LA Mayor To Preserve 320,000 Acres As Scenic Wilderness

Despite locals' doubts, Mayor Hahn has given a go-ahead to a development ban for the former California Water War battleground.

1 minute read

July 8, 2004, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jeffrey Goodman


Remote Owens Valley, located over 200 miles from Los Angeles, could become California's newest wilderness if Mayor James Hahn has his way. This would not be the first time the valley would be defined by the distant city; in 1920, Los Angeles illegally bought the valley in order to build an aqueduct. The resulting Owens Valley War, which led to a massive wave of violence, still rankles locals who see this latest news as another example of outside interference.

Thanks to Jeffrey Goodman

Wednesday, July 7, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

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