Conservation of our water resources and fishing habitats are of importance to all, and knowledge of what is happening and the status of conservation projects is needed to effectively support the environment protection efforts.

This month’s speaker, Rob Lusardi, is the Eastern Sierra Conservation Manager for California Trout (CalTrout) and is assigned to Mammoth Lakes, CA. CalTrout’s work depends heavily on fi eld staff strategically placed in distinct regions throughout California. This “pocket region” philosophy focuses on establishing relationships with local partners and agencies where wild trout and their habitat may be currently threatened. Although occasionally apparent, the value of wild trout as ecological indicators and their ability to bring economic stimulus to a region is often understated.

As the Eastern Sierra Conservation Manager, Rob has recently focused the majority of his time working with the Mammoth Community Water District establishing appropriate in stream flows for Mammoth Creek, developing responsible water conservation policy, and constructing groundwater management regimens within the Mammoth Basin. In addition to this work, Rob collaborates with the Mono Lake Committee and the Los Angeles

Department of Water and Power to ensure the successful restoration of Rush, Parker, Walker and Lee Vining Creeks, while concurrently ensuring stable and timely export flows to the Upper Owens River.

Rob grew up fl y fishing on the Swift River in Massachusetts and backpacking through the Adirondacks of upstate New York, where he realized the important economic and ecological implications of protected water sheds, wild trout, and their habitat. While on the east coast, Rob worked for the University of Massachusetts’ entomology department studying the dynamics and distribution patterns of different types of Lepidoptera before heading west.

Professionally, Rob has always expressed interest in healthy watersheds and environmental sustainability. Before coming to CalTrout, Rob worked for an environmental consulting fi rm in San Francisco where he worked closely with the Department of Defense on both aquatic and terrestrial ecological risk assessments and Geographic Information System (GIS) development. In addition to his work as an environmental consultant, Rob worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in the Columbia River Basin where he primarily focused on Chinook and Steelhead biological data acquisition and fish passage issues. Both experiences were integral to his current work towards wild trout sustainability in the Eastern Sierra.

The presentation is titled Water in the Mammoth Basin.

Water in the Mammoth Basin has provided an incredibly large economic benefit to the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County through general recreational activity, and more specifically, fl y fishing for wild trout. However, due to continued urban development and growth within the Town, water demand continues to rise while supply remains effectively unchanged. Although groundwater production continues to increase within the basin, relationships between groundwater pumping and surface flows in Mammoth Creek are unknown. Revised minimum in stream flows on Mammoth Creek may be affecting the ecological integrity of the lower watershed, including Hot Creek. Rob will describe CalTrout’s collaborative work in the Mammoth Basin and discuss the important economic and ecological values that Hot Creek and other local streams play in the development of the Eastern Sierra.