Owens Valley Committee Position on Public Observation at the LORP Summit
After giving MOU parties prior notice, the Owens Valley Committee (OVC) submitted a press release on Wednesday, July 23 inviting the public to observe the proceedings of the upcoming (July 29-31) Lower Owens River Project (LORP) Summit. We noted that space would be limited. On Friday, July 25, the Inyo County Water Department (ICWD) and the LA DWP (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power) submitted their own press releases stating that the LORP River Summit is not open to the public.
The OVC believes it very important that public business be conducted in public unless there is a compelling reason for secrecy. Neither ICWD nor LA DWP has given any such compelling reason.
As a party to the 1997 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), OVC does not accept the authority of ICWD or LA DWP to deny public access to meetings of the MOU parties.
The OVC repeats its invitation to the public to observe the LORP River Summit on the mornings of July 29 and July 31 at 8:00 am at the DWP office in Bishop. We cannot control what ICWD or LA DWP will do, but OVC will try its best to allow the public to observe the proceedings.
The OVC has legitimate reason to be concerned with undisclosed LADWP plans (of the extraction nature ) for the LORP and a increased pump back capacity that returns waters to the Aqueduct The project is a environmental mitigation solution and the use of the LORP as a conveyance to extract… Read more »
THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED The Owens Valley Committee supports the right of the people to be aware of ideas and proposals regarding the Lower Owens River Project (LORP). The LORP is a compensatory mitigation measure that is supposed to offset the loss of seeps, springs and… Read more »
One important part of this discussion is missing. Why wasn’t this Meeting planned with the inclusion of the public ? With great respect for the Individuals involved and their respective organizations, there has been a failure for the MOU parties, LADWP, Inyo County WD, the OVC ,the Sierra Club and… Read more »
Let’s all try to keep professional and respectful about legitimate differences in opinion and strategy. Our community has many voices and they all deserve to be heard without disparagement.
Opportunities for the public to be informed and comment on LORP activities are provided throughout each year; however, attendance at next week’s LORP Summit will be limited to lessees and the staff, consultants, representatives of the MOU parties. All MOU parties including OVC will have representatives participating.
Where’s the OVC voice of reason and leadership that once existed? This is a true disappointment and irresponsible action by an organization that was once an effective participant in the defense of the Owens Valley. OVC knew this was a meeting of 1997 MOU parties and not a public meeting.… Read more »