The law does require you to have "living grass." Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. Today Full time Now, for the bad news. 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. 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. Spencer Cox said Thursday. 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. The governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. 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. 121. Most water providers have moved to a twice-a-week-only irrigation regimen and some are shutting down the season early, such as Davis and Weber Counties Canal Co., which will cease providing water in September. Dormant is still alive," Hasenyager said. All Rights Reserved, Gov. 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. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. "They have actually expressed even wanting to get rid of their grass so I think its been a positive thing.". You will be asked to provide photos of your project site and an estimated conversion area in square feet. When connections arent metered, it is difficult to track and conserve secondary water. First, the property must have living and maintained grass and intend to replace it with a drought-resistant type of landscaping. #utleg #utpol . However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to. 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. 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. Click here to sign in and see program availability. The Legislature appropriated $70 million to continue improving agricultural water use practices, create benefits for farmers. 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. House Bill 121(water conservation modifications) provides $5 million in incentives for people that want to voluntarily replace turf with drought-resistant landscaping and imposes water conservation requirements by state agencies at state government facilities. I want to flush my toilet, so Im willing to do my part. 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. Theres not much more the state can do about the drought in the short term. 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. Qualifications: You must live in a qualifying city (see the list below). HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipal and industrial water use. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Trees will not be considered in density calculations. Is there a connection? Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . Thats ambitious, but Cox may have his work cut out for him if he wants to implement it on a statewide level. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. S.B. 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. HB 121 also requires water conservation at state facilities. 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. Request a pre-conversion site visit. Very low water levels at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County are pictured after Gov. Attend a park strip class. Donate to the newsroom now. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. 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. Applicant must be in good standing with a participating water provider. 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. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Sponsored by Rep. Val Peterson, R-Orem, HB242 provides $250 million in grants to fast track the metering of secondary water. ", Water conservation authority considers 'turf buyback' as St. George reviews wasteful ordinances. 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. Rebate amount varies by location. 1/18/2022. Raising Our Political IQ. 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. We have seen significant water reductions in every water district across the state, Cox said, lauding the efforts of the public and water managers. 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. Weve been lucky, but this is a direct response to peoples behavior, he said. 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 . "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. The program encourages waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where theyre actively used. H.B. The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District created a site that tracks rebates that can be offered. Completed park strips must be irrigated with low-volume drip systems. Call said this summer has jump-started fruitful discussions by residents on water conservation practices. The programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. HB121 prohibited certain lawn or turf requirements and imposed conservation requirements for state agencies. "As a city? Will Mitt Romney seek re-election in 2024? Central Utah Water Conservancy District announced the launch of two new water conservation incentive programs: its own Flip Your Strip & Localscapes Rewards. Last month, Ogden officials declared a moderate water shortage and providers of secondary water from Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown. 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. 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. Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. Governor warns water restrictions could come early with 90% of Utah in extreme drought, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory. 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. 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. By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. 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. We want our kids to play on it and our dogs," Hasenyager said. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. This is generational.. Before removing any turf, the following actions need to take place: i. Water-saving strategies are showing some success in unique ways. 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. 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 . This program would be for front yards, back yards or any other "non-functional" grass. The drought in the short term George reviews wasteful ordinances it is difficult to track and conserve secondary.! You must live in a qualifying city ( see the list below ) encourages waterwise landscaping, including lawns. Available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars however the! 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