Mono County Roundup

Golden Mussels & Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Update

WID STATIONS OPEN LABOR DAY WEEKEND

We are happy to share that two Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Stations will be open this weekend at the Mono Basin Visitor Center (Lee Vining) and Diaz Lake (just south of Lone Pine) to help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) to Eastern Sierra waters. Please help share this information widely:

Labor Day Weekend Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination (WID) Stations:

Mono Basin Visitor Center (Lee Vining)

Diaz Lake (south of Lone Pine)

Friday, August 29 – Monday, September 1

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

All watercraft should stop at a WID station BEFORE launching. 

Thanks to Sierra Forever for providing the staffing, and to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) for covering the operating costs and providing equipment and training.

This pilot program is designed to test logistics and develop a framework for permanent WID stations in 2026. For more details, view the press release here.

OTHER AIS UPDATES

• CDFW and LADWP presented information regarding golden mussel and multi-agency AIS-prevention efforts to Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) this morning; you can watch the recording here.
• Download flyers, rack cards, and self-certification forms directly from our Fish & Wildlife Programs webpage.
• CDFW Environmental Scientists have completed three monitoring trips, with more monitoring underway this week. No golden mussels have been detected in Mono County to date.

QUICK AIS REFRESH

Golden mussels are a freshwater aquatic invasive species, first detected in California late 2024.

Our Eastern Sierra waterways are highly interconnected — if mussels enter one lake, they can easily spread throughout the region.

Golden mussels clog water systems, damage infrastructure, and disrupt fisheries, posing risks to PUDs and agencies like SCE and LADWP, and threatening recreational fishing and tourism.

Thank you for helping protect Mono County’s waters by sharing information and educating our residents and visitors.

If you have questions, please reply to this email or contact us at [email protected] – we’re happy to help or connect you with the appropriate agency.

Call for Artists & Crafters – Leaves in the Loop

The June Lake Chamber is looking for artists and crafters to join their annual Leaves in the Loop celebration this October!

Vendors will be located both at the June Lake Village near Local Scoop and at Gull Lake Park on Saturday, October 11th starting about 11:30am, alongside the chili cook-off, classic car show, pumpkin patch, and bounce house for kids.

Interested in being a vendor? Please email Amanda at littlelooperschildcare@yahoo.com.

New “Mono Minutes” E-Newsletter

Stay informed with Mono Minutes: A Summary of Board Action, Mono County’s new newsletter highlighting recent actions of the Board of Supervisors along with timely community updates and resources. Available in both English and Spanish, Mono Minutes keeps you connected to local news that matters. Subscribe today to receive it directly in your inbox: monocounty.ca.gov/newsletter/subscriptions

Community Economic Development Workshops Oct 2 to Nov 13

Join the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) for Inyo and Mono Counties for a four-session, hands-on Community Economic Development (CED) workshop series designed to spark collaboration and boost economic vitality across our Eastern Sierra gateway communities. Gain practical skills in development planning, data analysis, asset mapping, and strategic goal-setting.

This series is a great opportunity for local officials, local government staff, business and workforce leaders, civic volunteers, community associations, and emerging change makers ready to strengthen their CED skills

Held Thursdays between October 2 and November 13 from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, alternating between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. Please visit the UC website for more details, and sign up using this interest form to reserve your spot and receive updates.

Upcoming Events

News Staff