Drought-fighting measure

By Winston Jones
Staff Writer

Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2007

In its latest drought fighting move, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners (BOC) plans to pass a resolution today calling for a 90-day moratorium on new rezoning requests.

The moratorium will apply to any new requests for rezoning land for development or more intensive use of existing structures.

“We need to take a look at anything we can do and take all the precautions we can take,” Commission Chairman Tom Worthan said Monday. “We’re also asking other governments to do the same thing.”

The action is expected to head the BOC agenda at today’s 10 a.m. regular meeting in Citizens Hall at the county courthouse.

“The moratorium will be considered for renewal or cancellation, based on weather conditions, declarations from the governor or president, and other applicable conditions until such time the drought abates,” said Worthan. “If the weather changes, we can change.”

The BOC resolution also calls for “all citizens and businesses” to use water saving measures such as low-flow plumbing fixtures and serving water in restaurants only on request.

In addition, the resolution instructs the county administrator to “research and identify means to reduce water consumption in county offices, buildings and facilities, and give the commission chairman authority to order and implement all measures on county property necessary to conserve water.”