March 11, 2021
“While we are still reviewing the details of the Court’s ruling, we are concerned with the precedent it could set for all water agencies trying to responsibly manage environmental needs and water operations when faced with volatile water supply conditions and a changing climate reality. What the ruling neglects to recognize is that a water system simply cannot be static. Every year, LADWP must adapt its water operations to respond to changes in weather, be it wet or dry, and the needs of the environment and communities we serve. Our operations in Mono County have always been and continue to be a reflection of changing factors that any responsible agency must consider including annual runoff, storage capacity, environmental needs and more. Further, we believe that LADWP was and is continuing to operate under the terms of leases that were approved in 2010.
LADWP’s relationship with Mono County dates back nearly a hundred years, and we are committed to its continuation. LADWP continues to invest in ongoing environmental restoration projects in the region that have helped restore stream flows in Mono Basin and create a healthy environment for wildlife habitats to thrive.”
— Joe Ramallo, Assistant General Manager Communications and Public Affairs, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
