In Jordan Valley's program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. In those areas of Utah where meters have been installed to track use of secondary water, providers have found that consumption on a per-household basis has decreased by as much as 30%, and when compared against neighbors use, people become increasingly conscious about water savings. ), The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success. Everybody thinks about grass and gardens, but there are a lot of other uses too, he said. I understand why they may want to use water more, but I think the restrictions we have been given are still enough to keep our yards from completely drying out, she said. Wilson Jimenez said he doesn't miss mowing it. Mayor Randall said other policies being looked at include ordinances that required a certain percentage of landscaping be turf or prohibiting certain water-hogging trees in developments. This rule is in place to follow local city ordinances. Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. All new state facilities in Utah may be required to have less than 20% turf. 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. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . Cox discussed new policies his administration is hoping to push forward, like a buyback program for turf and secondary water metering. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? Sign up for a free consultation to see how you can make your yard more water-efficient and Utah-friendly. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. What about people who have already xeriscaped their lawns and wont get money from the state. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. Sixty percent of our municipal water goes toward outdoor watering. 6300 N Sagewood Dr, Ste H579 Park City, Utah 84098, Signs of Drought at the Great Salt Lake. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. Today Full time "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. "It still has to be somewhat alive. "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. I want to have a shower. Secondly, the owner has to be paid up and in good standing with their water provider. During the 2022 legislative session, the Division of Water Resources received $5 million to implement a statewide grass replacement rebate program. GET REBATES: Water conservation resources for Utah residents. $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In addition to programs like "turf buyback," the Legislature is working with our state's farmers and ranchers to better conserve and utilize water for agriculture. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. I have been really impressed driving around the city to see how many lawns are following the restrictions.. Doing so will save an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water each yearand homeowners can get cash for doing it. A bill that would eliminate signature gathering candidates from Utah's primary election ballots was pulled off the agenda before being heard by a Senate committee Tuesday morning. 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. I want to flush my toilet, so Im willing to do my part. Washington County Water Conservancy District. "It just cant be a dirt patch.". Before removing any turf, the following actions need to take place: i. State officials say don't start killing your lawn quite yet, though they encourage you to just do the bare minimum of recommended watering. 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. Lawn areas shall not exceed 50% of the total landscaped area for front and side yards.*. H.B. Submit completion photos of your project online. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. You save a lot of money in your water bills if you convert that lawn, so I dont know if we need to add more of a financial benefit on it, Sandall added. Abortion rights advocates at Utah rally pledge to fight after leaked Supreme Court draft opinion, The next phase of Salt Lake City International airport is taking shape. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. Ferry, R-Brigham City and a farmer himself, cobbled together a complicated compromise bill that allows farmers and other holders of water rights to lease those rights to the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands, which has oversight of the lake bed. By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. "Instead of having a lot of grass, maybe only have 10% of your lawn be grass? Also in the midst of planning are potential new water storage projects in Utah. Additional program rules will also require adoption of the following ordinance for a city to remain eligible for incentives: With the exception of Washington County, the statewide landscape rebate program will be facilitated through utahwatersavers.com. ", Water conservation authority considers 'turf buyback' as St. George reviews wasteful ordinances. Eight streams are flowing at record low conditions, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. 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. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. New developments in the area have prohibited turf lawns or kept them small. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation, growing 18.4% over the past decade compared to the national average of 7.4%. 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. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. Gov. The Weber County Sports Complex launched an initiative to do fewer cuts at its ice rink and in doing so, anticipates saving more than a million gallons over the year. The programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. The nations first statewide turf buy back program in which homeowners will be compensated for the turf they rip out and replace with water-wise landscaping. Gov. Establish a statewide turf buyback program: Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of municipal and industrial water use. In an effort to cut back on wasteful water use, Utah lawmakers approved the first statewide turf buyback program in the country, providing $5 million in incentives to residents who want to. BLM says its because of a killer cocktail of factors. Spencer Cox said Utahns are getting the message to conserve water amid the crippling drought gripping almost all of the state which is about the only weapon in Utahs arsenal right now. The this is the Utah Legislatures passage of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lakeand what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District created a site that tracks rebates that can be offered. Despite pleas from her children about running through the sprinklers to ease the summer heat, Baker said her response is a firm no.. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. 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. While the winter overflow system in Salt Lake County has been expanded this winter, the availability of beds has been a consistent issue. In Sandy, the community has saved more than 234 million gallons of water the equivalent of 359 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Utah Council on Financial and Economic Education raises awareness of savings resources, focuses on reducing barriers for Utahns to access critical financial services, Texas Instruments to build new chip factory in Lehi, bringing hundreds of jobs to the state, Gov. What is skijoring? Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program, With the dramatic decline of the Great Salt Lake, Depending on where you live, there are different rebates that can be offered. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory in late March, looking ahead to what was predicted to be an unprecedented drought year. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. We have a lot of grass around here that were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it? Cox also floated was a turf buyback program, in which the state would pay property owners to tear out grass and replace it with xeriscaping or more water-wise landscaping. Drip emitters and spray heads must be on separate zones. The Utah legislature recently passed three important water billsfocused on water conversation in the midst of a historic megadrought, includingthe first statewide turf buyback program in the country. Utah governor outlines four ways to conserve water in drought, Localscapes can help your lawn be water-wise, Bill package to eliminate food tax to be considered, Medicaid recipients must now re-qualify for coverage, What to watch for as the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Bidens student loan debt relief plan, Looking for a New Winter Activity? Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. "Because its more work!". 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. No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips. Last month, Utah Gov. This is a huge step forward, a huge lift, and one of the most important pieces of legislation we were able to accomplish this year.. Cox hails generational effort in Utahs water law history, What happened after a governor asked his state to pray for rain, Anatomy of a drought: How the West may change for decades to come, How bad is the Western drought? Gov. Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. The biggest hurdle will be selling lawmakers on the idea. The program encourages waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where theyre actively used. Cox said. Thats ambitious, but Cox may have his work cut out for him if he wants to implement it on a statewide level. Attend a park strip class. Humans have put the future of hippos at risk, Wests megadrought delivers another blow: Saving Glen Canyon Dam. The bills, which will be . Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation as Lt. Gov. Last year was pretty stressful, said Brian Steed with the Department of Natural Resources. 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! This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " program help incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . Then theres how to pay for it. Concrete areas do not qualify for a square foot rebate, but pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted. Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. I just heard a lot about the drought, grasshoppers in the middle of the country, how it is affecting farmers, and our yard honestly is not amazing. She and members of the city council have called for a review all of St. George's ordinances and policies with an eye toward water savings. Guest opinion: Even in a world of stubborn never-Trumpers, Evan McMullin is still wrong for Utah, These principles and institutions should be a measuring stick for lawmakers and voters, 2023 Legislative Priorities with Derek Miller, Bidens signature on marriage act is vindication of the Utah compromise. Click here to sign in and see program availability. One idea being considered to get Washington County residents to change their outdoor watering habits is paying people to kill their lawns. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially sign key water legislation at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County on Monday, April 18, 2022. If a homebuyer purchases a property that took advantage of the turf removal program, then plants a lawn where it was removed, they will be required to pay back any funds the previous homeowner. The program will follow Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy, and Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, which all offer similar programs in their territories. 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" program. Now, for the bad news. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. Utah wants to be the first and is working to expand this program statewide. With upward of 70% of municipal and industrial water used for outdoor landscaping, Cox said it is past time for the state and cities to aggressively embrace water-saving strategies. This bill appropriated $250 million in. The area within the public right of way between the curb and gutter and the sidewalk, otherwise known as the park strip, shall not be landscaped with lawn. The Washington County Water Conservancy District offers tips for how to convert to desert-friendly landscaping. Program funding is available statewide. Really to have the state government setting the example on water-wise use in our landscaping, said Rep. Robert Spendlove. 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. How Orrin Hatch protected people of faith. $19.20 - $22.80 hourly, 9 days ago Contractor Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? "They loved how the project has come out. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. House Bill 121(water conservation modifications) provides $5 million in incentives for people that want to voluntarily replace turf with drought-resistant landscaping and imposes water conservation requirements by state agencies at state government facilities. Last month, Ogden officials declared a moderate water shortage and providers of secondary water from Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown. "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. The state passed a bill trying to change that. Roughly $100 million of that. 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Theatre Works Lucy Loves Desi: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom, Pi Day Celebration at Mathnasium of Park City, Snowy winter speeds drought recovery but Utahs not in the clear, Median snowpack water equivalent surpasses 2022s highest peak, Above-average snowpack levels are starting to make an impact in Utahs severe drought areas, Western US cities to remove decorative grass amid drought, Over 50% of Utah still in extreme drought even with above-average early-season snowpacks, Utah DNR marks the end of the water year with a new drought update. You have 6 months after your application to complete your park strip project. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah State Legislature is considering bills to encourage people get rid of "non-functional turf" and block cities and HOAs from requiring lawns. House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, worked to establish the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program, which creates a $40 million water trust to help the dwindling lake. 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