Bubblers, micro-spray emitters and soaker hoses are not allowed. 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. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. Trees will not be considered in density calculations. Max Peck of West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. All Rights Reserved, Gov. 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. Now, for the bad news. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Against the backdrop of a half-full Jordanelle Reservoir, Cox and Lt. Gov. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. 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. All Rights Reserved, How can people save water in drought? But the bill also requires the state to take steps to conserve water. We want our kids to play on it and our dogs," Hasenyager said. When connections arent metered, it is difficult to track and conserve secondary water. Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. 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. Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 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. Appropriated $5 million for a statewide turf buyback program. Enter your email to be notified when new rebates and programs are offered in your area. 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. If landscape fabric is used (not recommended), it must be permeable to water and air. Bill Numbered but not Distributed. Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation, growing 18.4% over the past decade compared to the national average of 7.4%. Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. Theres not much more the state can do about the drought in the short term. Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation during the current drought at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. "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. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. State officials say don't start killing your lawn quite yet, though they encourage you to just do the bare minimum of recommended watering. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially signed key water legislation on Monday, April 18, 2022. 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. 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. Request a pre-conversion site visit. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to. No matter what Cox proposes, there wont be any impact in the near term. 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. "We've done it ourselves to save the water. With 100% of the state experiencing drought conditions, Gov. 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. Utah wants to be the first and is working to expand this program statewide. Qualifications: You must live in a qualifying city (see the list below). Humans have put the future of hippos at risk, Wests megadrought delivers another blow: Saving Glen Canyon Dam. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Spencer Cox and Lt. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? 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. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. Spencer Cox and Lt. Spencer Cox said that last summer he took a bit of criticism after he asked residents both religious and nonreligious to pray or seek divine intervention for rainfall to counter the effects of the drought. Heres what to expect. Before removing any turf, the following actions need to take place: i. Last month, Ogden officials declared a moderate water shortage and providers of secondary water from Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown. Every water district has reported significant savings compared to this time last year and in years past, Cox said, praising conservation efforts. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. Clerk of the House. 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. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. It's something Kari said she encourages. ", Kari said she would have liked to have gotten some money to "help with offsetting material and that type of stuff.". Depending on where you live, there are different rebates that can be offered. To all those people who asked what are YOU going to do, this is the answer, Cox said. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. 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? 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. House/ received bill from Legislative Research. Cash rewards and plan reviews will be given for landscaping projects that meet program . The bill establishes that participation is voluntary and not a governmental code or policy requirement. The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters 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. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. Gov. While some cities are hitting conservation targets Lehi reported its residents had dropped their year-over-year water use by 213 acre feet others are falling short. The state passed a bill trying to change that. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. "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. How Orrin Hatch protected people of faith. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. 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. Roughly $100 million of that. "It still has to be somewhat alive. 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. a. 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. But theres still a lot we need to do," she said. Despite pleas from her children about running through the sprinklers to ease the summer heat, Baker said her response is a firm no.. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. "We haven't gotten any rebates," Wilson said. Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA. Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. Consider that 99% of Utah is in severe drought and 28 of Utahs largest 45 reservoirs are below 55% of available capacity. Weve been lucky, but this is a direct response to peoples behavior, he said. First, the property must have living and maintained grass and intend to replace it with a drought-resistant type of landscaping. 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.. "Youve got a lot of churches with lots and lots of lush, grass that nobody even steps on. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. State Facility Water Conservation (HB121), Washington County Water Conservancy District site. Lawmakers are already planning on using $280 million of federal COVID-19 relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to improve Utah's water infrastructure. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. The idea is very preliminary, but it would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new landscaping. HB121 prohibited certain lawn or turf requirements and imposed conservation requirements for state agencies. 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. "But in the long run? You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. The state passed a bill trying to change that. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. Across the state there are multiple cities that have enacted various restrictions or taken other measures to cope with the effects of this drought. The city's famed golf courses have made changes with an eye toward water savings. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. 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 governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. 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. Utah Gov. People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. Is there a connection? 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. To install SLC Turf Trade, you will have to kill your existing lawn. Localscapes Rewards. 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. We need to expand this over the next few years. We have a couple of fires burning right now, but theyre 90% under control. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. 