To save California’s celebrated yet very parched Mono Lake, the city of Los Angeles needs to stop taking water from the basin, or at least sharply curtail its draws. That’s the takeaway from a new, state-commissioned report on how to revive the depleted saltwater body, widely known for its extraordinary tufa towers and curious alkali shores. But that’s not the only takeaway. Even if Los Angeles is to halt pumping from the remote eastern Sierra watershed — and the city has no intention of doing so — the report says Mono Lake will still struggle to rise to healthy heights, due to the drying effects of climate change.

Other Mono Lake news:

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power: News release: LADWP statement on Mono Lake study presentation at California State Water Board meeting