Through agreement, ordinance, and resolution, Inyo County has established a comprehensive regulatory policy to protect its economy and environment from the effects of groundwater exports. The documents listed here establish the standards and authority for the County’s regulation of these projects.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) also affects Inyo County’s water policy. The MOU is a settlement between Inyo County, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, the California Department of Fish & Game, the State Lands Commission, the Sierra Club, and the Owens Valley Committee that helped to end 25 years of litigation over Owens Valley water. The MOU sets out numerous environmental projects and studies to be implemented by the County and LADWP.

The Stipulation and Order 2004 is a settlement of certain issues raised in litigation between the Sierra Club, Owens Valley Committee, California Department of Fish and Game, California State Lands Commission, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The stipulation amends the 1997 Memorandum of Understanding between these parties to include dates for implementation of the Lower Owens River Project and procedures for conducting the Hines Spring and Yellow-billed Cuckoo provisions of the MOU. The stipulation is an enforceable Order of the Inyo County Superior Court.