Eyder Peralta (@eyderp) provides an excellent summary of the latest development in California’s drought story for NPR’s The Two-Way.

Saying that state officials and residents haven’t done enough to curb water use, California’s Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved “unprecedented water restrictions” on Tuesday. The regulating body agreed to rules that will force cities to limit watering on public property and impose mandatory water-savings targets for hundreds of local agencies and cities that supply water to Californians. Homeowners are being encouraged to let their lawns die.

Governor Jerry Brown had sought tighter regulations because voluntary conservation measures have not achieved the desired water savings.

The piece includes reporting from a variety of sources, including the AP, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

From the Los Angeles Times, with reporting by Matt Stevens, Chris Megerian and Monte Morin:

 

“Despite the meager savings, some outside experts said it was still possible for the state to achieve the governor’s goal in the coming months. Brown is seeking hefty fines for water wasters, and some local water agencies have been crafting tougher conservation plans in recent weeks.

“‘Now we have absolute numbers. We know where we stand and where we have to go. This is the starting gun,’ said Conner Everts, facilitator of the Environmental Water Caucus, an organization that promotes sustainable water management. ‘Right now we’re scared. Right now we’re in the denial stage. We have to get into acceptance, and we have a relatively short period of time to do it.'”

 Related Links:

Photographic essay documents the impact of drought in California’s Central Valley

Even amid drought worries, Californians favor voluntary measures

Q&A: UC’s Doug Parker on California’s drought