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. The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters "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. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. Landscape Consultations. All Rights Reserved, How can people save water in drought? 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. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially sign key water legislation at Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County on Monday, April 18, 2022. 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. One idea being considered to get Washington County residents to change their outdoor watering habits is paying people to kill their lawns. Cash rewards and plan reviews will be given for landscaping projects that meet program . The state passed a bill trying to change that. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and []. The rebate is $1.25 per square foot of turf removed and replaced with water-wise landscaping. 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. The Weber County Sports Complex launched an initiative to do fewer cuts at its ice rink and in doing so, anticipates saving more than a million gallons over the year. a. ), The Best Tools for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Workplace Success. 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. In Sandy, the community has saved more than 234 million gallons of water the equivalent of 359 Olympic-sized swimming pools. "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. The governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. Previously converted park strips do not qualify for this program at this time. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. 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. 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. 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. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. Gov. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! Also attending are, from left, Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Lt. You have 6 months after your application to complete your park strip project. Governor warns water restrictions could come early with 90% of Utah in extreme drought, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory. All rights reserved. Request a pre-conversion site visit. No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips. House/ received bill from Legislative Research. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. The state will pay for up to 50 percent of the cost. We have a couple of fires burning right now, but theyre 90% under control. 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. New study says worst in 1,200 years. The governor announced four focus areas the state will fast-track to further advance water conservation and water planning: Lt. Gov. Despite pleas from her children about running through the sprinklers to ease the summer heat, Baker said her response is a firm no.. Cox's plan is to become a trailblazer nationwide for the reduction of water use on turf landscapes by implementing a statewide program. Establish a statewide turf buyback program: Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of municipal and industrial water use. Dormant is still alive," Hasenyager said. 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. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? In addition to urging Utahns to continue to conserve water, Gov. 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. 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. H.B. Last month, Utah Gov. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! Theres not much more the state can do about the drought in the short term. Appropriated $5 million for a statewide turf buyback program. Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. In information provided at the press conference, officials pointed to water savings in Layton, where residents and businesses have used 94.9 million fewer gallons of water this year compared to last year. The idea is very preliminary, but it would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new landscaping. "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. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. First, the property must have living and maintained grass and intend to replace it with a drought-resistant type of landscaping. In terms of individual water use, one measure by a Utah County lawmaker will create a great opportunity for water saving measures. Stay in the loop when you subscribe for free. I want to flush my toilet, so Im willing to do my part. The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. 1/18/2022. 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. As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, how we grow and develop today will set our water use for decades to come. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. How do we make that fair? Sandall asked. While some turf areas are important and provide a lot of benefit (e.g., parks and playgrounds), many turf areas are hardly used and could be replaced by beautiful drought-tolerant vegetation that requires little to no water at all. Weve seen significant reductions in water usage across the state. 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. The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. "These programs are typically offered at the local level, we're not aware of any state that offers such a program. Unpaid water bills will disqualify applicants from the Flip Your Strip program. Aware of an additional resource that would would be helpful to include on this site?Please send an email to greatsaltlake@utah.gov. Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation as Lt. Gov. Cox said. Communities are welcome and encouraged to add additional standards, based on local need. 1/12/2022. It. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. Across the state there are multiple cities that have enacted various restrictions or taken other measures to cope with the effects of this drought. Even if lawmakers find the cash to fund these programs, the earliest they will go into effect is next spring or early summer. 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. Will Mitt Romney seek re-election in 2024? Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. The bill passed on the 3rd reading and will now be considered in the House. Projects should remove all lawn from the park strip and replace it with water-efficient landscaping. We have seen significant water reductions in every water district across the state, Cox said, lauding the efforts of the public and water managers. 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. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. 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. If your community does not currently qualify for rebates, contact your elected municipal representative and encourage them to adopt qualifying landscape standards. Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA. 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). Trees will not be considered in density calculations. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " program help incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. 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. Under Flip Your Strip, $1 per square foot is offered or $1.25 per square foot if a free park strip class is attended. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Localscapes Rewards. The city gets its culinary water from a separate series of wells and springs. Free Localscapes Rewards programs classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the state. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. If lawn has been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit, you are not eligible for this program. 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. In cases where metering is already happening, the savings have been as much as 30%. 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. Review the eligibility tab to ensure that your project qualifies for a rebate. Spencer Cox said that last summer he took a bit of criticism after he asked residents both religious and nonreligious to pray or seek divine intervention for rainfall to counter the effects of the drought. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. 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. While the winter overflow system in Salt Lake County has been expanded this winter, the availability of beds has been a consistent issue. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. Rep. 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