South Tufa, Mono Lake, CA
www.monolake.org/today/2016/05/05/breaking-news-drones-pr...
"Drones prohibited from flying over Mono Lake’s State Park"
May 5th, 2016 by Lisa, Eastern Sierra Policy Director
"California State Parks has issued a decisive and progressive special order just in time for summer: Unmanned aircraft—“drones”—are now prohibited from flying over land and water in the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. No longer will birds, wildlife, and visitors need to endure the buzzing disruption of drones along Mono Lake’s shore.
Specifically, Order Number 683-16-018 states, “Unmanned aircraft, also known as ‘drones,’ ‘quad-copters’ and similar are hereby restricted from non-permitted operation over the state lands and water under the operational control of California State Parks.”
The special order comes in response to last summer’s myriad drone disturbances—drones flying over nesting Osprey, flushing foraging shorebirds, and hovering over people on walking tours. Working hand-in-hand with the State, Mono Lake Committee staff documented incidents over the last year and based on these observations it became clear that recreational drone use was a problem at Mono Lake. With this new order Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve now joins the ranks of Yosemite National Park and designated wilderness areas as “no-fly zones” for drones."
Clarification by Lisa, Eastern Sierra Policy Director:
"To clarify, the new regulation prohibits recreational drone use. Using drones for scientific research or commercial use is still allowed if a permit is approved by the State Park agency in advance. We absolutely recognize that drones are useful tools for some purposes, which is why their use is allowed with a permit.
The ban is year-round because there are still birds (and other wildlife) here at Mono Lake in the winter, but also because drones have not only been a problem for wildlife but for visitors as well."
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How Water Makes Rock:
When calcium-rich springs flow up through the lake botton, the calcium bonds to carbonates in the lake water. Together they form calcium carbonate, a type of limestone. This solid material builds on itself, gradually forming a tufa tower. When the lake level drops, the exposed tufa stops growing.
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South Tufa, Mono Lake, CA
How Water Makes Rock:
When calcium-rich springs flow up through the lake botton, the calcium bonds to carbonates in the lake water. Together they form calcium carbonate, a type of limestone. This solid material builds on itself, gradually forming a tufa tower. When the lake level drops, the exposed tufa stops growing.
© All Rights Reserved
South Tufa, Mono Lake, CA (Jack)
How Water Makes Rock:
When calcium-rich springs flow up through the lake botton, the calcium bonds to carbonates in the lake water. Together they form calcium carbonate, a type of limestone. This solid material builds on itself, gradually forming a tufa tower. When the lake level drops, the exposed tufa stops growing.
© All Rights Reserved
Rock Wren, Mono Lake (South Tufa), CA (Jack)
© All Rights Reserved
Rock Wren, Mono Lake (South Tufa), CA (Jack)
© All Rights Reserved