Clerk of the House. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. This gave us an opportunity to think outside the box, so that is what we did., Residents can learn more about rebates and water wise landscaping at UtahWaterSavers.com, Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. You still have a place where neighbors can congregate and stand and have that feel, but the entire front lawn isnt grass," Renstrom said. While noting that turf buyback programs like Jordan Valleys Flip Your Strip are local-centric, Cox said he wants Utah to be the first state in the nation to implement its own. $19.20 - $22.80 hourly, 9 days ago Contractor Try Skijoring in Bear Lake, Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk, Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest, 5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes! One idea being considered to get Washington County residents to change their outdoor watering habits is paying people to kill their lawns. In addition to urging Utahns to continue to conserve water, Gov. These types of programs are typically offered at the local level. City Manager Jon Call said normally the use of any culinary water outside is strictly prohibited, but a shortened irrigation season is requiring flexibility to be built into the system. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. We have encouraged all of our departments within Weber County to investigate ways to conserve water, he said, adding the ice rink is one of the countys larger consumers. Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . Lambs ears and Coreopsis are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. 1/18/2022. In Jordan Valley's program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. Through state and district partnerships, eligible participants may receive up to $3 per square foot of lawn replaced with waterwise landscaping. Residents in areas that have adopted qualifying landscape standards are eligible for state rebate funding. Secondly, the owner has to be paid up and in good standing with their water provider. "They have actually expressed even wanting to get rid of their grass so I think its been a positive thing.". As water managers warn of worst on record drought, what do people think should be done to save water? All Rights Reserved, How can people save water in drought? We have to work with the resources on the ground, he said, but noted the paradox of having drought drive home the need for more water storage with the reality of less water available for storage. And can he win? The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters "We still have a little bit of grass here, but we plan to eliminate the rest of that and continue with the desert landscape," Kari Jimenez said, showing FOX 13 News her new landscaping. You read that right, Why theres not much room for optimism with Utah water supplies, Saving the otherworldly place of Utahs declining inland sea, The Deseret News is on a journey to help the Great Salt Lake. Max Peck of West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utah's municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. Over 100 patients with brain tumors attended the same high school. "Were lush. Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA. Lawn areas shall not exceed 50% of the total landscaped area for front and side yards.*. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. Even though its water is filtered and recycled, the city said it is shutting down its splash pad on Aug. 2 due to some water loss. Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. After the press event, Cox told the Deseret News that the drought has not taken controversial water development projects like the Lake Powell Pipeline and Bear River Development plan off the table. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints new temple location, Opinion: How to handle the final game of your childs basketball career, No deal on bill to eliminate signature gathering, bill yanked from committee, Proposal would give first-time Utah homebuyers $20,000, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes, All-Star Weekend sting operation leads to child exploitation arrests. No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips. Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. . The idea is very preliminary, but it would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new landscaping. "These programs are typically offered at the local level, we're not aware of any state that offers such a program. Legislative Research and General Counsel. Cox announces Utah Home, a new plan of priorities for Utah, Utah leads nation streamlining occupational licensing reform, Understanding Utahs child abuse reporting law, Guest opinion: Why do Americans support Ukraine? No, this program requires plants and drip irrigation to be installed. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. Deidre Henderson, Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District General Manager Bart Forsyth, Central Utah Water Conservancy District Water Conservation Manager Ricky Maloy and others attended the announcement at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Districts Conservation Garden in West Jordan. "They loved how the project has come out. No matter what Cox proposes, there wont be any impact in the near term. Spencer Cox announced the expansion of a statewide turf buyback program as one of four efforts to conserve water amid the megadrought. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? S.B. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. . Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Is there a connection? HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide rebate program. The legislature allocated $5 million in incentives across the state. Cox said his administration is committed to pushing for more aggressive conservation measures, but they are long-range considerations and would require the legislature to get on board. Request a pre-conversion site visit. All Rights Reserved, Gov. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? An effort to require all new secondary water connections be metered was brought up legislatively a few years ago, but the bill was modified and not nearly as aggressive as its sponsor wanted it to be. Today Full time The law does require you to have "living grass." You must apply for the program before starting your park strip project. The program encourages waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where theyre actively used. Most water providers have moved to a twice-a-week-only irrigation regimen and some are shutting down the season early, such as Davis and Weber Counties Canal Co., which will cease providing water in September. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. This year, Utah's legislature passed bills that mandated water metering for landscaping, created a statewide turf buyback program, and set limits on turf at new state-owned buildings. The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. The goalis to plant grass in areas where it's actively used The Washington County Water Conservancy District told FOX 13 it is considering a "turf buyback" program to incentivize people to move toward drought-friendly landscaping. But the bill also requires the state to take steps to conserve water. House/ received bill from Legislative Research. "Because its more work!". A list of eligible cities, information for communities interested in adopting water-efficient landscape policy and information about rebate applications can be found below. Donate to the newsroom now. "Instead of having a lot of grass, maybe only have 10% of your lawn be grass? The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District created a site that tracks rebates that can be offered. I have been really impressed driving around the city to see how many lawns are following the restrictions.. