Letter: Lush lawns are rightfully a thing of the past

Saturday, March 18, 2006 | 7:11 a.m.

I share Tom Gorman's nostalgic look at lawns in his March 3 column. However, as a journalist, I feel he should have reached a more responsible conclusion.

Mr. Gorman means well but completely ignores the water crisis in the valley. He states that "his group" waters responsibly. It is impossible to water sod responsibly in a thirsty desert. Grass simply requires more water than we can spare. Half the water in Lake Mead is now gone - with little hope of immediate recovery.

I would have preferred a realistic report on why local and state government has not reconciled essentially uncontrolled growth with a sound water plan for the Las Vegas Valley. I'm afraid we will now turn central Nevada into Los Angeles' version of Mono Lake, robbing it of precious resources.

The reason the lawn mower shop is struggling is because the dynamics have changed. It is ludicrous to suggest that there is less grass in the valley now than in 1988. Even with sod removal it's not even close with the unprecedented growth we have experienced.

I believe the residents of Las Vegas are being duped with regard to the severity of the water crisis. I predict rationing within one year. We would all like to have a nice luxuriant lawn. But times have changed. You can take your grass out now and get paid for it or let it die when we begin rationing.

Our daydreaming days are over. Time to act responsibly!

Gary Fox, Las Vegas