California's increasing population is putting more and more pressure on our scarce water resources. Since its inception, the Mono Lake Committee, through cooperative solutions, has found ways of meeting L.A.'s real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas. It is now more important than ever that we be here to help solve the water policy challenges that California is facing in the future. The Mono Lake Committee is the spokesperson and organizer on water supply and quality in the Los Angeles Area, and one-quarter of our board of directors are among the top water policy people in California.

The Mono Lake Committee is using the experience gained in promoting wise-water use in Los Angeles to influence water policies, including the Bay-Delta CalFed process, and protection of Federal ultra-low flush toilet regulations. As part of the Los Angeles Conservation Council, the Committee is a presence at meetings of the Metropolitan Water District and the Department of Water and Power. The Committee collaborates with the Northern California Water Caucus, and represents Southern California environmental groups on the Bay Delta Advisory Council. The Advisory Council meets every eight weeks, mostly in Sacramento, and seeks to move the CalFed process in a sound, consensus-building direction. Frances Spivy-Weber, Executive Director of Policy, sat on Governor Davis' Advisory Drought Planning Panel.