We need to expand this over the next few years. Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. The agricultural sector accounts for about 75% of the states total water use. Some local water districts have already started offering money for "flip your strip" programs designed to get rid of wasted grass on parking strips. This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Utah wants to be the first and is working to expand this program statewide. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. 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. Central Utah Water Conservancy District announced the launch of two new water conservation incentive programs: its own Flip Your Strip & Localscapes Rewards. "Its wonderful to have a nice green lawn, but we're in an area where it's not necessarily native, and it just uses more water that we dont have," she said. To all those people who asked what are YOU going to do, this is the answer, Cox said. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. She's among those who are following the advice of Washington County's water conservancy district to cut lawn watering to only three times a week for southern Utah in the state's drought emergency (it's recommended only twice a week in northern Utah). In Jordan Valleys program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. Bubblers, micro-spray emitters and soaker hoses are not allowed. 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. Very low water levels at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County are pictured after Gov. Then theres how to pay for it. These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. No, we do not promote the removal of trees from landscapes; however, trees must be watered with the installed drip irrigation system following conversion. Whether if you are looking at the water conditions, we were facing last year. In Sandy, the community has saved more than 234 million gallons of water the equivalent of 359 Olympic-sized swimming pools. State Facility Water Conservation (HB121), Washington County Water Conservancy District site. Today Full time Were not aware of any state that offers such a program, and we want to be the first state to offer a turf buyback program, Cox said. It's something Kari said she encourages. Lambs ears and Coreopsis are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Photo: Paul Nelson), Teenager dies in two-vehicle crash near Moab, Bill mandating counties to provide homeless shelters, enforce camping laws passes Utah House, Economic committee hears from public on changing the Utah State Flag. (Remember, killing or removing your lawn before this visit will make your park strip ineligible for a rebate). The way my yard looks is nowhere as important as it is for farmers to provide food for the state, Baker said. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. During your consultation, you will receive watering suggestions, sprinkler system advice, and recommendations for your landscape. We have seen significant water reductions in every water district across the state, Cox said, lauding the efforts of the public and water managers. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. Click here to sign in and see program availability. The state passed a bill trying to change that. Existing state facilities will need to cut outdoor water use 5% by 2023 and 25% by 2026, under H.B. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. "Instead of having a lot of grass, maybe only have 10% of your lawn be grass? Deidre Henderson participated in a Monday ceremonial signing of the water bills, with Cox musing that he knew for sure the bills and money this year significantly outpaced anything that been done in water law and funding in at least more than a decade and probably in state history. Republican-led states and conservatives challenging the program say it amounts to an unlawful attempt to erase an estimated $430 billion of federal student loan debt under the guise of the pandemic. She understands that homeowners who have invested a lot of time, money and sweat into having perfect landscaping may be dismayed. Gov. 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. I want to have a nice drink of water. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. Bill Numbered but not Distributed. Lawn areas shall not exceed 50% of the total landscaped area for front and side yards.*. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Roughly $100 million of that is already going toward implementing water meters on secondary water systems statewide. And can he win? Removing lawn from your park strip will save an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water each yearand you can get cash for doing it. 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. 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. Spencer Cox announced the expansion of a statewide turf buyback program as one of four efforts to conserve water amid the megadrought. Attend a park strip class. 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. January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer, the tests that can warn women about potential cancer, and the importance of vaccination. Removing lawn from your park strip will save an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water each yearand you can get cash for doing it. By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. 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. Begin your application. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. Metering secondary water systems, working with farmers and ranchers, and starting a statewide turf buyback program are all steps Utah needs to take to be more waterwise. The following cities have adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for new residential developments. This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. Governor Deidre Henderson, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey, Central Utah Water conservation manager Rick Maloy and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District general manager Bart Forsyth. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . Groundcover plants can qualify as mulch if 100% plant density is achieved at maturity. 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. During the legislative session, there was significant action to help the Great Salt Lake, which reached its historic low last year and continues to shrink. The division has partnered with the Central Utah, Jordan Valley, Washington County and Weber Basin Water Conservancy Districts to increase program awareness, increase funding and develop program requirements. "We haven't gotten any rebates," Wilson said. Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. 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. Thats a good first start.. The St. George couple did not get any rebates or incentives to do it, but spent the past two years slowly replacing their lawn because they wanted to conserve water. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. If landscape fabric is used (not recommended), it must be permeable to water and air. