The Inyo County/Los Angeles Water Agreement provides that each year the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will develop an annual operations and pumping plan for the Owens Valley consistent with the goals of the Agreement. By April 20, LADWP must submit to the County a proposed plan for the twelve month period beginning April 1. The County has 10 days (April 30) to comment on DWP's proposal. LADWP must meet with the County's Technical Group representatives within 10 (May 10) days of the receipt of the County's comments to try to resolve the County's concerns. LADWP then has 10 days after meeting with the County to revise its operations and pumping plan and then implement the plan.
An important component of the DWP Operation Plan is the Pumping Program.
In 1990, the County and LADWP adopted a Drought Recovery Policy that requires the Inyo/Los Angeles Standing Committee's approval of LADWP's annual operations and pumping plans before LADWP implements the plan.