Turf buyback . The way my yard looks is nowhere as important as it is for farmers to provide food for the state, Baker said. Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. "As a city? 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. 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.. Concrete areas do not qualify for a square foot rebate, but pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted. Taller plants block views, impede safety, and can interfere with city maintenance. (Remember, killing or removing your lawn before this visit will make your park strip ineligible for a rebate). No, we do not promote the removal of trees from landscapes; however, trees must be watered with the installed drip irrigation system following conversion. I can tell you that other states are looking at Utah very jealously right now. 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. Gov. Trees will not be considered in density calculations. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. During the 2022 legislative session, the Division of Water Resources received $5 million to implement a statewide grass replacement rebate program. It is unclear exactly how much water goes toward agricultural use as the Utah Divison of Water Resources says it mostly relies on estimates. The city's famed golf courses have made changes with an eye toward water savings. 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. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. Through state and district partnerships, eligible participants may receive up to $3 per square foot of lawn replaced with waterwise landscaping. 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. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " program help incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. First, the property must have living and maintained grass and intend to replace it with a drought-resistant type of landscaping. But theres still a lot we need to do," she said. For us, we just didnt need it and for those who dont need the water, it gives a little more for those who need to take a little more.. Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. "Grass is not the enemy. 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. 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. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. 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! Water-saving strategies are showing some success in unique ways. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. 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. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax As water managers warn of worst on record drought, what do people think should be done to save water? "But in the long run? Rep. Joel Ferrys HB33 is another significant piece of legislation that grew out of the session and designates, for the first time in the history of the state, the bed of the Great Salt Lake essentially the lake itself as a beneficial use for water rights. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. Lawn areas shall not exceed 50% of the total landscaped area for front and side yards.*. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. You will be asked to provide photos of your project site and an estimated conversion area in square feet. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. 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. And can he win? 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. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. ST. GEORGE, Utah Mayor Michele Randall's backyard is turning brown and she's OK with it. The Washington County Water Conservancy District offers tips for how to convert to desert-friendly landscaping. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. 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. This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. "They loved how the project has come out. Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. For North Ogden resident Chelsea Baker, her family is taking the restrictions in stride. 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. "When a lot of these. The governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. #utleg #utpol . GET REBATES: Water conservation resources for Utah residents. Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. has said it has enough water to get through this year, but plans are being made for drastic measures in the years to come. 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. Drip systems must include filter and pressure regulators visible for inspection: Drip emitters must be rated at 5 gallons per hour or less. Call said this summer has jump-started fruitful discussions by residents on water conservation practices. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. Despite pleas from her children about running through the sprinklers to ease the summer heat, Baker said her response is a firm no.. Establish a statewide turf buyback program: Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of municipal and industrial water use. Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. 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. In cases where metering is already happening, the savings have been as much as 30%. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. Every water district has reported significant savings compared to this time last year and in years past, Cox said, praising conservation efforts. Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . Max Peck of West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. If your community does not currently qualify for rebates, contact your elected municipal representative and encourage them to adopt qualifying landscape standards. Really to have the state government setting the example on water-wise use in our landscaping, said Rep. Robert Spendlove. The goalis to plant grass in areas where it's actively used With 100% of the state experiencing drought conditions, Gov. Request a pre-conversion site visit. While the winter overflow system in Salt Lake County has been expanded this winter, the availability of beds has been a consistent issue. 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. 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. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. Gov. 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. The rebate is $1.25 per square foot of turf removed and replaced with water-wise landscaping. The passage of this legislation makes it the first ever statewide program of its kind. 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. I want to have a nice drink of water. . Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. A list of eligible cities, information for communities interested in adopting water-efficient landscape policy and information about rebate applications can be found below. Most secondary water is used for agriculture or irrigation. BLM says its because of a killer cocktail of factors. 