Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve Threatened
During the past few weeks, events here in the Mono Basin have proven that keeping a watchful eye on Mono Lake and the surrounding area is always necessary.
The Mono County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution that calls for the state legislature to move the existing boundary of Mono Lake’s relicted lands—former lakebed now exposed due to water diversions—from an elevation of 6417 feet to 6392 feet above sea level. Although intended to help resolve a local land use dispute, the hastily passed resolution calls for changes that threaten the existence of the Tufa State Reserve: the language of the resolution would remove the land base of the Reserve, effectively eliminating the Reserve itself.
Since the passing of the resolution on February 15, there has been positive progress. The Board of Supervisors and our state legislators have been inundated with letters, phone calls, and emails from members and other Mono Lake enthusiasts expressing concern about the resolution and support for the Reserve. This response from Committee members has helped tremendously! At press time, the private property owners and the State are working towards an administrative solution outside of the legislative process. The Board of Supervisors has also issued a letter clarifying that it never intended “to undermine the land base of the Tufa State Reserve, nor to adversely affect the Reserve in any fashion.” We expect an administrative agreement will be reached, and that the Board’s resolution will then be withdrawn.
The Tufa State Reserve is a symbol of California’s recognition of the ecological and public trust importance of Mono Lake, and the Reserve staff have done more to provide hands-on protection of Mono Lake’s natural resources than any other entity. Established in 1982 as a unit of the State Park system, the Reserve couples overall park protections with specific responsibility for “protecting the tufa and associated sand structures and providing for their interpretation.” Within that mandate, State Reserve staff cover a lot of ground including law enforcement, public safety, interpretive programs, and a general field presence for visitors. The Tufa State Reserve has provided interpretive tours, star talks, stream walks, discovery camps, and campfire programs to nearly 3.5 million visitors since its creation.
So, how can you help? Please voice your concern and support for the Tufa State Reserve, either by returning the action alert letter mailed to members in March or by writing the Board of Supervisors directly at P.O. Box 715, Bridgeport, CA 93517. If possible, plan to attend the scheduled May 2 meeting with the Mono County Board of Supervisors. The agenda will be to hear public testimony regarding this issue, review the status of the settlement between the landowners and the State, and if necessary, the Board may take further action that they deem appropriate at that time. Finally, keep current on all the latest developments by accessing our website at www.monolake.org.
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