Other water-related action taken by Utah this year include: Cox and others stressed the need to do even more as Utah continues down this path of unprecedented drought. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? Then theres how to pay for it. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipaland industrial water use. Depending on where you live, there are different rebates that can be offered. 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. The nation's first statewide turf buy back program in which homeowners will be compensated for the turf they rip out and replace with water-wise landscaping. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. The city's famed golf courses have made changes with an eye toward water savings. She understands that homeowners who have invested a lot of time, money and sweat into having perfect landscaping may be dismayed. The state of Utah has begun signing people up ahead of its launch of a "turf buyback" program, offering incentives for residents to get rid of grass they don't really use. As water managers warn of worst on record drought, what do people think should be done to save water? While the winter overflow system in Salt Lake County has been expanded this winter, the availability of beds has been a consistent issue. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. While most efforts are focused on managing the here and now, state officials are looking to Utahs water future and how to manage skyrocketing growth by preserving a precious natural resource. 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. Free Localscapes Rewards programs classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the state. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. The way my yard looks is nowhere as important as it is for farmers to provide food for the state, Baker said. Let it go," the mayor said. "We've done it ourselves to save the water. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. I want to have a nice drink of water. 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. Theres not much more the state can do about the drought in the short term. Thats a good first start.. The Jimenezes' neighbors have admired the landscaping project and expressed an interest in doing it themselves. Cox said. In response to the drought, Oakley put a moratorium on any new development and Herriman pressed pause on its landscaping requirements on new development until Sept. 15. But the bill also requires the state to take steps to conserve water. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. . If lawn has been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit, you are not eligible for this program. 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 . Roughly $100 million of that. Cox emphasized, too, that land use planning needs to be integrated with water use planning, but more often than not, that coordination does not take place at the level it should. Rebate checks will be made payable to the property owner. and establishing a statewide turf buyback program. In information provided at the press conference, officials pointed to water savings in Layton, where residents and businesses have used 94.9 million fewer gallons of water this year compared to last year. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. Really to have the state government setting the example on water-wise use in our landscaping, said Rep. Robert Spendlove. No matter what Cox proposes, there wont be any impact in the near term. "It still has to be somewhat alive. ST. GEORGE, Utah Wilson and Kari Jimenez are thrilled with how their yard looks. Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. Last month, Utah Gov. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. Donate to the newsroom now. "It just cant be a dirt patch.". 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" program. 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. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. #utleg #utpol . Projects that replace lawn with artificial turf are not eligible. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. Today Full time Now, for the bad news. 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. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. 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. The programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. Taller plants block views, impede safety, and can interfere with city maintenance. 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. Eight streams are flowing at record low conditions, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. 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. 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. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Submit completion photos of your project online. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! The Washington County Water Conservancy District offers tips for how to convert to desert-friendly landscaping. 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. Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? During the 2022 legislative session, the Division of Water Resources received $5 million to implement a statewide grass replacement rebate program. H.B. It. 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. With 100% of the state experiencing drought conditions, Gov. Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . . Rebate information for Washington County residents is available on the Washington County Water Conservancy District site. It is unclear exactly how much water goes toward agricultural use as the Utah Divison of Water Resources says it mostly relies on estimates. 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. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation, growing 18.4% over the past decade compared to the national average of 7.4%. Qualifications: You must live in a qualifying city (see the list below). In addition to urging Utahns to continue to conserve water, Gov. ", Water conservation authority considers 'turf buyback' as St. George reviews wasteful ordinances. The passage of this legislation makes it the first ever statewide program of its kind. Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, who works on water issues for the Legislature called the idea intriguing, but he is worried about whether it can be implemented fairly. Raising Our Political IQ. Lawmakers are already planning on using $280 million of federal COVID-19 relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to improve Utahs water infrastructure. The goalis to plant grass in areas where it's actively used TownLift is a web and mobile-based Entertainment & News media outlet providing Park City and Summit County Utah with Breaking Local News & Community Updates. 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. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. 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. Enter your email to be notified when new rebates and programs are offered in your area. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. 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. This is generational.. Stay in the loop when you subscribe for free. HB121 prohibited certain lawn or turf requirements and imposed conservation requirements for state agencies. