lee Vining population was in attendance? That’s right, local friends Tim Alpers, of Alpers Trout, and Sally Miller, of The Wilderness Society, joined President Obama and other dignitaries at the White House for the signing. That represents 0.5% of Lee Vining!
We’re awaiting all their stories but already have a photo back of them with Buck McKeon, our local Congressman and a champion of the bill (that’s him on the left). Congratulations Sally, Tim, and everyone who has worked for years to make this bill a reality.
March 26 post:
Yesterday’s public lands bill designating new wilderness areas in the Eastern Sierra passed with strong bipartisan support. Here in the Mono Basin there’s a lot of excitement that more than 50,000 acres of public land near Mono Lake were included. It’s great news for protection of Mono Lake and nearby watersheds and great news for these outstanding scenic and ecologically valuable areas to the west in the Sierra and to the east as well.
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkin Title: Executive Director About: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (105) Contact Geoffrey
This morning the House of Representatives passed the long-awaited wilderness bill, which is now on its way to President Obama for approval.
The bill includes outstanding lands in the Mono Basin and overlooking Mono Lake, including (more…)
Thursday, March 12th, 2009 by Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistcloseAuthor: Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistName: Greg Reis Title: Information & Restoration Specialist About: Since his Committee internship in 1995, Greg has been involved with Mono Basin stream restoration and with maintaining the Committee's computers, Websites, and Research Library, and researching and compiling information for our programs. His B.S. degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Forestry and Natural Resources with a concentration in Environmental Management and a Senior Project in Hydrology reflects his interest in natural resources management, administration, planning, environmental analysis, and restoration. He is a member of the California Association of Environmental Professionals and the California Society for Ecological Restoration.See All Posts by Greg (134) Contact Greg
Today the US House of Representatives voted 282 to 144 to pass S.22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act–but since a 2/3 majority was required for procedural reasons, the bill hasn’t passed yet.
The east slopes of Mt. Conness and North Peak are proposed for Wilderness designation. Photo by Greg Reis.
Another vote will be taken at some point, perhaps soon. And an amendment was added which requires the bill, if it passes, to go back to the senate.
Please call your representative and thank them for voting yes! If they voted no, please call them to ask that they vote yes the next time around. See how your representative voted. U.S. Capitol Switchboard phone number to be transferred to your Rep’s office: (202) 224-3121.
Please explain to your representative why you support this bill. The Mono Lake Committee supports it because (more…)
Friday, February 13th, 2009 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkin Title: Executive Director About: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (105) Contact Geoffrey
Earlier reports suggested that the Omnibus Public Lands Act was headed for a vote on February 11. However other business apparently intervened, so the vote didn’t take place. Watch for further scheduling news when Congress returns from the President’s Day recess. All the details on the Act’s importance at Mono Lake are in our Action Alert.
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkin Title: Executive Director About: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (105) Contact Geoffrey
Mono Lake needs your help!
Congress is preparing to act on historic wilderness and wild rivers legislation that will protect public lands near Mono Lake and in the Eastern Sierra.
Please phone your Congressional representative and express your support! (more…)
Monday, January 12th, 2009 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkin Title: Executive Director About: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (105) Contact Geoffrey
Word is that an omnibus federal lands bill is advancing that incorporates wilderness designation in the Eastern Sierra. This includes federal lands in areas west and east of Mono Lake. Stay tuned!
