Existing comment:
Mono Lake: A Struggle of Water and Conscience:
Oasis in the Desert:
Were you surprised to see a huge lake filling this desert basin? Mono Lake is an ancient inland sea, an oasis for over a million migrating and nesting birds. Although the importance of Mono Lake to birds and other wildlife is now well known, this was not always the case.
A Fading Oasis:
In 1941, the City of Los Angeles extended its aqueduct system into the Mono Basin, diverting water from four of the six mountain streams that feed Mono Lake. Without the fresh water from the streams, the lake lost more to evaporation than it gained. Mono dropped nearly fifty vertical feet, shrinking to half its volume. The streams were often dry. These drastic changes impacted the health of the whole ecosystem.
Changing Perspectives:
Although the negative ecological impacts were great, the city's actions were considered legal at the time. When the scenic and biological values of Mono Lake were realized, the legality of the city's excessive water diversions came into question. State courts rules that a better balance needed to be struck between the needs of the city and the needs of the natural world.
In 1994, the California State Water Board ordered that the lake be raised 17 feet to an elevation of 6392 over the next 20-30 years, and required extensive restoration of Mono Basin streams and wetlands.
Although human action has harmed Mono Lake's ecosystem in the past, now we are part of the healing process through restoration work. Aldo Leopold's vision of the land ethic is being applied in the restoration of Mono Lake and its streams.
"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."
-- Aldo Leopold |