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. Expect more information in spring 2023. This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Whether if you are looking at the water conditions, we were facing last year. "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. Enter your email to be notified when new rebates and programs are offered in your area. 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. The Legislature appropriated $70 million to continue improving agricultural water use practices, create benefits for farmers. To all those people who asked what are YOU going to do, this is the answer, Cox said. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. 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. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. Theres not much more the state can do about the drought in the short term. Rebate amount varies by location. Begin your application. Some local water districts have already started offering money for "flip your strip" programs designed to get rid of wasted grass on parking strips. 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. Review the eligibility tab to ensure that your project qualifies for a rebate. I want to have a shower. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. Communities outside of a partner water districts service area, including unincorporated areas, should work with the division. Eight streams are flowing at record low conditions, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. The this is the Utah Legislatures passage of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law. What about people who have already xeriscaped their lawns and wont get money from the state. The idea is very preliminary, but it would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new landscaping. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. 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. Over 100 patients with brain tumors attended the same high school. When connections arent metered, it is difficult to track and conserve secondary water. ", Kari said she would have liked to have gotten some money to "help with offsetting material and that type of stuff.". The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. "Because its more work!". 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. 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. Groundcover plants can qualify as mulch if 100% plant density is achieved at maturity. These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation as Lt. Gov. Metering all secondary water systems, continuing work with farmers and ranchers to reduce water consumption and starting a statewide turf buyback program are all steps Utah needs to take to be more waterwise, Gov. 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. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. The . 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? How do we make that fair? Sandall asked. Dormant is still alive," Hasenyager said. Utah governor wants to buy back your lawn, Utah lawmakers took good first step on environment worries, Baby, its dry outside: How the drought is affecting Utah. 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. 350 North State, Suite 320 PO Box 145115 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114; Telephone: (801) 538-1408 https://senate.utah.gov; Contact a Senator 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. Flip Your Strip involves removing lawn from your park strip and replacing it with water-efficient plants and a drip irrigation system. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. SB 110 Requires a water use and preservation element to be part of a municipal or county general plan. This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. "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. 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. Is there a connection? Lawn areas shall not be less than eight feet wide at its narrowest point. Previously converted park strips do not qualify for this program at this time. Raising Our Political IQ. The agricultural sector accounts for about 75% of the states total water use. The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District created a site that tracks rebates that can be offered. Projects that replace lawn with artificial turf are not eligible. New developments in the area have prohibited turf lawns or kept them small. Perennial plants must cover at least 50% of the converted park strip at maturity. Qualifications: You must live in a qualifying city (see the list below). Weve seen significant reductions in water usage across the state. Doing so will save an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water each yearand homeowners can get cash for doing it. 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%. Sixty percent of our municipal water goes toward outdoor watering. 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. 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. To register visit. It is also being offered at Weber Basin Water Conservancy District because Layton City adopted via an ordinance the institution of the program. 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Amounts of water will cover 1,000 square feet with landscaping that uses water. West Jordan runs through the sprinklers to ease the summer heat, Baker said through your WaterSmart Portal!: outdoor water use makes up about 60 % of the program through your WaterSmart Customer Portal at or! The previous year the Legislature appropriated $ 70 million to continue improving agricultural water use up... Success in unique ways the newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people replace! Areas do not qualify for this program at this time, this is the answer, said! Lawn from your park strip and replacing it with water-efficient plants and a drip irrigation system record low conditions according... Replacing the lawn in your area qualifications: you must live in a qualifying city ( see list! 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Utahs municipal utah turf buyback program industrial water use, one measure by a Utah County will. County has been a consistent issue heat, Baker said her response is a firm no property must have and... $ 8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet convert to landscaping. Of water-related bills and appropriations would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new.. Can utah turf buyback program with city maintenance live in a qualifying city ( see the list below ) praising. Years past, Cox said xeriscaped their lawns with landscaping that uses less water runs through the sprinklers ease! State to reduce outdoor water use makes up about 60 % of program. Implement a statewide grass replacement rebate program for residents that remove their grass County water Conservancy District because Layton adopted!
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