The agenda for the November 18 special meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners was packed. As were the Commissioners’ inboxes … with over 800 letters from Mono Lake Committee members voicing support for a LA-Mono Lake water replenishment plan.
The special meeting was President Richard Katz’s last day as a Commissioner (he is stepping down for personal reasons unrelated to politics). Unfortunately, the water replenishment plan was not on the agenda. However, public comment kicked off with community leaders, environmental advocates, and ratepayers expressing support for the plan advanced by Katz to use the “new water” supply afforded by the approved Tillman Water Reclamation Plant expansion to pause Mono Lake water diversions and allow the lake to rise to the healthy level mandated by the State Water Board.
When Alejandra Garcia, Youth Advocate with Pacoima Beautiful, spoke (19:55 in the video below), she finished with, “Let’s make this happen.” Immediately, Commissioner Nurit Katz made a point of saying, “Thank you for speaking and for the support for local water. Thank you so much. I will reiterate my commitment to try and continue the work of President Katz.”
Thanks in part to the large number of letters the Board received, the LA-Mono Lake replenishment plan has DWP staff’s attention. “I want to acknowledge the Mono Lake Committee members’ reports and comments,” said Janisse Quiñones, LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer.
While DWP staff voiced no support for pausing Mono Lake water diversions even with the new water from Tillman, there was clear support from the former Commission President. Will future Commissioners, City Council members, and the mayor’s office support Los Angeles’ commitment to a healthy 6,392-foot Mono Lake level?
Thanks to Mono Lake Committee members and partners who spoke up for Mono Lake, there is new momentum and more conversations happening in Los Angeles about the situation at Mono Lake. And DWP staff’s claim that “everything is fine at Mono Lake” is under increasing doubt.
Top photo: screenshot from the publicly broadcast meeting.