Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. "Because its more work!". They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. Click here to sign in and see program availability. 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? We have a lot of grass around here that were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it? Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. 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. In an effort to cut back on wasteful water use, Utah lawmakers approved the first statewide turf buyback program in the country, providing $5 million in incentives to residents who want to. It. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. Cox also said there are fewer wildfires burning in Utah in recent weeks, despite the increased danger from dry conditions. Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here. "When a lot of these landscape ordinances were passed, the goal was wanting to keep the community vibrant and look well-maintained. 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. 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. Localscapes Rewards. This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. Call said this summer has jump-started fruitful discussions by residents on water conservation practices. Sign up for a free consultation to see how you can make your yard more water-efficient and Utah-friendly. Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. You can register at UtahWaterSavers.com and plug in your address, finding local discounts on things like smart controllers for sprinkler systems, low-flow toilets and discounts on landscaping. The governor announced four focus areas the state will fast-track to further advance water conservation and water planning: Lt. Gov. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. 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. Communities are welcome and encouraged to add additional standards, based on local need. Through state and district partnerships, eligible participants may receive up to $3 per square foot of lawn replaced with waterwise landscaping. . Once your application has been approved, you have up to one year to complete your landscaping project. 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. 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. 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. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax 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. 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. Last month, Ogden officials declared a moderate water shortage and providers of secondary water from Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown. Gov. 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. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? 350 North State, Suite 320 PO Box 145115 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114; Telephone: (801) 538-1408 https://senate.utah.gov; Contact a Senator Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. Rebate amount varies by location. While the winter overflow system in Salt Lake County has been expanded this winter, the availability of beds has been a consistent issue. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. The following cities have adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for new residential developments. Clerk of the House. I want to have a nice drink of water. Attend a park strip class. Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. 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.. These types of programs are typically offered at the local level. Gov. 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. 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. ", Kari said she would have liked to have gotten some money to "help with offsetting material and that type of stuff.". As water managers warn of worst on record drought, what do people think should be done to save water? The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters The this, he added, is the unprecedented funding effort of nearly $450 million for water-related infrastructure, and lastly the this is the extensive amount of collaboration to lift a desire for change into actual action. Washington County Water Conservancy District. The program encourages waterwise landscaping, including having lawns only where theyre actively used. ST. GEORGE, Utah Mayor Michele Randall's backyard is turning brown and she's OK with it. 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. Shasta daisies are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. "But in the long run? "What were looking at is when you only walk on it once a week (to mow it), you really shouldnt have that grass.". 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. Applicant must be in good standing with a participating water provider. How Orrin Hatch protected people of faith. Thats a good first start.. This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. Donate to the newsroom now. If landscape fabric is used (not recommended), it must be permeable to water and air. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. Communities outside of a partner water districts service area, including unincorporated areas, should work with the division. 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 law does require you to have "living grass." Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " program help incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. Secondly, the owner has to be paid up and in good standing with their water provider. Expect more information in spring 2023. The biggest hurdle will be selling lawmakers on the idea. 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. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. 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. Cox discussed new policies his administration is hoping to push forward, like a buyback program for turf and secondary water metering. This is generational.. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! 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 programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. And can he win? A list of eligible cities, information for communities interested in adopting water-efficient landscape policy and information about rebate applications can be found below. State Facility Water Conservation (HB121), Washington County Water Conservancy District site. "No, we dont," he chuckled. Perennial plants must cover at least 50% of the converted park strip at maturity. Here are some of the best resources to make your workplace work better for Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed. Lawn areas shall not be less than eight feet wide at its narrowest point. She understands that homeowners who have invested a lot of time, money and sweat into having perfect landscaping may be dismayed. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. 121. The state is facing critical long-term reliable water supply issues. Existing state facilities will need to cut outdoor water use 5% by 2023 and 25% by 2026, under H.B. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. "We haven't gotten any rebates," Wilson said. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? 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. Pineview warned of a potential early shutdown with waterwise landscaping passed, the availability of beds has been,. Forward, like a buyback program selling lawmakers on the idea the program encourages landscaping. 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