Storm Brewing Over The Future Of Mono Lake And LA's Water Diversions

Mono Lake is one of the jewels of the Eastern Sierra. Its saline waters have created a unique ecosystem, providing habitat for everything from brine shrimp to migratory birds. But for years Mono Lake has had a problem – water diversions made by the City of Los Angeles. They reduced the level of the lake, harming both the ecosystem and creating massive dust clouds. In the mid-1990’s a deal was reached that both the LA Department of Water and Power and conservationists hoped would save the lake, and increase water levels by reducing the diversions. But now climate change is posing a threat to that plan, and it could set off a big conflict over the future of the late.A new report by journalist Louis Sahagun in the Los Angeles Times details the looming fight. He joined us on Valley Edition to talk more about what both sides are saying about the lake's future in a changing climate.