Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. Some local water districts have already started offering money for "flip your strip" programs designed to get rid of wasted grass on parking strips. Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. In Jordan Valleys program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. Request a pre-conversion site visit. All rights reserved. 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. Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation, growing 18.4% over the past decade compared to the national average of 7.4%. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Attend a park strip class. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. . The bills, which will be . Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. Raising Our Political IQ. Under Flip Your Strip, $1 per square foot is offered or $1.25 per square foot if a free park strip class is attended. Expect more information in spring 2023. Washington County Water Conservancy District. Spencer Cox and Lt. 1/10/2022. By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. If your community does not currently qualify for rebates, contact your elected municipal representative and encourage them to adopt qualifying landscape standards. 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. Humans have put the future of hippos at risk, Wests megadrought delivers another blow: Saving Glen Canyon Dam. During your consultation, you will receive watering suggestions, sprinkler system advice, and recommendations for your landscape. 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. And can he win? Bubblers, micro-spray emitters and soaker hoses are not allowed. 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. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " program help incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. Lawn areas shall not be less than eight feet wide at its narrowest point. Residents in these areas are eligible for rebates. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utah's municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. These types of programs are typically offered at the local level. 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. The city gets its culinary water from a separate series of wells and springs. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time Let it go," the mayor said. 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. 6300 N Sagewood Dr, Ste H579 Park City, Utah 84098, Signs of Drought at the Great Salt Lake. Now, for the bad news. Program funding is available statewide. The following cities have adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for new residential developments. Localscapes Rewards. Extreme drought has highlighted the need for Utah to stretch the water supply and look for ways to improve efficiency. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. ), The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success. Is there a connection? Then theres how to pay for it. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. #utleg #utpol . Legislative Research and General Counsel. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. 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. 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. 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. . "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. Last month, Ogden officials declared a moderate water shortage and providers of secondary water from Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. 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. Further information can be found on the states website. The state passed a bill trying to change that. 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. Its saving water," she said. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. 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. 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. Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. "Were lush. 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. With the dramatic decline of the Great Salt Lake and repeated pleas from state leaders to conserve water in the ongoing mega-drought, people have remarked at the high cost of replacing landscaping with drought-friendly turf. 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. 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. 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. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Donate to the newsroom now. $19.20 - $22.80 hourly, 9 days ago Contractor The this is the Utah Legislatures passage of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law. 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. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. Heres the one word you cant say in a room full of Republicans, 106 wild horses have died in Colorado. The bill establishes that participation is voluntary and not a governmental code or policy requirement. The governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. Roughly $100 million of that is already going toward implementing water meters on secondary water systems statewide. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. We have a lot of grass around here that were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it? These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. As Pineview supplies start to falter, North Ogden passed an ordinance relaxing some rules around use of culinary, or treated water, on shrubs, trees, flowers or for livestock. If you have already killed or removed lawn, your application will be denied. Water Conservation Program staff will contact you to schedule a lawn verification site visit. Cox discussed new policies his administration is hoping to push forward, like a buyback program for turf and secondary water metering. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. $16.00 hourly. 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. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. This gave us an opportunity to think outside the box, so that is what we did., Residents can learn more about rebates and water wise landscaping at UtahWaterSavers.com, Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Taller plants block views, impede safety, and can interfere with city maintenance. 1/12/2022. a. Roughly $100 million of that. Bill Numbered but not Distributed. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. Renstrom said the water conservancy district is not pushing people to get rid of their lawns, but reimagine how it could look with less grass and more drought-friendly plants. "But in the long run? Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . 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. HB121 prohibited certain lawn or turf requirements and imposed conservation requirements for state agencies. Some lawmakers had concerns, but most were happy to move the bill forward and make changes later. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. We have a couple of fires burning right now, but theyre 90% under control. 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. Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here. 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. Shasta daisies are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? Cox said. The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. A list of eligible cities, information for communities interested in adopting water-efficient landscape policy and information about rebate applications can be found below. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Most secondary water is used for agriculture or irrigation. Sponsored by Rep. Val Peterson, R-Orem, HB242 provides $250 million in grants to fast track the metering of secondary water. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. BLM says its because of a killer cocktail of factors. 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. TownLift is a web and mobile-based Entertainment & News media outlet providing Park City and Summit County Utah with Breaking Local News & Community Updates. The 2023 legislative session is also shaping up to be another year of water investment. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. Every water district has reported significant savings compared to this time last year and in years past, Cox said, praising conservation efforts. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. All Rights Reserved, Gov. Stay in the loop when you subscribe for free. In cases where metering is already happening, the savings have been as much as 30%. "We haven't gotten any rebates," Wilson said. In addition to urging Utahns to continue to conserve water, Gov. "Theres going to be people that are going to have some pain points on this," Mayor Randall said. When connections arent metered, it is difficult to track and conserve secondary water. In new commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family development common area landscapes, lawn areas shall not exceed 20% of the total landscaped area, outside of active recreation areas. 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. 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. 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. Cox's plan is to become a trailblazer nationwide for the reduction of water use on turf landscapes by implementing a statewide program. 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. Really to have the state government setting the example on water-wise use in our landscaping, said Rep. Robert Spendlove. Information on the district-level programs and others can be found on the Utah Water Savers site. 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. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to. But the bill also requires the state to take steps to conserve water. Even if lawmakers find the cash to fund these programs, the earliest they will go into effect is next spring or early summer. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. Free Localscapes Rewards programs classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the state. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. 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 nations 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 . GET REBATES: Water conservation resources for Utah residents. Trees will not be considered in density calculations. This bill appropriated $250 million in. This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. About 70% of Utahs municipal water use is outside the home, mostly for thirsty turfgrass. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. The state is facing critical long-term reliable water supply issues. "It still has to be somewhat alive. "What were looking at is when you only walk on it once a week (to mow it), you really shouldnt have that grass.". Weve seen significant reductions in water usage across the state. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. 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. Whether you're installing a new landscape or renovating an existing one, following the Localscapes five-step approach will give you a landscape that thrives! Click here to sign in and see program availability. New study says worst in 1,200 years. Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. 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? The governor announced four focus areas the state will fast-track to further advance water conservation and water planning: Lt. Gov. Republican-led states and conservatives challenging the program say it amounts to an unlawful attempt to erase an estimated $430 billion of federal student loan debt under the guise of the pandemic. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. ST. GEORGE, Utah Mayor Michele Randall's backyard is turning brown and she's OK with it. 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. This bill is one I would consider generationally one of the most important pieces of legislation that you will see, he said. Eight streams are flowing at record low conditions, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. A study for the prioritization of water rights who gets what and how much during an extreme water shortage. "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. It. The rebate is $1.25 per square foot of turf removed and replaced with water-wise landscaping. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Gov. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. (Utah State Capitol. "No, we dont," he chuckled. Localscapes is an approach to landscaping designed specifically for Utah. 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. Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. Thats ambitious, but Cox may have his work cut out for him if he wants to implement it on a statewide level. But theres still a lot we need to do," she said. Turf buyback programs like Jordan Valley's . The agricultural sector accounts for about 75% of the states total water use. 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