Light Bytes

Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Redevelopment

The comment period closed on December 27, 2022 for public comments on the proposed redevelopment plan for what should be considered in the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) will prepare and release for review in September 2023. The Forest Service’s project website has 17 public comments posted that express concerns as well as some suggested alternatives in the EIS. [Read them all here.]

Introduction to Range of Light Group's 30x30 Priorities

30x30 priorities Virtual Presentation
Thursday, February 16th
6:30 - 8:00pm

The first in a series of presentations on 30x30, we'll outline what is currently in the works for Inyo and Mono Counties and what might be possible in the future.

We'll offer a brief introduction to 30x30 on the Federal, State, and Local levels, to Local Conservation Priorities currently underway (Conglomerate Mesa, Bodie Hills, Amargosa Basin) and other Local Conservation Priorities we have on our list (Sweetwater Mountains, Long Valley Caldera, Fish Slough, Owens Lake). Finally, we'll seek your input on lands and waters you would like to see protected. Register here.

Pine Creek Hydroelectric Project

Pine Creek Mine, LLC recently called it quits on generating electricity inside the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine at Morgan Pass. The idea was to take advantage of the water running down the long mine shafts by putting a generator at the bottom of the main shaft and by creating a reservoir above it to control the flow. Sadly, it wasn’t going to pencil out.

Large Scale Solar/Wind in the Eastern Sierra?

As fast as the state is trying to preserve nature with the 30 by 30 campaign, it is also racing to cover large swaths of land with solar panels to reach its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. The desert in particular is especially being targeted for large-scale solar projects because it is flat and companies can lease public land cheaply. There are currently two projects underway to identify where large-scale solar could go. One is with the state of California and one is with the BLM. [ Read more...]

Exploratory Drilling Updates

We are continuing to follow several potential exploratory mining projects in the Eastern Sierra.

These include potential drilling at Conglomerate Mesa, Sawtooth Ridge, Bodie Hills, and Hot Creek outside of Mammoth Lakes

[Read more...]

Saline Valley Monarch Butterfly Count

Monarch Butterflies

Yes, there are Monarchs in Saline Valley in the winter! Not because it is warm; it isn’t. But, there is food, water, and shelter for them there. Monarchs overwinter in a few canyons in the valley that have perennial water and flowering plants. To count them, one has to get up in the dark and walk up to the mouth of a canyon by flashlight so as to be at the count location by daybreak. The Monarchs are dark triangle-shaped silhouettes in the tree tops against the light morning sky. [Read more...]

Every Last Drop Sign-Up Opportunity

Every drop of water that travels from the Eastern Sierra to Los Angeles is precious. Unfortunately, a significant amount of water is lost in L.A. due to aging infrastructure. The December feature article of the Every Last Drop eNewsletter highlights the ongoing loss of water during drought years and while battling climate change. Investment into the infrastructure is needed now, waiting will just cost more. [Read more...]

Executive Committee Election Results

ExCom Elections The results are in from the Executive Committee election. Congratulations to Lynn Boulton and Malcolm Clark on your re-elections. Both Lynn and Malcolm will serve another two-year term. And congratulations to Bill Helmer who has been appointed to serve on the Executive Committee for one year and can run for election for 2024 if he'd like to continue in the role.