Water Policy at Mono Lake and in California

California's increasing population is putting more and more pressure on our scarce water resources. Since its inception, the Mono Lake Committee, through cooperative solutions, has found ways of meeting L.A.'s real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas. It is now more important than ever that we be here to help solve the water policy challenges that California is facing in the future. We are excited about this challenging and rewarding work.
The Mono Lake Committee is using the experience gained in promoting wise-water use in Los Angeles to influence water policies, including the Bay-Delta CalFed process, and protection of Federal ultra-low flush toilet regulations. As part of the Los Angeles Conservation Council, the Committee is a presence at meetings of the Metropolitan Water District and the Department of Water and Power. The Committee collaborates with the Northern California Water Caucus, and represents Southern California environmental groups on the Bay Delta Advisory Council. The Advisory Council meets every eight weeks, mostly in Sacramento, and the CalFed process in a sound, consensus-building direction.

CALFED Bay-Delta Program
Of current interest throughout the state is the ongoing CALFED process which is addressing water quality and ecosystem issues in the Bay-Delta. Mono Lake Committee Board Member Martha Davis is participating in one of the CALFED advisory groups and will keep an eye out for Mono Lake connections. Click here to read a speech by Martha: STEPPING OUTSIDE THE BOX: WATER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, delivered at the UCLA Environment Symposium on March 3, 1998.

Letter to Secretary of the Interior Babbitt
The Mono Lake Committee helped organize a meeting October 21, 1998 between Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt and Southern California groups who want to improve the region and state's use of water to benefit communities and the environment. The focus of this meeting was the federal and state government's plans over the next seven years to restore the Bay-Delta ecosystem and address water quality and supply issues in Southern California.