The Owens River Delta. Photograph by Brian Tillemans/LADWP

The MOU requires LADWP and Inyo County to implement numerous environmental projects and studies. Here is a summary of MOU projects and accomplishments since the MOU went into effect.

Lower Owens River Project: This project is a provision of the Inyo/Los Angeles water agreement; it was later identified in the EIR as compensatory mitigation for impacts that occurred between 1970 and 1990. The MOU augments the agreement and the EIR. The LORP consists of:
The Lower Owens River.A 60-mile stretch of the river channel will be rewatered, beginning at the point where the river is diverted to the Los Angeles Aqueduct and ending at Owens Lake. Flows in the river will be approximately 40 cubic feet per second (cfs). In average and above average runoff years, there will be "seasonal habitat flows" of 200 cfs, with lesser flows in drier years.

The Owens River Delta Habitat Area.Some 325 acres of wetlands at the north end of Owens Lake will receive 6-9 cfs annually to provide habitat for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other animals. Off-River Lakes and Ponds. Existing off-river lakes and ponds in the LORP area will be maintained for fisheries, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other animals.

The 1,500-Acre Blackrock Waterfowl Habitat Area. In average and above runoff years, approximately 500 acres within an overall project area of 1,500 acres will be flooded to provide habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl and other native species. In drier years, a smaller area will be flooded.

Status: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has prepared the preliminary design for a pump system to be located near Owens Lake to carry water from the river to the Los Angeles Aqueduct or to Owens Lake for dust abatement. Final designs and plans for the pump system are expected to be completed in early 2000. Ecosystem Sciences, Inc. has prepared management recommendations for the project. Inyo County retained a consultant to assist in complying with environmental laws applicable to the project. A draft EIR for the project should be completed in late 1999 or early 2000.

To date, the county has obtained $3.55 million from the federal government to offset the costs of implementing the project. The county and Los Angeles are each seeking additional federal funds for the project. Flows in the river are planned to begin by 2001.

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Habitat Evaluation:
Under the direction of LADWP and the county, ESI will evaluate Yellow-billed Cuckoo habitat in woodland areas of Hogback and Baker creeks. ESI will develop habitat enhancement plans for these areas in consultation with LADWP, the lessees for the areas, and the parties to the MOU. The evaluations will be completed by June 2000. Habitat enhancement plans will be implemented as expeditiously as possible.
Status: ESI is preparing draft habitat enhancement plans, which should be completed by the end of 1999.

Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Photo by J.A. Spendelow

Inventories of Plants and Animals at Springs and Seeps: By June 2000, LADWP and the county must complete an inventory of plants and animals at springs and seeps on Los Angeles land in the Owens Valley.
Status: ESI conducted the bulk of the inventory in the LORP area during the summer of 1998. They will complete the inventory in the northern portion of the Owens Valley in 1999.

Additional Mitigation: Under the direction of LADWP and the county, ESI will recommend on-site and/or off-site mitigation measures, including mitigation at Hines Spring, to supplement mitigation measures identified in the EIR for impacts to Owens Valley springs. LADWP is to provide 1,600 acre-feet of water per year to supply the recommended measures. The mitigation measures will be implemented by LADWP and maintained by LADWP and/or the county. The measures must be in place by June 2000.
Status: ESI has initiated its evaluation of potential mitigation sites.

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