L.A.D.W.P. Metro Water Yard history

1902 The Reclamation Act is enacted by Congress and planning begins on a federal reclamation project in the Owens Valley for irrigation of as much as 185,000 acres.

1905 Construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct is commenced.

By 1910, half a million people live in the county, nearly five times as many as in two decades prior.

The monumental completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913 secured the City of Los Angeles as an oasis for opportunity.

1914 The State Constitution is amended to allow taxation of property owned by cities and other entities outside of their boundaries. (Land owned by Los Angeles in Owens Valley becomes taxable under the amendment.)

The flood is enough to convince the State Legislature to pass the Flood Control Act in 1915 establishing the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.

By 1924, the Los Angeles Aqueduct was viewed as insufficient to fulfill Southern California's growing water needs.

1925 Merchants demand reparations for loss of business due to Los Angeles’ purchase of the valley’s farm lands; in response, a state law is passed that allows Los Angeles to purchase properties in towns.

In 1927, he became involved in the Los Angeles-Owens Valley water controversy and published articles and editorials which championed the Owens Valley’s cause.

Los Angeles announces that it would purchase any commercial, residential or agricultural property offered for sale. (By 1933, Los Angeles has purchased 85 percent of the valley’s residential and commercial property and 95 percent of the valley’s farm and ranch land.)

1934 Los Angeles files water rights application for 200 cfs of water from the Mono Basin and commences construction of an 11-mile underground water tunnel to hydraulically connect the Mono Basin with the Owens River.

1938-44 Los Angeles begins selling properties in valley towns directly back into private ownership (not at auction)–but without the associated water rights. (By

In 1939, Southern California had secured additional water from the Colorado River Aqueduct.

1941 Los Angeles completes construction of Mono Craters Tunnel and begins water diversions from Mono Basin.

1944 Los Angeles ceases direct sales of town lands in the valley on the advice of the City Attorney that direct sales are illegal.

1945 Charles Brown Act is enacted which requires Los Angeles to grant existing tenants of its land in Inyo County the first right of refusal on lease renewals and land sales.

1947 Los Angeles resumes sales of its Owens Valley town properties at public auction (without water rights).

1952 LADWP diverts the river from the Owens River Gorge (downstream of Long Valley Dam) to produce hydroelectric power.

1957 Fish and Game Code §5937 is adopted which requires the owner of a dam to release sufficient water below the dam to keep fish below the dam in good condition.

In 1959, voters approve the establishment of the Water Replenishment District to manage and protect groundwater.

Construction begins in 1961 and takes decades to complete.

1963 LADWP announces its plan to construct a second aqueduct from the Owens Valley to Los Angeles.

1968 The California Constitution is amended to change the manner of assessment of Los Angeles-owned property in Owens Valley and to prohibit Inyo County from taxing water exported from Owens Valley.

Because of significant adverse impacts from 1970 to 1970, LADWP committed in the EIR to maintain most E/M projects as mitigation measures and to implement additional mitigation measures.

1972 In December, Inyo County commences CEQA litigation against Los Angeles seeking the preparation of an EIR on the Second Aqueduct and a halt to Los Angeles’s increased groundwater pumping.

1979 The Charles Brown Act is amended to permit the sale of leased Los Angeles-owned property at public auction if the lessee has requested such a sale 30 days in advance.

County Water Policy The Resolution reaffirms the policy set forth in the Groundwater Ordinance adopted by the voters in 1980.

PROVISIONS OF THE 1982 MOU

1983 California Supreme Court rules that the “Public Trust Doctrine” applies to LADWP’s diversions from streams that are tributary to Mono Lake.

As a result of the prolonged drought beginning in 1987 and the failure of vegetation and groundwater levels to recover to baseline conditions under ON-OFF groundwater management, the Standing Committee adopts a “Drought Recovery Policy” that augments ON-OFF management.

1989 The County and LADWP reach a preliminary agreement on a long term water agreement.

1991 An accidental rupture of a pipe supplying Los Angeles’s hydroelectric plant causes water to begin flowing in the Owens Gorge.

LA County convenes a team of public agencies and nonprofits to revise the 1996 LA River Master Plan.

1997 On May 23, 1997, the Appellate Court discharges its writ requiring the preparation of an EIR on the Water Agreement and LADWP’s pumping.

On October 27, 1998, Inyo County adopts a Groundwater Ordinance (Ordinance 1004) to regulate exports of groundwater.

Looking back in 1999, the Los Angeles Times will write: “Intense rainfall and flash flooding were as much a part of the region’s natural cycle as hot summers and Santa Ana winds…”

STUDIES AND EVALUATIONS BY ECOSYSTEM SCIENCES Under the direction of LADWP and the County, Ecosystem Sciences is to conduct the following studies and evaluations: (The studies and evaluations are to be completed within three years of the discharge of the writ—by May 2000.)

2001 On December 4, 2001, the Sierra Club and the Owens Valley Committee file an action in Inyo County Superior Court (Case No.

In October 2004, the Sierra Club files a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles in Inyo Superior Court (Case No.

2005 By letter dated September 20, 2005, the County informs EPA that the County will forego the EPA grant funds.

In 2006, Los Angeles owns 251,898 acres in Inyo County–198,203 acres are leased for ranching and there are 166 business leases.

A requirement that a permanent baseflow of approximately 40 cfs be established in the LORP by July 25, 2007;

2008 The MOU parties and others continue to work through the “ad hoc” process to develop plans for the use of 1,600 acre feet of water per year at Hines Spring and other locations and for enhancement of Yellow-billed Cuckoo habitat at Baker Creek and Hogback Creek.

Among other devastating environmental effects, the drought kills 102 million trees; 62 million of them die in 2016 alone.