Intriguing Legal Strategy

[WanderingBlues]

An article on possible use of imminent domain and crowd funding to purchase back land from LADWP. Anyone want to weigh in on what could definitely impact fishing opportunities.

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-owens-valley-eminent-domain-20170712-story.html

[DrCreek]

Whatever happens, I'm sure anyone losing money will find another way to get their hands deeper into our pockets to recoup any monies they feel they've lost.

[NorcalBob]

Please remember that under state eminent domain laws, Inyo County would be required to pay "fair market value" for the lands they want. A big difference is using eminent domain to acquire the referenced landfill versus trying to get back all the "purchased" land in which LADWP acquired the water rights. Inyo County might have the funds to pay "fair market value" for the landfill (that's just speculation on my part that they have money), but I seriously doubt that they have the funds to acquire all LADWP lands. Plus, there's the added problem of valuation of said water rights that LADWP would be very reluctant to give up. IMNSHO, this is nothing more than masculine chest beating on Inyo County's part and will go nowhere (since I doubt the county has enough money).

[WanderingBlues]

I'm not a fan of the way LA wastes water, but I defer to the esteemed BobK on this matter when he indicates that public fishing access exists because LADWP has allowed it, whereas private ranches would probably have not.

I actually thought post 9/11, access would be curtailed given the strategic nature of the water. I was surprised it wasn't fenced.

We'll see what happens.

[lucfish]

I'm not a fan of the way LA wastes water, but I defer to the esteemed BobK on this matter when he indicates that public fishing access exists because LADWP has allowed it, whereas private ranches would probably have not.

I actually thought post 9/11, access would be curtailed given the strategic nature of the water. I was surprised it wasn't fenced.

We'll see what happens.

You are correct.

[DarkShadow]

I'm not a fan of the way LA wastes water, but I defer to the esteemed BobK on this matter when he indicates that public fishing access exists because LADWP has allowed it, whereas private ranches would probably have not.

Hit the nail on the head.

[acorad]

Not to mention the Owens Valley could very easily - perhaps very probably - have ended up looking more like Bakersfield or Fresno than any kind of ranch.

Andy

[DarkShadow]

Not to mention the Owens Valley could very easily - perhaps very probably - have ended up looking more like Bakersfield or Fresno than any kind of ranch.

Andy

"But I love Bakertucky and Fresneck," says everybody I know, facetiously. "Let's spend the weekend there!"

I have a few high school friends who are Paiutes who spend some time at the res in Bishop. I'd love to hear their take on this.

[yikes]

Years ago, Sunset magazine had an issue devoted to the Eastern Sierra, and they had commented that although LADWP decimated the Owens Valley communities, looking back after all these years it appears that their land and water grab actually saved the Eastern Sierra from overdevelopment.

[Wingnut]

Hetch Hetchy was another land grab that made SF bay area spread possible.

[BobK]

Just look at the land a mile north North of the confluence of Hot Creek and the Upper Owens. As soon as the land becomes private, there is no hunting, fishing or trespassing clear up to Big Springs, where it becomes federal property. One would be foolish to think that it would be any different down here. BobK

[Baughb]

Not to mention the Owens Valley could very easily - perhaps very probably - have ended up looking more like Bakersfield or Fresno than any kind of ranch.

Andy

So maybe the state would've built a high speed train to the Owens Valley if it was more like Fresno?

Bob

[acorad]

So maybe the state would've built a high speed train to the Owens Valley if it was more like Fresno?

Bob

Ha! And it would've made hourly stops at Bishop International Airport.

Andy