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The measure, HB410, tasks the Utah Department of Natural Resources with undergoing a selection process for a conservation organization that will be in charge of the trust and award money for restoration in the Great Salt Lake watershed and the acquisition of water rights to benefit the lake. 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.. Unlike North Ogden, some municipal water providers do not have prohibitions regarding the use of indoor water on outdoor landscaping, but households and businesses just need to be prepared to pay much higher water bills. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. Landscape Consultations. To register visit. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. 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. HB121 prohibited certain lawn or turf requirements and imposed conservation requirements for state agencies. 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. Theyve learned they can have that same look by using water-friendly landscaping," said Zachary Renstrom, the general manager of the water conservancy district. Weve seen significant reductions in water usage across the state. To install SLC Turf Trade, you will have to kill your existing lawn. Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. Once your application has been approved, you have up to one year to complete your landscaping project. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. Legislative Research and General Counsel. Appropriated $5 million for a statewide turf buyback program. 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? Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. Rather than using grass as the default groundcover thats only walked on when its mowed, implementing a statewide rebate program will show that Utah is serious about conservation, Cox said. "Because its more work!". 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. Spencer Cox said Thursday. All Rights Reserved, Gov. 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. ST. GEORGE, Utah Mayor Michele Randall's backyard is turning brown and she's OK with it. Review the eligibility tab to ensure that your project qualifies for a rebate. Even if lawmakers find the cash to fund these programs, the earliest they will go into effect is next spring or early summer. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Call said this summer has jump-started fruitful discussions by residents on water conservation practices. Choose from the dishes weve highlighted to plan your meal or start brainstorming your own meal plan a couple of weeks before to make sure you have time to shop and prepare. $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time Some towns are already out of water, such as Echo in Summit County which has been forced to truck in drinking water from Henefer. Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 "When a lot of these. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. For North Ogden resident Chelsea Baker, her family is taking the restrictions in stride. "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. 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. "No, we dont," he chuckled. "It still has to be somewhat alive. Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. The law does require you to have "living grass." Spencer Cox and Lt. It is also being offered at Weber Basin Water Conservancy District because Layton City adopted via an ordinance the institution of the program. The bill establishes that participation is voluntary and not a governmental code or policy requirement. Click here to sign in and see program availability. Wilson Jimenez said he doesn't miss mowing it. Last year by mid-March, Cox had declared a state of emergency for Utah, and he said it is likely that some declaration will happen again as he huddles with water providers and agency leaders. Against the backdrop of the Conservation Garden at Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in West Jordan, Cox called for more action to reduce water consumption. 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. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? Now, for the bad news. Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. 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. Enter your email to be notified when new rebates and programs are offered in your area. "What were looking at is when you only walk on it once a week (to mow it), you really shouldnt have that grass.". Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. Residents in areas that have adopted qualifying landscape standards are eligible for state rebate funding. 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. A list of eligible cities, information for communities interested in adopting water-efficient landscape policy and information about rebate applications can be found below. The passage of this legislation makes it the first ever statewide program of its kind. House/ received bill from Legislative Research. No, this program requires plants and drip irrigation to be installed. The bills, which will be . What is skijoring? 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. Against the backdrop of a half-full Jordanelle Reservoir, Cox and Lt. Gov. Will Mitt Romney seek re-election in 2024? Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. Completed projects must be covered with 3-4 inches of gravel, bark, or compost mulch. Consider that 99% of Utah is in severe drought and 28 of Utahs largest 45 reservoirs are below 55% of available capacity. Heres the one word you cant say in a room full of Republicans, 106 wild horses have died in Colorado. Really to have the state government setting the example on water-wise use in our landscaping, said Rep. Robert Spendlove. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. 6300 N Sagewood Dr, Ste H579 Park City, Utah 84098, Signs of Drought at the Great Salt Lake. 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. Water Conservation Program staff will contact you to schedule a lawn verification site visit. The . 121. All Rights Reserved, How can people save water in drought? Realistically, they wont bear fruit, or water, until 2023. Spencer Cox and Lt. 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. Gov. You must apply for the program before starting your park strip project. 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. Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. Drip systems must include filter and pressure regulators visible for inspection: Drip emitters must be rated at 5 gallons per hour or less. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. Doing so will save an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water each yearand homeowners can get cash for doing it. and establishing a statewide turf buyback program. "Theres going to be people that are going to have some pain points on this," Mayor Randall said. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. 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