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. Whether if you are looking at the water conditions, we were facing last year. Theyve learned they can have that same look by using water-friendly landscaping," said Zachary Renstrom, the general manager of the water conservancy district. 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! "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. All Rights Reserved, Gov. "But in the long run? As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, how we grow and develop today will set our water use for decades to come. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. 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. has said it has enough water to get through this year, but plans are being made for drastic measures in the years to come. LDS Church wants to light up a temple in a place that prides itself on dark skies, For husband-and-wife team, this new restaurant is the culmination of a decadeslong dream. 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. Perennial plants must cover at least 50% of the converted park strip at maturity. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and []. Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. 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 will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. 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. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. Some ideas include metering secondary water systems, which the Legislature is already planning to do, improved technology for farmers and ranchers so they can use water more wisely, and mandating more water-wise landscaping for new developments. "When a lot of these. 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. This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. We have a couple of fires burning right now, but theyre 90% under control. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. Will Mitt Romney seek re-election in 2024? 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. Turf buyback programs like Jordan Valley's . 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. Lawn areas shall not be less than eight feet wide at its narrowest point. Heres the one word you cant say in a room full of Republicans, 106 wild horses have died in Colorado. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Expect more information in spring 2023. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Establish a statewide turf buyback program: Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of municipal and industrial water use. A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. Heres what to expect. Flip Your Strip involves removing lawn from your park strip and replacing it with water-efficient plants and a drip irrigation system. Information on the district-level programs and others can be found on the Utah Water Savers site. To install SLC Turf Trade, you will have to kill your existing lawn. The governor announced four focus areas the state will fast-track to further advance water conservation and water planning: Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. 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. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . So many Utahns are doing their part to save water, which is fantastic, but theres much more we can do.. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. 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. No, this program requires plants and drip irrigation to be installed. Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. 350 North State, Suite 320 PO Box 145115 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114; Telephone: (801) 538-1408 https://senate.utah.gov; Contact a Senator The program encourages waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where theyre actively used. "These programs are typically offered at the local level, we're not aware of any state that offers such a program. "Because its more work!". Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. Starting a turf buyback program According to the Governor's office, areas that have installed secondary meters include Spanish Fork, Saratoga Springs and Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, and they have seen a reduction in water use by about 20-30%. While some turf areas are important and provide a lot of benefit (e.g., parks and playgrounds), many turf areas are hardly used and could be replaced by beautiful drought-tolerant vegetation that requires little to no water at all. Gov. When connections arent metered, it is difficult to track and conserve secondary water. 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. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. Water-saving strategies are showing some success in unique ways. 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. Some towns are already out of water, such as Echo in Summit County which has been forced to truck in drinking water from Henefer. Turf buyback . This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. 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. Appropriated $5 million for a statewide turf buyback program. $16.00 hourly. It's something Kari said she encourages. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipal and industrial water use. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 "They loved how the project has come out. Asking people to conserve is not a bad idea in terms of our water usage, said Brian Steed, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. 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. 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. We have a lot of grass around here that were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it? 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. Existing state facilities will need to cut outdoor water use 5% by 2023 and 25% by 2026, under H.B. If you are renting or leasing, you must have the owner of the property apply for the rebate and be present at the pre-conversion visit. In Jordan Valleys program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. Shasta daisies are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. All Rights Reserved, How can people save water in drought? As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. State officials say don't start killing your lawn quite yet, though they encourage you to just do the bare minimum of recommended watering. People when they can start applying for rebates on the Utah Divison utah turf buyback program water Resources re-think! Noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to save water... Re-Think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it treated and non-potable with options!, or anywhere else in the loop when you subscribe for free what... 2022 legislative session, the availability of beds has been expanded this winter, the Utah Department of Natural is! You and narrowed down a few of our easy park strip and replacing it with water-efficient landscaping wont any. People to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options done to save the water conditions, Gov ; people... 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