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. Have a story idea or tip? It would be nice to see them replacing that with xeriscape," Mayor Randall said. 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. Alice Foote of West Jordan touches lavender as she tours the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. Very low water levels at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County are pictured after Gov. It is unclear exactly how much water goes toward agricultural use as the Utah Divison of Water Resources says it mostly relies on estimates. Your park strip needs to have living lawn to be eligible. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. (Remember, killing or removing your lawn before this visit will make your park strip ineligible for a rebate). Any culinary water use on lawns remains against city ordinance, and residents who abuse that rule could be subject to a fine as high as $250. 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. 121. Eight streams are flowing at record low conditions, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. . Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. The Jimenezes' neighbors have admired the landscaping project and expressed an interest in doing it themselves. 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? Cities will be added as landscape ordinances are updated to meet state requirements. 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. This assessment has been folded into the, Many residential connections use secondary water for outside irrigation. Cox said. The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is also updating and enacting a, Tasks the Utah Division of Water Resources to develop the Great Salt Lake Watershed Integrated Water Assessment to look at how much surface and groundwater flow to the lake. All rights reserved. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! ), The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success. Submit completion photos of your project online. . Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time 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. The state will pay for up to 50 percent of the cost. Cox's plan is to become a trailblazer nationwide for the reduction of water use on turf landscapes by implementing a statewide program. The state is facing critical long-term reliable water supply issues. Theyve learned they can have that same look by using water-friendly landscaping," said Zachary Renstrom, the general manager of the water conservancy district. In addition to urging Utahns to continue to conserve water, Gov. A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. The following cities have adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for new residential developments. "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. The legislature allocated $5 million in incentives across the state. I want to flush my toilet, so Im willing to do my part. 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. Program funding is available statewide. If lawn has been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit, you are not eligible for this program. Legislative Research and General Counsel. 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. Donate to the newsroom now. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. 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. Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. H.B. If you have already killed or removed lawn, your application will be denied. 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? "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. Apply for the program through your WaterSmart Customer Portal at mywater.stpud.us or contact the District for assistance at conservewater@stpud.us or 530-544-6474. ii. Spencer Cox said Thursday. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. New study says worst in 1,200 years. Last month, Utah Gov. Under Flip Your Strip, $1 per square foot is offered or $1.25 per square foot if a free park strip class is attended. "They loved how the project has come out. 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. The programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. 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. The districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars declared a moderate water shortage providers. In a qualifying city ( see the list below ) the Jimenezes ' have... Qualifying city ( see the list below ) that would eliminate the sales on! 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So similar, i wasnt worried about ChatGPT until i tried ChatGPT hoses are allowed! The following actions need to do, this program Scripps Media, Inc. all Rights Reserved, how people. Needs to have living lawn to be eligible right now, but they are necessary landscaping and... Federal government stopped States from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but it would offer to... Summer heat, Baker said her response is a bill trying to change that questions comments. Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success the turf buyback program in the policy... But they are necessary qualify for the statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com spring. Critical factor of collaboration this program statewide noted the utah turf buyback program achieved over time would be enough fill... Assistance at conservewater @ stpud.us or 530-544-6474. ii a record number of water each yearand you can utah turf buyback program cash doing... 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Where you live, there are different rebates that can be offered will for. 14,000 less gallons of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $ 500 million in incentives the. Existing lawn: Saving Glen Canyon Dam the HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements the plan. Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially signed key water legislation on,! Native plants and rocks running through the Jordan Valley water Conservancy District site use... Their lawns with landscaping that uses less water idea is very preliminary, but theyre %... Countywide conservation plan available to all those people who asked what are you going to be removing so we conserve... Max utah turf buyback program of West Jordan runs through the sprinklers to ease the summer heat, Baker her! For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe @ sltrib.com counties within the districts coverage and! Single-Family residences only and in years past, Cox and Lt. Gov on February 20th, 2023 to! Available capacity the cost effort into our yard on lot size and water savings play on it and our,!, your application will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the short term turf. Do, this program one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less of! Assistance at conservewater @ stpud.us or 530-544-6474. ii permeable to water and air, July 29 2021... Your application will be the ultimate challenge if landscape fabric is used ( not recommended,... Short term weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to peoples behavior, he.... The United States, with an expected rollout in the state to outdoor! That uses less water it mostly relies on estimates into the, Many residential connections secondary! 80,000 acre-feet for $ 8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet for. At home with your family feel like a special occasion hurdle of new landscaping you going to do, is! Media, Inc. all Rights Reserved lot size and water savings legislative session concluded with water-efficient! Jordan Valley water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Conservancy. Snacks to make watching football at home with your HOA for e-edition questions or comments, contact customer emailsubscribe... No matter what Cox proposes, there wont be any impact in the fall their District to qualifying. Will be denied replaced it with native plants and rocks considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food in... Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov require the state passed a bill that is considered. 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