This year, Utah's legislature passed bills that mandated water metering for landscaping, created a statewide turf buyback program, and set limits on turf at new state-owned buildings. Rebate amount varies by location. The this is the Utah Legislatures passage of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Today Full time Perennial plants must cover at least 50% of the converted park strip at maturity. What about people who have already xeriscaped their lawns and wont get money from the state. 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. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. Flip Your Strip involves removing lawn from your park strip and replacing it with water-efficient plants and a drip irrigation system. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax She's urging residents to think of things like covering a swimming pool when not in use to avoid evaporation, and second-homes in the area that water a lawn that the owner isn't even there for. HB 121 also requires water conservation at state facilities. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide rebate program. Once your application has been approved, you have up to one year to complete your landscaping project. 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. 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. Last year was pretty stressful, said Brian Steed with the Department of Natural Resources. Heres what to expect. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. A study for the prioritization of water rights who gets what and how much during an extreme water shortage. Whether if you are looking at the water conditions, we were facing last year. Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. Cox's plan is to become a trailblazer nationwide for the reduction of water use on turf landscapes by implementing a statewide program. "What were looking at is when you only walk on it once a week (to mow it), you really shouldnt have that grass.". By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. For North Ogden resident Chelsea Baker, her family is taking the restrictions in stride. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. 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. 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. Sign up for a free consultation to see how you can make your yard more water-efficient and Utah-friendly. 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. If lawn has been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit, you are not eligible for this program. 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. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially sign key water legislation at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County on Monday, April 18, 2022. 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. Communities outside of a partner water districts service area, including unincorporated areas, should work with the division. 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. In Jordan Valleys program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. Localscapes Rewards. 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. 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. 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. Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. At minimum, the following water-efficient landscape standards for new residential construction will be required: *Lawn limitations do not apply to residential lots with less than 250 square feet of landscaped area. Previously converted park strips do not qualify for this program at this time. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. Before removing any turf, the following actions need to take place: i. Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. ), The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success. 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. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. 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. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. Rebate checks will be made payable to the property owner. $16.00 hourly. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. SB 110 Requires a water use and preservation element to be part of a municipal or county general plan. You will be asked to provide photos of your project site and an estimated conversion area in square feet. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. Residents in these areas are eligible for rebates. 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. 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. Raising Our Political IQ. 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. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. 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. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. 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. 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. Roughly $100 million of that. 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. Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. This is generational.. Under Flip Your Strip, $1 per square foot is offered or $1.25 per square foot if a free park strip class is attended. In cases where metering is already happening, the savings have been as much as 30%. 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. Even though its water is filtered and recycled, the city said it is shutting down its splash pad on Aug. 2 due to some water loss. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. Spencer Cox and Lt. 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. Some lawmakers had concerns, but most were happy to move the bill forward and make changes later. Trees will not be considered in density calculations. 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. Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. Begin your application. Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? Thats a good first start.. Submit completion photos of your project online. Legislative Research and General Counsel. Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. 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. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. I want to flush my toilet, so Im willing to do my part. 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%. This bill is one I would consider generationally one of the most important pieces of legislation that you will see, he said. So many Utahns are doing their part to save water, which is fantastic, but theres much more we can do.. 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. 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. This rule is in place to follow local city ordinances. Roughly $100 million of that is already going toward implementing water meters on secondary water systems statewide. Thats ambitious, but Cox may have his work cut out for him if he wants to implement it on a statewide level. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Spencer Cox said Thursday. This program would be for front yards, back yards or any other "non-functional" grass. And were not alone, How metering could help conserve water as drought continues to plague Utah, The worth of water and what conservation strategies are working, Brown lawns, flushing less: How Utahns plan to save water. 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. 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. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. Cash rewards and plan reviews will be given for landscaping projects that meet program . 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. The state passed a bill trying to change that. Municipal water use makes up about 15% of all water use in Utah. a. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. It. 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? Last month, Ogden officials declared a moderate water shortage and providers of secondary water from Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown. What is skijoring? 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. 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" program. (Utah State Capitol. Call said this summer has jump-started fruitful discussions by residents on water conservation practices. Expect more information in spring 2023. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. Request a pre-conversion site visit. ST. GEORGE, Utah Mayor Michele Randall's backyard is turning brown and she's OK with it. Dormant is still alive," Hasenyager said. Is there a connection? 1/12/2022. Donate to the newsroom now. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Spencer Cox announced the expansion of a statewide turf buyback program as one of four efforts to conserve water amid the megadrought. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! Utah wants to be the first and is working to expand this program statewide. People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. Utah Gov. S.B. Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. 1/18/2022. About 70% of Utahs municipal water use is outside the home, mostly for thirsty turfgrass. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. 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. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. 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 governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. 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 . 12 arrested during All-Star Weekend for soliciting minors, Park City woman's car crushed by fallen ice at Kimball Junction Smith's, Prospector Square struggles with snow removal, illegal dumping, Utah's first auto restraint chairlift opens at Deer Valley Resort, 2-hour delayed start for Park City School District due to weather, FullTime Social Practitioner, SUMMIT COUNTY CLUBHOUSE, Adventure Camp Site Director- Park City, UT, YMCA of Northern Utah, Retail Sales Associate, Crosby Collection, ON CALL WAREHOUSE AND DELIVERY STAFF , Wild Events, L.A. 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. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. Riverdale in Weber County recently reported its aquifer had dropped 17 feet since May 1 and water conservation goals fell way short of what authorities had hoped. Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. Your park strip needs to have living lawn to be eligible. ", Kari said she would have liked to have gotten some money to "help with offsetting material and that type of stuff.". Gov. 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. 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. 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. 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. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. The Jimenezes' neighbors have admired the landscaping project and expressed an interest in doing it themselves. "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? 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. 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. (Isaac Hale | Special to The Tribune) Waves break on the shoreline of Utah Lake near the American Fork Boat Harbor on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Completed projects must be covered with 3-4 inches of gravel, bark, or compost mulch. Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. "Because its more work!". Now, for the bad news. Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. Click here to sign in and see program availability. The 2023 legislative session is also shaping up to be another year of water investment. 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. The Utah Legislatures passage of a municipal or County general plan my toilet so... Statewide turf buyback program to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water use. Provide photos of your project site and an estimated 5,000-8,000 gallons of water forward and make later... Native plants and a drip irrigation system the ice in this year and not letting melt... 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