Owens Lake
The Owens Valley Committee is seeking permanent protection for thousands of shorebirds and waterfowl that are returning to California's Owens Lake.
The City of Los Angeles is building a massive dust control project that floods many square miles of the lake's surface, but coincidentally restores habitat that was lost decades ago. Now large flocks of ducks and clouds of shorebirds are stopping again at this historic wildlife "refueling stop" along the base of the Eastern Sierra.
Under the Clean Air Act, Los Angeles is required to control the regional dust hazard at Owens Lake. To wildlife lovers and pursuers of environmental justice it represents more than simply a "dust control project". It is an opportunity to allow the return of migrating and resident bird populations that once numbered in the tens of thousands. A wildlife resource that belonged to the people of California, it was a public trust.
Historically 7 to 8 sq. mi. (4,500 to 5,000 acres) of shoreline existed at Owens Lake, but today less than one-third of that habitat still exists and is protected. Currently LA shallow floods 25 square miles (16,000 acres) for dust control. Most of that is quality habitat for wildlife. But, Los Angeles plans to reduce shallow flooding to the greatest degree and use gravel or vegetation instead. Conservationists ask that a reasonable amount of California's rich wildlife past at Owens Lake be protected. Only the City of Los Angeles and the State of California can make that happen.
Visit Channel G's website by clicking here to find out what you can do to help, or visit the Owens Lake Campaign website here.
The Owens Valley Committee is seeking permanent protection for thousands of shorebirds and waterfowl that are returning to California's Owens Lake.
The City of Los Angeles is building a massive dust control project that floods many square miles of the lake's surface, but coincidentally restores habitat that was lost decades ago. Now large flocks of ducks and clouds of shorebirds are stopping again at this historic wildlife "refueling stop" along the base of the Eastern Sierra.
Under the Clean Air Act, Los Angeles is required to control the regional dust hazard at Owens Lake. To wildlife lovers and pursuers of environmental justice it represents more than simply a "dust control project". It is an opportunity to allow the return of migrating and resident bird populations that once numbered in the tens of thousands. A wildlife resource that belonged to the people of California, it was a public trust.
Historically 7 to 8 sq. mi. (4,500 to 5,000 acres) of shoreline existed at Owens Lake, but today less than one-third of that habitat still exists and is protected. Currently LA shallow floods 25 square miles (16,000 acres) for dust control. Most of that is quality habitat for wildlife. But, Los Angeles plans to reduce shallow flooding to the greatest degree and use gravel or vegetation instead. Conservationists ask that a reasonable amount of California's rich wildlife past at Owens Lake be protected. Only the City of Los Angeles and the State of California can make that happen.
Visit Channel G's website by clicking here to find out what you can do to help, or visit the Owens Lake Campaign website here.
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