Mono Basin Updates
Forest Service Scenic Area faces further budget cuts
A year after implementing a fee program for South Tufa and its Visitor Center exhibits, the Forest Service is handling budget cuts by further reducing funding for operations in the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area.
The Forest Service Visitor Center opened in 1993 and immediately offered a broad array of interpretive programs, as well as lengthy summer hours of operation. In 1998, staffing is substantially reduced and field programs will be limited to more popular events such as South Tufa walks and nighttime star programs. The Center will be open daily, but with reduced hours. With millions of dollars invested in Mono Basin facilities and significant land management responsibilities, it is critical that the Scenic Area's budget not be cut further.
Conway Ranch purchase complete
Escrow closed on the Conway Ranch, and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) now owns this historic property in the north Mono Basin. Under the terms of its agreement with Mono County, TPL will sell the ranch to the county once the county raises sufficient grant funds. Ultimately, it's anticipated that Conway Ranch will be owned and managed by Mono County.
In the agreement between Mono County and TPL, the county described its interest in the property as a site for fish-rearing facilities, open space preservation, wetlands mitigation banking, waterfowl habitat maintenance and enhancement, and historical and cultural preservation.
The Bureau of Land Management is considered a back-up buyer if the county fails to raise all the funds needed.
Mono Basin highway widening
CalTrans will spend $10 million this summer to widen the shoulder along Highway 395 roughly between Old Marina and Cemetery Road, along the west shore of the lake. Attention will be required to avoid impact to the lake and its shoreline.
Drawing on resources from a gravel plant near Rush Creek, CalTrans also plans to expand seven miles of Highway 395 south of Lee Vining to four lanes in the year 2000. This will include crossings of Rush, Lee Vining, Walker, and Parker creeks. Committee staff will be keeping an eye on these projects and their potential lake and creek impacts.
Water Board to release restoration plans soon
In mid-April, and again in mid-May, the State Water Resources Control Board met to review its staff recommendations on the Mono Basin Restoration Plans. The Water Board's decision was not released in time to include in this newsletter; watch for details on our website!
The pending decision on the restoration plans will complete the Water Board's precedent-setting efforts to protect Mono Lake. In its 1994 decision, the Water Board not only ordered specific protections for Mono Lake and its streams, but it also required DWP to develop restoration plans for the lake's tributary streams and for waterfowl habitat.
The restoration plans before the Water Board were presented as a Settlement Agreement among many parties since the plans drawn up by DWP in 1996 were considered unsatisfactory by many--including the Committee.
The Water Board may approve the Settlement Agreement, reject it, or order specific modifications.
The Committee is particularly eager to have this decision in hand, since certain activities, most notably monitoring of recovery, are "treading water" until the decision is released.
Some restoration monitoring slated for 1998
Despite the lack of a Water Board decision, the entities who have been engaged in the Mono Lake struggle for years met in March and discussed their respective plans for "ad hoc" monitoring in 1998.
DWP will continue the stream monitoring work it began voluntarily last year under the direction of Bill Trush, mapping two more sections of stream channel along Rush and Lee Vining creeks. DWP also will continue to fund Dr. Joseph Jehl Jr., who conducts migratory bird studies and who last year included boat and aerial surveys of waterfowl. In addition, the Department of Fish & Game plans to conduct two aerial waterfowl censuses in the fall.
No FERC news
No decision has been announced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the relicensing of the Lundy power plant. The terms of the license could address upgrading the power plant return ditch, which returns water to Mill Creek after it has passed through the power plant. Upgrading the return ditch will be necessary to increase flows in Mill Creek for restoration purposes.
HR 859 temporarily defeated
There will be no hearings, and thus no action, in Congress this year on a proposed bill that would have repealed water conserving, ultra-low flush toilet standards. Letters from Mono Lake supporters helped accomplish this! However, the bill is likely to be reintroduced next year. Click here for the latest news on this bill.
Return to Spring-Summer 1998 Newsletter
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