Mono Lake needs more water, and everyone knows it … or … well … just about everyone? Los Angeles Times staff writer Ian James brings the current Mono Lake situation into sharp focus.
… conservationists say they are concerned that because the lake remains far below its natural level, ecological conditions are worsening and some bird populations have declined.
DWP’s managers disagree, saying the ecosystem is relatively healthy and the lake has benefited from the city’s efforts over the last three decades.
Even so, L.A. Board of Water and Power Commission President Richard Katz said he and other city leaders want to help boost lake levels.
“I’d like to see us not need to take water out of Mono Lake anymore — long-term goal,” Katz said.
Katz said that he plans to explore the city’s options to lessen reliance on water from the Mono Basin.
“I think Mono Lake’s a unique resource, and we ought to be doing whatever we can to make sure that it stays healthy,” Katz said.
And then, there’s the comments from Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) staff:
“I think Mono Lake is in a healthy condition,” said Adam Perez, DWP’s director of water operations.
DWP staff also suggested restricting public access to public lands during hazardous windblown dust events caused by DWP lowering the lake. Air quality regulators, however, reminded readers that “the most feasible solution is raising the lake level.”
The article shows broad consensus—from local residents to the Mono Lake Committee to the Kootzaduka’a Tribe to air quality regulators. Everyone is saying that it is time for DWP to stop taking so much water and to allow the lake to rise to the state-mandated healthy level that was established back in 1994.
Even the State Water Board says: “The fact that we have not gotten to [the 6392-foot elevation] is problematic, and we want to find a way to achieve that.”
If you don’t have a subscription to the LA Times, it’s worth wrangling one so you can see it for yourself, calling that family member in LA, or navigating your library’s digital resources. This is a must-read, top to bottom; it doesn’t disappoint.
Top photo courtesy of Lloyd Baggs.