Jun 5, 2008 3:41 am US/Pacific
Statewide Drought Declared, LA Approves Water Plan
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS) ―
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The governor issued an executive order Wednesday that directs the state Department of Water Resources to speed water transfers to areas with the most severe shortages.
CBS
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a statewide drought after two years of below-average rainfall, low snowmelt runoff and the largest court-ordered restrictions on water transfers in state history.
The declaration was made just hours before the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners approved a water conservation plan that would limit usage and incease penalties against water-wasters.
The governor issued an executive order Wednesday that directs the state Department of Water Resources to speed water transfers to areas with the most severe shortages.
Schwarzenegger has ordered state officials to help local water districts with water conservation efforts and directed them to help farmers suffering losses from the drought.
Dry conditions are damaging crops, harming water quality and causing extreme fire danger across the state. Many communities already are requiring water conservation or rationing.
In Los Anteles, the proposed plan was unanimously approved late Wednesday afternoon, but it is subject to approval by the City Council.
The proposal would restrict residents from watering their lawns between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and only then at 15-minute intervals. Angelenos would also be banned from washing down paved surfaces and washing their cars with hoses that do not have a self-closing shut-off device.
Restaurants would not be allowed to serve water unless its specifically requested. Hotels and motels will also have to give guests the option of reusing towels and linens.
Customers who do not comply with the regulations will receive a warning on the first offense, then $100 and $200 fines for the second and third offenses, respectively.
Companies that water outside of the allowed time frames will be fined $200 and $400, respectively, for second and third offenses.
"The intent behind all of this is not to raise any money at all. The intent behind it is to change people's behavior," said DWP General Manager David Nahai.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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