That is a growing problem with America. So many people are official government employees now and so many others are, in effect, government employees (in that they receive their welfare, stipend or whatever payment has been finagled through the bureaucracy), that capitalism and the law of supply and demand are constantly under attack by those elected to spend your money.

The apparent theory is, since water is a scarce commodity it needs to be regulated by bureaucrats. And now, the only somewhat ?EUR??,,????'??real?EUR??,,????'?? association operating ?EUR??,,????'??for?EUR??,,????'??? the ?EUR??,,????'??Water Feature?EUR??,,????'?? industry is either working for the EPA in the sham/scam or appears to have fallen into the bureaucratic trap themselves.

Instead of flat-out opposing the proposed ban the IPPCA is trying to offer up its own wording, basing water feature construction on 3 or 4 criteria that will surely turn into dozens of regulatory pages. This effort is either purposely playing into the hands of the EPA, a calculated attempt by IPPCA to secure its own regulatory position or simply and ignorantly misguided.

The real solution . . . The only true American solution is to let the law of supply and demand, yea Capitalism, effortlessly deal with the issue. As water becomes scarce, industry will develop new ways to generate useable water and/or the price will increase. Sure, if water for drinking becomes critically low, government has the obligation to provide some form of short term relief.

But as soon as an EPA regulation kicks in, industry will step out and thus new supply technology will suffer. If water becomes too expensive or rare to waste, it won?EUR??,,????'???t be wasted. Instead, industry will step in and find profit in new supply technology. It is truly that simple.

At the Bellagio in Vegas the big fountains are supplied with the treated waste-water from the casino. Grey water is being used for landscape and agriculture. Still, how many saltwater conversion plants are operating the USA?

Not many . . .

Why not let industry find ways to supply water features, landscapes, industry and agriculture with manufactured water?

This problem is just another downgrading of the American industrial machine. Government restricts things like nuclear power, domestic drilling, and building refineries and we find ourselves in a power crisis that will take years to remedy. Same with water.

Government spends it efforts restricting use instead of encouraging development of resources. Where are the pipelines? How come every drop of treatable sewage isn?EUR??,,????'???t treated and released as grey water? Why aren?EUR??,,????'???t there more economical ways to turn the vast oceans into drinkable water?

Let me just say . . Don?EUR??,,????'???t blame industry. A nuclear aircraft carrier can operate for years without refueling or importing fresh water for its 5,000 shipmates. Hmmm, let me see . . . Unlimited power and water . . . Wow . . . We don?EUR??,,????'???t want that

Whatever happens, if this association wants to really impact the industry it will fight to force the EPA to accept and promote water development and sharing instead of trying to police the fountains of America . . .

Whew . . . I was only going to spend a few lines on that subject, but I guess I get a little heated when the bureaucrats start stepping on the toes of my friends . . . I wonder if it will be OK to use a little water to cool me off . . .

On another note, I wanted to report that I had a great conversation with Bob Dolibois of the ANLA regarding their efforts to secure more temporary labor sources for the landscape trades. You may remember a few months ago I jumped on some of the ANLA folks for lamenting the paperwork to hire migrant workers. Well, after our conversation, I have a better understanding of the need many nurseries and climate driven landscape companies have to secure reliable help in the short seasonal months of heavy operation.

Next month I will fill you in a bit more, but while I know the ANLA is working their tails off to assist their members in this arena, I still would like to see a greater effort put forth by the ANLA and PLANET to promote the business of landscape as a career. I absolutely believe that the same law of supply and demand mentioned above can have a positive affect on the labor issues facing landscape industry as well . . . More next issue . . .

?EUR??,,????'??+God Bless