Image Up Advertising & Design

| THE COLONY NEWS | MAY 2023 | 15 May is generally the most colorful time in The Colony landscape — especially the roses! As I write this in early April (29 degrees last night), I am still hopeful for our usual May color. DROUGHT: The information may change by the time you read this newsletter, but on March 28 Anthony Reynoso, Landscape Superintendent, wrote: "Although the lifting of water reductions/restrictions has taken place in parts of California, the drought emergency declaration is still in effect. This declaration grants the state the power to expedite reduction/restrictions on wasteful water use, and the ban on watering nonfunctional turf at commercial sites (Colony green belts) will remain in place. The loosened reductions/restrictions significantly impacted the agencies that primarily rely on receiving imported water from the State Water Project (SWP). Fortunately, Rancho California Water District (serving half The Colony) receives imported water from the SWP and the Colorado River Aqueduct. RCWD and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (serving the other half of The Colony) are monitoring the situation closely, but must wait to see if the regional wholesaler (Metropolitan Water District), who they purchase imported water from, relaxes requirements before considering any action. In addition to waiting for MWD, RCWD will consider local supplies, which are utilized to recharge their groundwater aquifers, but which have not shown significant improvements despite the rainfall. Tier structure changes: RCWD may change the tiered rate structure, but not for a month or two. EVMWD does not plan to change the tier structure." What does this mean for e Colony? During the drought, both water districts imposed "penalties." The penalty-free allotment of water use was reduced. After that allotment, any additional water flow began to fall into more costly, penalty ranges (tiers). In a nutshell, if we used the normal amount of water, the cost would skyrocket. e Colony can only control water usage, not cost. Controlling usage is what we're doing, and have done in the past, by removing additional nonfunctional turf, which relies on wasteful overhead spray, and replacing it with mulch, drought tolerant plants, and drip irrigation. e water districts control water costs. They pass on their costs for buying water through the use of these tiers. They encourage reduced water usage through the offering of rebates to remove this nonfunctional turf. (Note: Nonfunctional turf refers to grassy areas not used by people to play on — in other words, our greenbelts.) We are currently applying for these rebates. The Colony will watch the tiered structure closely as this will impact the dollars spent for water usage. The rates can change quickly. At this time, we are not considering removing front yard turf. However, we are preparing to address this when drought returns. AREA WALKS: The LAC members have completed their area walks, and checked and rechecked their lists of what needs to be removed/replaced. The Landscape Department is compiling the information and submitting it to Environmental Concepts for pricing, and after Board approval, the plants will be purchased and planted. So, please be patient with that dead plant in your front yard or behind your house. It will be gone! WEEDS: Again, I am writing this the first part of April, and the weeds are rampant. Please be patient with weeds, too, as the landscape contractor is working to keep up with their removal. LANDSCAPE ADVISORY By Jan Foster, 951-698-0170

• Cover