I have no idea of what words Mr. Freeman actually used, and I don't trust any print media to get it exactly correct. But the message is clear either way - whether he claimed LADWP owns Owens Valley, or if he claimed LADWP owns the people of Owens Valley.
Here's a more complete version of the text from your source. With the entire sentence considered, it seems even more provocative than the quote I used, but that's just my opinion.
It was Dapper David who slithered into the Eastern Sierra with his cowboy hat, boots and big plans to develop solar power here where, as he put it, DWP owns the Owens Valley "lock, stock and barrel."
