Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. To install SLC Turf Trade, you will have to kill your existing lawn. 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. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. 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. Let it go," the mayor said. "They have actually expressed even wanting to get rid of their grass so I think its been a positive thing.". Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? Program funding is available statewide. The 2023 legislative session is also shaping up to be another year of water investment. 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. Weve seen significant reductions in water usage across the state. 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. Concrete areas do not qualify for a square foot rebate, but pavers, bricks, stone, and other permeable materials are permitted. 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. The biggest hurdle will be selling lawmakers on the idea. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. The city gets its culinary water from a separate series of wells and springs. They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. First-of-its-kind legislation passed in . While the winter overflow system in Salt Lake County has been expanded this winter, the availability of beds has been a consistent issue. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide rebate program. 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. Attend a park strip class. 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. Washington County Water Conservancy District. 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. 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. ST. GEORGE, Utah Wilson and Kari Jimenez are thrilled with how their yard looks. 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. Consider that 99% of Utah is in severe drought and 28 of Utahs largest 45 reservoirs are below 55% of available capacity. 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" program. Cox also said there are fewer wildfires burning in Utah in recent weeks, despite the increased danger from dry conditions. The governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 Enter your email to be notified when new rebates and programs are offered in your area. 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%. (Utah State Capitol. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. 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. has said it has enough water to get through this year, but plans are being made for drastic measures in the years to come. Water Conservation Program staff will contact you to schedule a lawn verification site visit. Cities will be added as landscape ordinances are updated to meet state requirements. 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. It is also being offered at Weber Basin Water Conservancy District because Layton City adopted via an ordinance the institution of the program. Stay in the loop when you subscribe for free. The St. George couple did not get any rebates or incentives to do it, but spent the past two years slowly replacing their lawn because they wanted to conserve water. For North Ogden resident Chelsea Baker, her family is taking the restrictions in stride. 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. The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is also updating and enacting a, Tasks the Utah Division of Water Resources to develop the Great Salt Lake Watershed Integrated Water Assessment to look at how much surface and groundwater flow to the lake. In cases where metering is already happening, the savings have been as much as 30%. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. The law does require you to have "living grass." It. 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. 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. Across the state there are multiple cities that have enacted various restrictions or taken other measures to cope with the effects of this drought. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. 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. TownLift is a web and mobile-based Entertainment & News media outlet providing Park City and Summit County Utah with Breaking Local News & Community Updates. Other water-related action taken by Utah this year include: Cox and others stressed the need to do even more as Utah continues down this path of unprecedented drought. Central Utah Water Conservancy District announced the launch of two new water conservation incentive programs: its own Flip Your Strip & Localscapes Rewards. ", Water conservation authority considers 'turf buyback' as St. George reviews wasteful ordinances. 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 . We have a lot of grass around here that were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it? She's among those who are following the advice of Washington County's water conservancy district to cut lawn watering to only three times a week for southern Utah in the state's drought emergency (it's recommended only twice a week in northern Utah). This bill appropriated $250 million in. Last month, Utah Gov. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. Information on the district-level programs and others can be found on the Utah Water Savers site. The following cities have adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for new residential developments. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. 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. All new state facilities in Utah may be required to have less than 20% turf. We really want to use grass in places where it makes sense. Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . $19.00 - $20.00 hourly, 4 days ago Full time Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. The idea is very preliminary, but it would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new landscaping. 1/10/2022. Photo: Kevin Cody. 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. But the bill also requires the state to take steps to conserve water. Metering secondary water systems, working with farmers and ranchers, and starting a statewide turf buyback program are all steps Utah needs to take to be more waterwise. 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. After the press event, Cox told the Deseret News that the drought has not taken controversial water development projects like the Lake Powell Pipeline and Bear River Development plan off the table. Some local water districts have already started offering money for "flip your strip" programs designed to get rid of wasted grass on parking strips. Have a story idea or tip? While some cities are hitting conservation targets Lehi reported its residents had dropped their year-over-year water use by 213 acre feet others are falling short. 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. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. 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. 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? 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. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. Gov. 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. 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. ", Kari said she would have liked to have gotten some money to "help with offsetting material and that type of stuff.". SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. 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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. Municipal water use makes up about 15% of all water use in Utah. 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. 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. The Washington County Water Conservancy District offers tips for how to convert to desert-friendly landscaping. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Metering all secondary water systems, continuing work with farmers and ranchers to reduce water consumption and starting a statewide turf buyback program are all steps Utah needs to take to be more waterwise, Gov. But the grass seed is designed to grow quickly in the . Rebate information for Washington County residents is available on the Washington County Water Conservancy District site. Information on the district-level programs and others can be the ultimate challenge the restrictions in stride offered in area. Cities that have enacted various restrictions or taken other measures to cope with the effects of drought. 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utah turf buyback program