Design Observer :: Join the Discussion http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/ en-us Design Observer Group 2012-11-12T15:32:32-05:00 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0
http://places.designobserver.com/feature/the-very-hungry-city/32058/

Note that Barry Lehrman graciously granted permission to reproduce his photo of halobacteria on the Owens Lake playa, above, and we've linked to his blog.

—Eds.]]> http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2012-11-12T15:32:32-05:00 http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2012-11-09T12:15:37-05:00
Reading your story has made me feel the pain you felt at the time of your writing. It is sad how man's selfishness has turned against him! God was never stupid when he decided to create things the way they are but at the rate at which man is destroying the environment, little does he know that the environment can give him a taste of his own medicine.
I don't know if you believe in God, but Owens' aftermaths are a sign of God's anger.
Anyway, one lays ones bed, so one can sleep in it... Right?
I hope the beauty of that land will return someday when the regional people believe they have had enough of Owen's lashes. Thanks.]]> Lanny Kimbowa http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-08-15T09:25:25-05:00
Mr. Schade is obviously proud of the progress that has been made, perhaps deservedly so; but nothing in his comment appears to substantiate the assertion that the article contains incorrect information. Whether it is misleading or not seems to depend on how you view this whole situation: as an ongoing environmental (and cultural) mess, or as a partly succesful remedial effort. Both may be true.

What I wonder is, if the cost of replacing 1/3 of the Owens River water is $24 million/yr, could DWP replace the whole thing for $75M/yr? And thereby avoid all the upcoming mitigation costs, plus the $18M/yr already being spent on maintenance... Seems like this option might be cheaper, and it would surely be far better environmentally. ]]> Tim in Albion http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-02-11T21:40:15-05:00
Ms. Piper misrepresents the decade of research that led to three proven dust control techniques. She seems to indicate that the dust control area is killing many birds (20 birds out of over 40,000 is negligible). She is also apparently unaware of the current effort supported by many local groups and the LADWP to implement an Owens Lake Master Plan that will guarantee perpetual protection of the incredible habitat that has been created, while improving water use and operational efficiencies.

Ms. Piper criticizes the cost of the project. When all costs are taken into consideration (construction, operation and water) the cost to control dust from Owens Lake is about $1,000 per ton. This is less than one-tenth the cost to control PM-10 in Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley. It is a costly project, but we started with a lot of dust - about 80,000 tons per year.

Finally, from a dust control standpoint, air pollution levels have been reduced by about 90 percent since the start of construction in 2000. We estimate the area will meet the federal air quality standard in about 5 years.

I am disappointed in this article.]]> Ted Schade http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-28T13:42:20-05:00 Bill http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-28T10:31:23-05:00 Jennifer Jones http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T23:15:33-05:00
Had heard of Owens Lake for years, but had never heard the whole story. Gives a whole new take on the Aqueduct!!

As I am worried about Biodiversity on Earth???

I live in the Antelope Valley -- and there are also lakes here that are totally dried up now ... can't help but wondering -- what about shifting the river back so we have a restored lake? I am worried about the really long-term effects of what was done to water Los Angeles with the Owens River water .... and someone wants to build more developments in L.A. County???? Wonder where the water permits would come from????]]> Ruth Sandra http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T23:03:35-05:00 MAS http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T17:50:30-05:00 hans portegies http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T17:38:27-05:00 Jennifer http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T17:33:57-05:00 Garrison http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T16:37:22-05:00 tlc http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-27T04:19:42-05:00 Riley http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-26T09:51:58-05:00
Thanks for noting this We made the change. Looking forward to your book!

Nancy]]> Nancy Levinson http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-25T18:28:20-05:00
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15017747?source=pkg]]> David Zetland http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-25T10:42:48-05:00 damian http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-25T08:47:50-05:00 Kay http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-24T19:30:03-05:00 Tom Hilton http://places.designobserver.com/feature/dreams-dust-and-birds-the-trashing-of-owens-lake/23328/#comments 2011-01-24T18:22:39-05:00