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.
Owens Lake
Located approximately 220 miles from downtown Los Angeles and fed by run-off from the snowcapped Sierra Nevada, Owens Lake is home to the largest Dust Mitigation Program in the United States covering approximately 48.6 square miles of lakebed which has successfully reduced dust emissions by 99.4% while creating incredibly productive habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Restoration and Conservation Efforts in Mono Basin
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. Mono Lake remains the only terminal lake with a positively-trending lake level in California.
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.
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.
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: 2026
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: 2026
The Technical Group is comprised of five representatives from the County and five representatives from Los Angeles.
Additional Environmental Reports and Programs
Lower Owens River Project
Monthly Reports
Flow Reports
Owens Valley Reports
Owens Valley Revegetation Report - 2021
Owens Valley Mitigation Report - 2021
Invasive Mussels
Water Safety Information
Contact
- 300 Mandich Street Bishop CA 93514