California IN BRIEF : EL DORADO COUNTY : Water Release Into Streams Continued

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has been ordered to continue releasing water into four Mono Lake streams that have suffered damage from diversions into the city’s aqueduct. El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Terrence Finney ruled on behalf of the National Audubon Society and Mono Lake Committee, which had said Los Angeles’ diversions through the years have eliminated fisheries and streamside flora. Los Angeles was required by earlier rulings to give up part of its water supply to restore the streams and Mono Lake. But the new order details the minimum flows Los Angeles must maintain down Parker, Walker, Lee Vining and Rush creeks. A hearing to set the minimum water level of Mono Lake also is set to begin June 19.