I've hiked extensively in that area of the Sierra and Inyos, and what has always struck me is the number of valleys and areas quite out of sight of US395 and public view. Aside from being a few miles away from major transmission lines, they seem like ideal sites for such projects. This isn't just my opinion, but also those of my hiking companions, often retired scientists & engineers from China Lakes NWS.
You might ask the following question: who owns those valleys that you mention?
The land that LADWP is proposing to build upon is land it already owns.
I'm curious how happy the Owens Valley residents would be if LADWP proposed a massive land acquisition? My guess would be a massive reaction of inappropriateness.
"Don't they have enough???" would be the likely rallying cry......
