Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. The programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. 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. Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. Governor warns water restrictions could come early with 90% of Utah in extreme drought, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory. Water Conservation Program staff will contact you to schedule a lawn verification site visit. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. #utleg #utpol . Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. Previously converted park strips do not qualify for this program at this time. I want to flush my toilet, so Im willing to do my part. 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. has said it has enough water to get through this year, but plans are being made for drastic measures in the years to come. 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. 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. 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%. You will be asked to provide photos of your project site and an estimated conversion area in square feet. The law does require you to have "living grass." Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. Concrete areas do not qualify for a square foot rebate, but pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted. TownLift is a web and mobile-based Entertainment & News media outlet providing Park City and Summit County Utah with Breaking Local News & Community Updates. Before removing any turf, the following actions need to take place: i. But the grass seed is designed to grow quickly in the . If lawn has been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit, you are not eligible for this program. 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. 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. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. Cox's plan is to become a trailblazer nationwide for the reduction of water use on turf landscapes by implementing a statewide program. A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. 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. Submit completion photos of your project online. 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. Last month, Utah Gov. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. 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. S.B. Sponsored by Rep. Val Peterson, R-Orem, HB242 provides $250 million in grants to fast track the metering of secondary water. 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. Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. The bill establishes that participation is voluntary and not a governmental code or policy requirement. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. 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. Gov. Sixty percent of our municipal water goes toward outdoor watering. Utahs 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. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. Landscape Consultations. Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. Coxs proposal is similar to the Flip Your Strip initiative offered by the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District which offers homeowners a financial incentive to replace the grass on parking strips with water-wise landscaping. Rebate amount varies by location. 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. Across the state there are multiple cities that have enacted various restrictions or taken other measures to cope with the effects of this drought. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory in late March, looking ahead to what was predicted to be an unprecedented drought year. 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. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utah's municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. and establishing a statewide turf buyback program. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. 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. Under Flip Your Strip, $1 per square foot is offered or $1.25 per square foot if a free park strip class is attended. 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. If your community does not currently qualify for rebates, contact your elected municipal representative and encourage them to adopt qualifying landscape standards. Roughly $100 million of that. "These programs are typically offered at the local level, we're not aware of any state that offers such a 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. 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. 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. 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. 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" 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 . The Legislature appropriated $70 million to continue improving agricultural water use practices, create benefits for farmers. 1/12/2022. To all those people who asked what are YOU going to do, this is the answer, Cox said. 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. 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. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipaland industrial water use. Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. "They loved how the project has come out. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Further information can be found on the states website. 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. Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. The city's famed golf courses have made changes with an eye toward water savings. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. . Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. Dormant is still alive," Hasenyager said. Heres the one word you cant say in a room full of Republicans, 106 wild horses have died in Colorado. During the 2022 legislative session, the Division of Water Resources received $5 million to implement a statewide grass replacement rebate program. In Jordan Valleys program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. SB 110 Requires a water use and preservation element to be part of a municipal or county general plan. Cox may have a tough time getting them to dip into ARPA funds for the program, as lawmakers have already said they want that money to be used for generational programs. The state is facing critical long-term reliable water supply issues. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. Then theres how to pay for it. 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. "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. "But in the long run? Projects required by governmental codes or policy are not eligible for this program. Washington County Water Conservancy District. Over 100 patients with brain tumors attended the same high school. Program funding is available statewide. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. Consider that 99% of Utah is in severe drought and 28 of Utahs largest 45 reservoirs are below 55% of available capacity. Bubblers, micro-spray emitters and soaker hoses are not allowed. Gov. Begin your application. Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . Should parents follow singer Pinks advice for kids and social media? 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. Today Full time Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! Additional program rules will also require adoption of the following ordinance for a city to remain eligible for incentives: With the exception of Washington County, the statewide landscape rebate program will be facilitated through utahwatersavers.com. Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. "We've done it ourselves to save the water. 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. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. Realistically, they wont bear fruit, or water, until 2023. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . 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. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. Mayor Randall said other policies being looked at include ordinances that required a certain percentage of landscaping be turf or prohibiting certain water-hogging trees in developments. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipal and industrial water use. A study for the prioritization of water rights who gets what and how much during an extreme water shortage. All new state facilities in Utah may be required to have less than 20% turf. The governor announced four focus areas the state will fast-track to further advance water conservation and water planning: Lt. Gov. 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.. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Perennial plants must cover at least 50% of the converted park strip at maturity. Weve been lucky, but this is a direct response to peoples behavior, he said. 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. Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. She understands that homeowners who have invested a lot of time, money and sweat into having perfect landscaping may be dismayed. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. House/ received bill from Legislative Research. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. 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. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. The Washington County Water Conservancy District offers tips for how to convert to desert-friendly landscaping. 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