
Yesterday was a good day for Mono Lake in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council recognized the 30th anniversary of California State Water Resources Control Board Decision 1631 (D1631) by adopting a resolution establishing September 28 as Mono Lake Day.
The resolution states that “the Los Angeles City Council hereby remains steadfast in its commitment to Mono Lake and its tributaries as a part of the City’s sustainable water future and declares September 28th to be Mono Lake Day.” Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Tim McOsker introduced the commendatory resolution on October 1 and the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted it on October 8.
“We welcome the City Council’s resolution and thank Councilmember Yaroslavsky for her leadership,” said Geoff McQuilkin, Executive Director of the Mono Lake Committee. “The resolution maintains the City’s support for D1631, including the restoration of the lake to the healthy lake level of 6,392 feet above sea level, as ordered by the State Water Board in 1994. Looking ahead, we have collaborative work to do since the lake currently is only halfway to that requirement.”
The Mono Lake Committee was pleased to be able to work with Councilwoman Yaroslavsky’s team in drafting the language to help capture the 30-year history of the decision and its significance.

Earlier this year, in response to a request from the Committee and a coalition of Los Angeles community leaders, Mayor Bass decided to not increase water diversions from the Mono Basin in order to help maintain recent lake rise (water license rules technically allowed diversions to increase nearly fourfold in 2024). These are encouraging developments that set the stage for continued collaboration between the City, the Committee, and other key parties to finish the job—and restore Mono Lake to the healthy level mandated by the State.
California water issues have a storied history. McQuilkin added, “The story of Mono Lake shows that we can restore Mono Lake while also ensuring a sustainable water supply for the people of Los Angeles.” The State Water Board has indicated that it plans to hold a hearing, likely in 2025, to address the issue of how to achieve the healthy lake level required in D1631. The date for that hearing has not yet been set.
Mono Lake Day
WHEREAS, thirty years ago on September 28, 1994, Los Angeles leaders – including the Mayor, City Councilmembers, and Department of Water and Power Commissioners – joined the Mono Lake Committee and many other stakeholders to support the State Water Resources Control Board’s historic Decision 1631 regarding Mono Lake, resolving a multi-decade conflict; and
WHEREAS, the 1994 Decision on Mono Lake is considered one of the greatest environmental success stories in the history of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, Mono Lake is important to the cultural heritage of the Kootzaduka’a Tribe and people who have called the region home since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, Mono Lake hosts a unique ecosystem of national and global significance, providing food and habitat to millions of migratory birds on their journey along the Pacific Flyway, and
WHEREAS, since the issuance of Decision 1631, LADWP has invested nearly $50 million to restore and improve riparian habitats and fish populations in the tributaries to Mono Lake has reduced its exports of water from the Mono Basin by 85%; and
WHEREAS, Mono Lake is greatly valued as a place to experience a vast and unique high desert inland sea with distinctive tufa towers, millions of migratory and nesting birds, an array of wildlife, wide open spaces, and stunning views; and
WHEREAS, Mono Lake is a place of special meaning for Los Angeles residents – many of them youth – thousands of whom have participated in outdoor education programs at the lake, learned about their connection with the Eastern Sierra watershed as a source of their water, gained understanding of the relationship to environmental justice and water conservation, and engaged in hands-on restoration work at Mono Lake; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles residents value all water as a precious resource that should not be wasted and strongly support continued conservation as a core strategy for assuring a sustainable water future for the City; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles is committed to environmental stewardship to ensure the survival of vital resources like Mono Lake while also managing water wisely to ensure the human right to water, particularly in these challenging times of extended drought, greater weather disruptions, and climate change impacts; and
WHEREAS, the State Water Board Decision launched a program to restore many miles of riparian forest and fish and wildlife habitat along the streams and tributaries to Mono Lake, and the Department of Water and Power in collaboration with the Mono Lake Committee, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Trout, has implemented restoration projects, operational changes, and commitments to facilities modifications that have delivered significant habit restoration successes; and
WHEREAS, an education program founded thirty years ago by Mothers of East Los Angeles and the Mono Lake Committee brings Los Angeles youth to Mono Lake for a week-long program to learn about the City’s extended watershed, wise water use, and the natural world, and operates with the partnership support of the Department of Water and Power; and
WHEREAS, the City and Mono Lake supporters are united in their joint commitment to environmental justice, biodiversity, local water, and a future in which lakes, streams, cities, wildlife and people all have an opportunity to thrive;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Los Angeles City Council hereby remains steadfast in its commitment to Mono Lake and its tributaries as a part of the City’s sustainable water future and declares September 28th to be Mono Lake Day.
Presented by Katy Yaroslavsky, Councilwoman, 5th District
Seconded by Tim McOsker, Councilmember, 15th District
Top photo courtesy of the City of Los Angeles. Pictured left to right: Councilmember Tim McOsker, Geoff McQulkin of the Mono Lake Committee, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, !mark Lopez of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, and Ruth Galanter, former Member of the Los Angeles City Council.