Environmental Stewardship

As stewards of the Eastern Sierra, we use best management practices to protect water quality, habitat, biodiversity, and endangered and threatened species throughout the Owens Valley, Long Valley, and Mono Basin watersheds. To support these efforts, we leave approximately half of the water that was historically exported to Los Angeles in the Eastern Sierra. We currently have over 100 environmental initiatives in Inyo and Mono counties focused on protecting and sustaining the environment. These include restoring 63 miles of the Lower Owens River through our rewatering efforts and improving 78,000 acres of land along the river. Additionally, we have enhanced nearly 2,000 acres of wetlands to support the local ecology of the Lower Owens River. Further, LADWP has invested $2.5 billion in EPA-approved dust control measures in Owens Valley, successfully reducing dust emissions from Owens Lake by 99.4%, bringing them well within the attainment of environmental standards.

Below are some of the current environmental efforts we are working on. 

Black Rock Waterfowl Management Area

LADWP and Inyo County have developed a five-year Interim Management and Monitoring Plan for the Blackrock Waterfowl Management Area. This Interim Plan sets out to enhance habitat for Lower Owens River Project waterbird indicator species including shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds, and provide opportunities for local and migratory bird populations by incorporating a seasonal flooding regime.   

INTERIM PLAN PRESENTATION


Pictured: One of the four management area units within the project named 'Drew Unit' . Full map.

Mono Basin Restoration

To date, LADWP has 66 ongoing, in progress or complete restoration efforts in the Mono Basin alone. As a result, while the entire state grapples with the impacts of climate change, the ecological vibrancy of the Mono Basin continues to be restored.

WATCH VIDEO

DOWNLOAD  2/15/23 MONO LAKE PRESENTATION



Pictured: Grant Lake

Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation

We put extraordinary effort into protecting habitat used for nesting and breeding by the Bi-State Sage-Grouse. We worked with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to develop the Conservation Strategy and the recently completed Long Valley Adaptive Management Plan for Bi-State Sage-Grouse. We also participate as part of the executive oversight committee, technical advisory committee and work with the local area working group.

Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Program

Conservation Efforts in Mono Basin 

Since 1994, LADWP’s environmental stewardship has largely led to the restoration of the Mono Basin and to a positive trend in Mono Lake's water level — Mono Lake remains the only terminal lake with a positively-trending lake level in California.

Our Commitment to Being Good Stewards - Inyo/LA Water Agreement  

Inyo County and the City of Los Angeles reached a preliminary agreement on a joint, long-term groundwater management plan on August 1, 1989, known as the Inyo/Los Angeles Long-Term Water Agreement and its accompanying Technical Appendix (Green Book). The plan outlined the operational structure for ensuring a reliable source of water for L.A. and protecting resources in Owens Valley. Under the Inyo/LA Water Agreement, 113 commitments (64 mitigation projects and 49 environmental obligations) were identified. The 64 mitigation projects include a broad range of environmental efforts, such as the Lower Owens River Project, several spring and wildlife habitat enhancement projects, 1,100 acres of native vegetation projects, and various recreation and other community-based initiatives.

Inyo/LA Standing Committee

Next Meeting:
AGENDA

The Inyo/Los Angeles Water Agreement establishes the continued existence of the two committees, the Standing Committee and the Inyo/LA Technical Group to represent the parties in implementing the Water Agreement. The Standing Committee includes Inyo and L.A. policymakers and provides direction to the Inyo/LA Technical Group which is comprised of Inyo and L.A. technical staff.

Inyo/LA Technical Group

Next Meeting: 
AGENDA

The Technical Group is comprised of five representatives from the County and five representatives from Los Angeles.