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6 - In the Wake of Audubon

The Legal and Political Aftermath

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2026

Erin Ryan
Affiliation:
Florida State University
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Summary

The Audubon Society decision was a seminal step toward the protection of Mono Lake, but only the first step – and an uncertain one at best. It required the Water Board to consider Mono’s public trust values before adjudicating new permits, but without specifying how to balance the competing interests at stake. Moreover, it was not the only means by which advocates fought to protect the area. Policy proposals and new litigation added force to the court’s command that the state take its obligation to protect the Mono Basin environment seriously. This chapter addresses the legal, legislative, and political aftermath of Audubon Society. It reviews the creation of the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and traces the complex CalTrout litigation to protect the Mono Basin creeks. It recounts how the Water Board ultimately implemented all Basin litigation in Decision 1631, the historic legal moment that ensured more water for Mono Lake. Finally, it addresses the brave choices Los Angeles made in response – water conservation decisions that changed the direction of Mono Basin recovery. The chapter closes with an update on the ongoing efforts to protect the Mono Basin and Owens Valley.

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  • In the Wake of Audubon
  • Erin Ryan, Florida State University
  • Book: Law for the Land
  • Online publication: 27 February 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316761427.008
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  • In the Wake of Audubon
  • Erin Ryan, Florida State University
  • Book: Law for the Land
  • Online publication: 27 February 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316761427.008
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • In the Wake of Audubon
  • Erin Ryan, Florida State University
  • Book: Law for the Land
  • Online publication: 27 February 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316761427.008
Available formats
×