Sunday, July 20, 2014

Despite drought, California couple in troube for not watering lawn

Some people extol local government. It's not always so great.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/despite-drought-california-couple-in-troube-for-not-watering-lawn/

ByDANIELLE NOTTINGHAM July 20, 2014

GLENDORA, Calif. - More than 80 percent of the state of California is in a drought labeled as "extreme" by the U.S. Drought Monitor map.

Residents have been asked to cut back on their water usage. But not everyone is getting the message.

"I lived here for almost 30 years and I've never seen it this bad and it's getting worse and worse and I think everyone should be doing something about it," said Michael Korte.

Michael and Laura Korte felt they were answering Gov. Jerry Brown's urgent call to turn off the tap.

"Everyone should try to save at least 20 percent of their water use. All the people of California," Brown has said.

So now, the grounds outside the state Capitol building are turning brown. So is the Kortes' lawn.

On Tuesday, the same day California officials authorized fines of up to $500 for over-watering, the Kortes got a letter from the city of Glendora.

"It said you have 60 days to get your lawn looking like this or else," said Laura.

"And the penalty was fines of $100 to $500 and criminal prosecution, whatever that means," said Michael.

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The city appears to have watered down its threat. City officials referred CBS News to their website, where a similar-looking notice appeared, making no mention of a fine but asking instead for voluntary compliance.

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