June 4, 2021 (Mono County, CA) – Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) proudly partnered with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to clean up National Forest System lands at Grant Lake Reservoir in Mono County. The clean-up effort, which also included installing signage to ensure current fire restrictions and sustainable recreation practices are observed, was meant to prepare the area for the upcoming summer recreation season.
As one of the largest lakes in the June Lake Loop at 1,100-acres, Grant Lake Reservoir is popular with visitors for a variety of recreational activities in the area, such as fishing and motorized watersports. It also boasts impressive views of the Eastern Sierra. Amid the pandemic, Grant Lake Reservoir drew record numbers of people over the past year, some of whom left trash, human waste, and other debris. On May 24, 2021, the USFS issued an order prohibiting open fires, campfires, or charcoal fires outside of developed recreation sites in response to current dry conditions along the Eastern Sierra.
To make the surrounding areas clean and safe for everyone and to also support the recently enacted USFS fire restrictions, LADWP crews and local volunteers affiliated with Mono County and USFS completed the following tasks:
- Removed over 65 fire rings and associated trash
- Removed various miscellaneous items, such as a clawfoot bathtub, several chairs and camping equipment found on the Grant Lake beaches
- Installed regulatory and educational signs at pre-determined locations for maximum visibility; these signs were developed in collaboration with LADWP and DWP lent its sign shop to the effort.
- Installed digital highway display signs along popular access that messaged, “No Camping, No Fires” signs
“We are pleased to work with the United States Forest Service on this important clean-up effort,” said Adam Perez, LADWP Aqueduct Manager. “While we are thrilled to see visitors at Grant Lake Reservoir, we hope this serves as a reminder of the importance of practicing proper fire safety and environmental etiquette.”
“LADWP is an important partner in the management of Grant Lake,” said Megan Mullowney, Mono Lake Acting District Ranger. “With their assistance, I am hopeful we can deliver a more sustainable recreation experience for visitors and the local community in the June Lake Loop Recreation Area.”
LADWP currently has more than 100 environmental initiatives in Inyo and Mono Counties related to protecting and sustaining the environment. Learn more about LADWP’s environmental stewardship in the Eastern Sierra here.
