San Jose Mercury News - Newport Beach homeowners association battling artificial lawns: "NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—There's a turf war in Newport Beach.

Artificial lawns are in the cross hairs of the Newport Hills Community Association, which is threatening steep fines and court action if residents don't rip out the pseudo grass.

Connie Hollstein and two other homeowners paid $10,000 each for fake grass, which is becoming an increasingly popular method for saving water and avoiding the upkeep of maintaining natural sod.

Water officials say synthetic turf can save a homeowner more than 20,000 gallons of water each year.

Resident Al Presnell got an association letter saying the synthetic turf 'detracts from the beauty and attractiveness of the surrounding area.'"