Nevada Bans 'Non-functional' Grass in Fight Against Drought
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has signed legislation making Nevada the first state in the nation to enact a permanent ban on certain categories of grass, reports the AP.
The ban, which doesn’t take affect till 2027, makes illegal what the Southern Nevada Water Authority calls “non-functional turf”, in places such as office parks, in street medians and at entrances to housing developments. Excluded from the ban are single-family homes, parks and golf courses. In cities such as Las Vegas, the ban is expected to affect 31% of the grass, or about 6 square miles in the city’s metro areas. Water officials estimate it will conserve 10% of its total available Colorado River water supply.
“It’s incumbent upon us for the next generation to be more conscious of conservation and our natural resources — water being particularly important,” said Gov. Sisolak.
“Replacing non-functional turf from Southern Nevada will allow for more sustainable and efficient use of resources, build resiliency to climate change, and help ensure the community’s current and future water needs continue to be met,” said Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager John Entsminger. |