A well-intended state law mandating the removal of Southern Nevada’s “useless grass” to conserve water has massively backfired, according to a new lawsuit. Filed Monday in Clark County District Court, the complaint alleges that an estimated 100,000 mature trees throughout the Las Vegas Valley have been a casualty of Assembly Bill 356, a 2021 law that will make it illegal to irrigate certain grass with water from the Colorado River starting in 2027. … State legislators passed the law in an effort to push water conservation forward as Lake Mead and the Colorado River — Southern Nevada’s main water source — face historic drought amid interstate negotiations forcing seven states to reconcile with how cities, tribes and farms can live with less.

Other Colorado River Basin news:

• The Independent (U.K.): A law to remove Nevada’s ‘useless grass’ has killed 100,000 trees and caused $300 million worth of damage, lawsuit claims
• The Denver Post (Colo.): Feds pursue own Colorado River management plans with states at impasse
• FOX10 (Phoenix): Deadline looms for Colorado River water agreement
• Western FarmPress: Feds craft their own plan to save Colorado River
• Invisible Waters: Blog: Who cuts in the Colorado River Basin
• The Land Desk: Blog: Feds release Colorado River plan for a warming climate