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. The rebate is $1.25 per square foot of turf removed and replaced with water-wise landscaping. This bill is one I would consider generationally one of the most important pieces of legislation that you will see, he said. About 70% of Utahs municipal water use is outside the home, mostly for thirsty turfgrass. Cities can opt in for their residents, who can be compensated $1 per square foot of lawn strip removal or $1.25 if they take a class. Dozens of creative bills been introduced, including ones to increase turf buyback incentives and to appropriate money to require treated water systemslike for plumbing and drinking in rural areas to implement water metering.. House Majority Leader Mike Schultz (R) introduced a bill Feb. 16 that would appoint a Great Salt Lake commissioner to coordinate state efforts and create a . However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to. With Utah being the second driest state in the nation and in the grip of a protracted drought, Cox said all new development should be accompanied by waterwise landscaping and cites should shelve ordinances that require curbside turf or other mandates. This year the event will be held from January 27-29 at the Utah Bear Lake State Park Marina and Sunrise Resort and Event Center in Garden City, Utah. I want to have a shower. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. Gov. Utah's water agencies are in the process of developing a comprehensive state water plan that builds on the previous version developed by the Division of Water Resources. 350 North State, Suite 320 PO Box 145115 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114; Telephone: (801) 538-1408 https://senate.utah.gov; Contact a Senator People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. To all those people who asked what are YOU going to do, this is the answer, Cox said. Water-saving strategies are showing some success in unique ways. While noting that turf buyback programs like Jordan Valley's Flip Your Strip are local-centric, Cox said he wants Utah to be the first state in the nation to implement its own. Cox also said there are fewer wildfires burning in Utah in recent weeks, despite the increased danger from dry conditions. We moved here a year ago to the city, so we decided Lets not worry about it., She puts water on her trees and pumpkins, but that is about it. Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. Some towns are already out of water, such as Echo in Summit County which has been forced to truck in drinking water from Henefer. By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. BLM says its because of a killer cocktail of factors. Free Localscapes Rewards programs classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the state. But theres still a lot we need to do," she said. Existing state facilities will need to cut outdoor water use 5% by 2023 and 25% by 2026, under H.B. New developments in the area have prohibited turf lawns or kept them small. To conserve, we need to plant grass in areas where its actively used, not treat grass as the default ground cover. Concrete areas do not qualify for a square foot rebate, but pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted. The Jimenezes' neighbors have admired the landscaping project and expressed an interest in doing it themselves. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. Spencer J. Cox joined water officials from around the state to highlight current conservation efforts and outline measures needed to plan for Utahs water future. Cox may have a tough time getting them to dip into ARPA funds for the program, as lawmakers have already said they want that money to be used for generational programs. The . Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. "Grass is not the enemy. The city said new landscaping, especially lawns, require a lot of water to germinate, and it would be best to wait to plant it in a cooler time of the year. Dormant is still alive," Hasenyager said. Those against a new Utah state flag spoke of maintaining history, while supporters said it was time to give a fresh look to the state. This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. has said it has enough water to get through this year, but plans are being made for drastic measures in the years to come. "The turf buyback will offer residents the opportunity to apply for a rebate to remove our thirsty grass with water-wise landscaping," said Candice Hasenyager, the director of Utah's Division of Water Resources. Bubblers, micro-spray emitters and soaker hoses are not allowed. ", Water conservation authority considers 'turf buyback' as St. George reviews wasteful ordinances. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. "Theres going to be people that are going to have some pain points on this," Mayor Randall said. (Remember, killing or removing your lawn before this visit will make your park strip ineligible for a rebate). This bill appropriated $250 million in. Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. Gov. GET REBATES: Water conservation resources for Utah residents. Thats a good first start.. What is skijoring? Raising Our Political IQ. Last month, Utah Gov. Stay in the loop when you subscribe for free. Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. Utah has reduced its per capita water use by 25% since 2000, and the state is committed to implementing additional, more aggressive water conservation programs. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially sign key water legislation at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County on Monday, April 18, 2022. Communities outside of a partner water districts service area, including unincorporated areas, should work with the division. Drip emitters and spray heads must be on separate zones. The this, he added, is the unprecedented funding effort of nearly $450 million for water-related infrastructure, and lastly the this is the extensive amount of collaboration to lift a desire for change into actual action. H.B. Deidre Henderson, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey and Central Utah Water Conservation District manager Rick Maloy participate in a press conference at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in West Jordan on Thursday. 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Pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted should parents follow singer Pinks advice kids. Figures from the Flip your Strip program is up 160 % this year of cities... Checks will be substantial bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip your Strip program is intended for single-family only. Full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023, July 29,.! Also requires the state to take steps to conserve water kids and social Media water will! This is the answer, Cox said but the bill also requires the state a landscaping... This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear LAKE Convention & Visitors Bureau of municipal... Said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan `` living grass. conservation!
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