<
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/28/us/st-george-utah-water-lake-powell-pipeline-climate/index.html>
"Ivins, Utah CNN — In a bright-red county in a state allergic to regulations,
there is a ban on growing grass outside new businesses. Only 8% of a home’s
landscaping can have a grass lawn in this booming corner of Utah, about a
hundred miles northeast of Las Vegas.
And if any developers want to add another country club to this golfing mecca,
“I don’t know where they would get the water from,” said Zach Renstrom, general
manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District. “And I’m telling
you, I know where every drop of water is.”
Like lots of spots in the West, the combination of more people and less water
makes for an uncertain future around St. George, Utah. While this winter’s
generous snowpack could buy precious time, the entire Colorado River system
remains in danger of crashing if water gets too low at Lakes Powell and Mead.
But that reality hasn’t stopped St. George from booming into the fastest
growing metro area in the US two years running, according to the US Census
Bureau, and Renstrom says that unless Utah builds a long-promised pipeline to
pump water 140 miles from Lake Powell, their growth will turn to pain."
Via Doug Senko.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
