Dust Pollution From Owens Lake

Re “Owens Valley Plan Seeks L.A. Water to Curb Pollution,” Dec. 17: The people of Los Angeles should be aware that dust from Owens Lake is the single largest source of pollution in the U.S. Its billowing clouds containing arsenic and other health hazards have been tracked as far as Chicago from the most severe storms.

The population and thirst of L.A. have increased manyfold since the water rights were first acquired, and continue to grow. I believe that the DWP needs to follow the lead of Santa Catalina--no more water hookups. New construction there must not only provide its own water, but enough for additional new construction as well. The DWP should obtain new sources for new requirements. While desalination is expensive, so are aqueducts to Northern California. While such a course would slow the growth of the L.A. basin, this would be beneficial to all concerned in the long run.

I attended the meeting when the air pollution board voted on the plan, following 14 years of experiments, tests, measurements and deliberations. A representative of the DWP firmly pointed out that it was against the law to use any aqueduct water to solve the dust problem and it would be contested in court. How sad that our leaders are so protective of their local domain that they can’t compromise for the benefit of the whole.

BOB CORZINE

Ridgecrest

* Inasmuch as one of the early water barons made the remarkable statement, “We stole it [the water] fair and square,” the best alternative would be for Los Angeles to apologize to Owens Valley and then return the water. All of it!

TRENT D. SANDERS

La Canada