Thomas W. Crowe Receives Support from Cambridge Who's Who
Thomas W. Crowe loses permit to operate Boat Tours in the Eastern Sierra's Mono Lake


LEE VINING, CA, June 17, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Thomas W. Crowe, owner and former operator of Mono Lake Boat Tours, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in travel and tourism.

Nestled in California's spectacular Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake is a natural landmark that dates back millions of years. It has served as a vital habitat for thousands of migratory and nesting birds, its surrounding watershed encompassing a unique region comprised of sagebrush, Jeffrey pines, volcanoes, tufa towers, gulls, brine shrimp and freshwater streams. In 2002, avid bird enthusiast and certified boat operator Thomas W. Crowe came up with the resourceful idea of starting a boat tour company on Mono Lake. This would provide a low-impact and educational excursion designed to give the public access to the rich history and ecology of Mono Lake. Furthermore, it would operate out of Tioga Lodge, a historic site built in the late 1800s. Mr. Crowe acquired the necessary local permits and began to implement his dream of introducing people to a site that had been roped off for nearly 50 years.

Not long after initiating operations of the newly established Mono Lake Boat Tours, Mr. Crowe was confronted by state officials for "crossing reelected land," "operating on state waters," and "soliciting on state property." In court, he paid a fine and was granted a three-year permit. According to Crowe, all other business kayak tours on the lake were given free reign to continue. "The next season I was off and running," he shared. "I followed the permit to the letter and people were ecstatic about having access to Mono Lake. Soon the research community found out and I assisted in scientific research studies of the lake. I donated trips to the Lee Vining elementary school, disabled sports kids from Mammoth and the County Sheriff Search and Rescue team."

Crowe's success with Mono Lake Boat Tours was short-lived, however, and his efforts to renew his permit in 2005 were thwarted. During his interview with Cambridge Publishing, he noted that State Parks encouraged him to continue operating under the original permit until the summer of 2008, when he was presented with a 68-page Concessionaires Contract and given 30 days to sign it or forfeit his business. After reaching an agreement with California State Parks, he believes that the organization added a policy that would allow it to use his business to extort easement across private property and dock their own boats.

He said: "[California State Parks] added the requirement [to our agreement] that Tioga Lodge give them right of way across private property. This access would be hard to revoke in the future. The reason they gave was that if they couldn't access my boat dock by their vehicles, my tour would be 'a public safety hazard'. The real reason was that they wanted to use my dock to launch their own boats. My contract with them would be for two years. At the end of this, they had the option to put my business up for bid. If that happened, Tioga Lodge would have to give access to [another third party]."

He continued, "State Parks said that I was responsible for [obtaining access for them] and would not meet with the owner of Tioga Lodge. Since the property did not belong to me, I was powerless to give them access. This is the reason why State Parks would not give me a permit. I have contacted them many times and their excuse was that my tour boat was too 'high maintenance' and that their funding was cut $13 million and they didn't have the personnel to draft a contract. In the same breath, they said that they were going to put a boat tour up for bid for anyone else interested. Tioga Lodge is the only viable boat launch on Mono Lake."

As a result of suspected foul play driven by political motives, Mono Lake Boat Tours has been shut down. Meanwhile, California continues to suffer from a state deficit nearing $30 billion and would stand to benefit from local eco-tourism. Since 2005, Crowe has repeatedly requested meetings with State Parks, Tioga Lodge and the public to no avail. Today, he continues to fight for the revival of Mono Lake Boat Tours as he searches for legal aid and help from the media. He also urges the public to write to their local newspapers and government officials. "How can California State, which is going bankrupt, destroy a successful business that both produces revenue and stimulates the tourist economy in a small town? How can California cut off access to a public waterway that is second only in size to Lake Tahoe and has been a significant part of California's history?" These are questions that Crowe believes need to be addressed—and he is prepared to take his story to the press.

Crowe is an experienced research and wildlife technician (formerly for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game) who holds an associate of science in biology from the College of the Sequoias. An avid bird watcher, Mr. Crowe previously conducted research projects in Alaska. During his time with the ADF&G, he was lauded for his contributions following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. For more information about Thomas Crowe and his struggle to keep Mono Lake Boat Tours in operation, please visit http://www.monolakeboattours.com. You may also email him at tomcrowe3@gmail.com or call him at (760) 937-1934.

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Ellen Campbell
Cambridge Who's Who
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