Georgia Breach

Georgia governor eases water-use restrictions

Posted at 4:21 PM on 08 Feb 2008

Despite an ongoing drought, and despite a recent court ruling that removes Atlanta's right to much of a heavily relied-upon water source, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is lifting a near-total ban on garden watering and swimming-pool filling in the state. "Swim, kids, swim," said Perdue, who didn't announce a start date for the eased restrictions. City and county governments, which are mandated by the state to reduce water use by 10 percent, can still choose to enforce stricter regulations. "We're saying we're serious about conservation. On the other hand, we're saying we're going to let this [sector] use more water over the summer," says a confused commissioner in Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management. "I'm concerned about mixed messages here." Perdue disagrees. "I think Georgians have done their part," he says, adding, "I'm trusting people to do the right thing." Brave man.

sources: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Comments: (7 comments)

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Hand-water only...

The article states:
If local governments agree, pool-filling will be allowed and home and business owners will be able to hand-water landscaping and flower gardens for 25 minutes a day, between midnight and 10 a.m., on a three-day-a-week schedule. Watering with sprinklers would still be banned, except for watering newly installed landscapes.

Well, at least its hand-watering, and only durin' night and morning. Sounds reasonable, given their recent rains.

If the drought continues, the restrictions will probably be put back in place.

by Tasermons Partner at 6:02 PM on 08 Feb 2008

Get Rid Of Lawns

Watering lawns is a major waste of water and should be prohibited. If you grow native plants they generally don't need water, because they evolved to grow in your climate by living off rainwater. Of course they'll need some during a drought, which raises this issue: what's more important, having enough water to drink and for wildlife and ecosystems, or watering lawns and aesthetic gardens?

And I didn't even mention swimming pools, which are not only a huge waste of water but contribute to chemical pollution (chlorine, etc.). Humans better get their heads out of their butts and get a grip on reality. These lifestyles are so ridiculously destructive they would be laughable if they weren't destroying things.

by Wolverine at 7:53 PM on 08 Feb 2008

Incidentally

Georgia legistlations just posted a bill where they intend to redraw the Georgia state line, to take over a river in Tennessee.

by GreyFlcn at 1:01 PM on 10 Feb 2008

Alternative Energy

The most intelligent thing i've heard in years, while i was sipping my Starbucks coffee, was found right there outside the cup:

The Way I See it #289

'So-called "global warming" is just a secret ploy by wacko tree-huggers to make America energy independent, clean our air and water, improve the fuel efficiency of our vehicles, kick-start 21st century industries, and make our cities safer and more livable. Don't let them get away with it!'
-- Chip Giller, founder of Grist.org

Congrats to getting on the cup!

Now let's all not just talk about green energy, let's buy some solar stocks!!!

http://beanieville.blogspot.com

http://beanieville.blogspot.com

by beanieville at 2:58 PM on 10 Feb 2008

Another IPCC "Scenario" Down the Drain

Yeah, if only those kids were standing around with parched tongues that are covered in brown dust all summer long...then the IPCC "predictions" would have some credibility.

But a bunch of people happily watering their lawns and diving into the pewwlll does not an apocalypse make...

by jabailo at 11:51 PM on 10 Feb 2008

LAS

I was introduced to the grassroots movement "LAS" while still in college and am the proud chairmen of the NC chapter. (all tongue in cheek here).

"Lawns Are Stupid" has been a low-key but active program for ten years or more! Join today! Just say "no" to endless square yards of miserably useless turfgrass hybrids that serve no purpose! Plant flowers, bushes, vegetables! You bought the land, why not make it interesting to look at and invite some wilder neighbors in to brighten up your day?

Let the lawns die. Mr. Governor. This is not Great Britain and we are not the nobility. It was a silly idea to begin with and it's even more ridiculous today!

If you continue to do what you've always done you'll continue to get what you've always got. - Yogi Berra

by Matt at 6:09 AM on 11 Feb 2008

A Comedian .... Right?

Quote:

"I'm trusting people to do the right thing."

Ha ..... Ha .......

Was the guy laughing when he said that ????

"We Have Found the Enemy and It Is Us" ... Pogo

by rrecroc at 5:32 PM on 11 Feb 2008

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