Mono Lake: an incredibly important water resource for the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley areas. An example of how environmental battles are never quite actually won. An example of power over people. An example of just how really, really, expensive water is. After LA had pumped the Owens Valley dry, had drained Owens Lake into a dust bowl, eliminated almost all of the farming, the water interests began draining Mono Lake and shipping the water hundreds of miles to LA. Never mind that it is on the international flyway for ducks, is the nesting ground for most of California’ sea gulls, and many other species. Then, after more than a decade of fighting, LA was required by law to restore a prescribed level of water in the lake. After 20 years, LA still has not raised the water level to the specified level and the consequences continue.