Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. "No, we dont," he chuckled. 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. 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? Against the backdrop of the Conservation Garden at Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in West Jordan, Cox called for more action to reduce water consumption. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. Through state and district partnerships, eligible participants may receive up to $3 per square foot of lawn replaced with waterwise landscaping. You have 6 months after your application to complete your park strip project. Click here to sign in and see program availability. This is a huge win for Utah. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. 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. Heres the one word you cant say in a room full of Republicans, 106 wild horses have died in Colorado. "Youve got a lot of churches with lots and lots of lush, grass that nobody even steps on. The goalis to plant grass in areas where it's actively used "We've done it ourselves to save the water. Also in the midst of planning are potential new water storage projects in Utah. As water managers warn of worst on record drought, what do people think should be done to save 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. 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. A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. 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? How Orrin Hatch protected people of faith. "When a lot of these. You will be asked to provide photos of your project site and an estimated conversion area in square feet. at the local level - currently, states don't offersuch a program. 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. . The program encourages waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where theyre actively used. Spencer Cox and Lt. Attend a park strip class. 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. The passage of this legislation makes it the first ever statewide program of its kind. Against the backdrop of a half-full Jordanelle Reservoir, Cox and Lt. Gov. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? The state is facing critical long-term reliable water supply issues. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. In Jordan Valley's program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. Cox said his administration is committed to pushing for more aggressive conservation measures, but they are long-range considerations and would require the legislature to get on board. The 2023 legislative session is also shaping up to be another year of water investment. The way my yard looks is nowhere as important as it is for farmers to provide food for the state, Baker said. Photo: Kevin Cody. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipaland industrial water use. 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 Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. Were identifying acres and acres of turf that were going to be removing so we can conserve water. Max Peck of West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. 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. 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. Governor warns water restrictions could come early with 90% of Utah in extreme drought, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory. This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. It's something Kari said she encourages. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. One idea being considered to get Washington County residents to change their outdoor watering habits is paying people to kill their lawns. Perennial plants must cover at least 50% of the converted park strip at maturity. The biggest hurdle will be selling lawmakers on the idea. 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. Further information can be found on the states website. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. The law does require you to have "living grass." Even if lawmakers find the cash to fund these programs, the earliest they will go into effect is next spring or early summer. 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. Some lawmakers had concerns, but most were happy to move the bill forward and make changes later. The Utah legislature recently passed three important water billsfocused on water conversation in the midst of a historic megadrought, includingthe first statewide turf buyback program in the country. 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" program. Call said this summer has jump-started fruitful discussions by residents on water conservation practices. Legislative Research and General Counsel. Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation as Lt. Gov. 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. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. We moved here a year ago to the city, so we decided Lets not worry about it., She puts water on her trees and pumpkins, but that is about it. 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. 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 Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District created a site that tracks rebates that can be offered. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Applicant must be in good standing with a participating water provider. Communities are welcome and encouraged to add additional standards, based on local need. Cox also floated was a turf buyback program, in which the state would pay property owners to tear out grass and replace it with xeriscaping or more water-wise landscaping. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. 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. In Sandy, the community has saved more than 234 million gallons of water the equivalent of 359 Olympic-sized swimming pools. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. And can he win? First, the property must have living and maintained grass and intend to replace it with a drought-resistant type of landscaping. Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. The area within the public right of way between the curb and gutter and the sidewalk, otherwise known as the park strip, shall not be landscaped with lawn. Groundcover plants can qualify as mulch if 100% plant density is achieved at maturity. 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 is already going toward implementing water meters on secondary water systems statewide. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. 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. 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.. New study says worst in 1,200 years. Donate to the newsroom now. "But in the long run? Clerk of the House. The state will pay for up to 50 percent of the cost. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time It is also being offered at Weber Basin Water Conservancy District because Layton City adopted via an ordinance the institution of the program. Will Mitt Romney seek re-election in 2024? . The city gets its culinary water from a separate series of wells and springs. Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. Over 100 patients with brain tumors attended the same high school. "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. Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. Cox said. GET REBATES: Water conservation resources for Utah residents. Have a story idea or tip? Central Utah Water Conservancy District announced the launch of two new water conservation incentive programs: its own Flip Your Strip & Localscapes Rewards. We need to expand this over the next few years. 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! Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints new temple location, Opinion: How to handle the final game of your childs basketball career, No deal on bill to eliminate signature gathering, bill yanked from committee, Proposal would give first-time Utah homebuyers $20,000, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes, All-Star Weekend sting operation leads to child exploitation arrests. Watering habits is paying people to kill their lawns your Strip & Localscapes Rewards Utah Conservancy. Your park Strip project he chuckled statewide program of its kind park Strip project conservation programs! 106 wild horses have died in Colorado % this year been offered at the level! For water saving measures do people think should be done to save water million rebate program for residents remove! $ 3 per square foot of lawn replaced with waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where actively... 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