Owens Lake Scientific Advisory Panel
The Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District is pleased to announce the establishment by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine of the Owens Lake Scientific Advisory Panel (OLSAP) to provide ongoing advice on scientific and technical issues related to reduction of airborne dust in the Owens Valley. The creation of the Panel was specified in the 2014 Stipulated Judgment entered into between the District and the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The panel's first task was to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative dust control methodologies for their degree of PM10 reduction at the Owens Lake bed and to reduce use of water in controlling dust emissions from the dried lake beds.
OLSAP Final Report: Effectiveness and Impacts of Dust Control Measures for Owens Lake (2020)
The panel's second task was to evaluate off-lake sources of airborne dust in Owens Valley, California. They were asked to summarize the nature and character of off-lake sources, recommend how to better characterize and track changes in their airborne dust contributions, and describe possible dust control measures. Additionally, if appropriate, the committee was also asked to discuss the applicability of U.S. EPA's Exceptional Events Policy for excluding air quality monitoring data.
OLSAP Final Report: Off-Lake Sources of Airborne Dust in Owens Valley, California (2025)