The picturesque tufa towers on the shores of Mono Lake, formed over centuries by underwater springs and left high and dry as Los Angeles diverted water from nearby creeks, have long been a symbol of the saline lake. … But residents, local officials and environmentalists say the lake’s level should be much higher than it is today, and that the fully exposed tufa spires show L.A. remains far from meeting its obligation to restore the lake’s health. … Frustrated by what they view as L.A.’s lagging progress, environmental advocates are looking to the State Water Resources Control Board to set new rules further limiting diversions so the lake can rise toward the target level. … DWP officials say they welcome an opportunity to revisit Mono Lake’s issues, and have encouraged the state water board to schedule a hearing.

Other Mono Lake news:

• Mono Lake Committee: Mono Lake may be losing its California gulls
• Mono Lake Committee: DWP plans to maximize water export, and impacts to Mono Lake — again