The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. Spencer Cox and Lt. Cox discussed new policies his administration is hoping to push forward, like a buyback program for turf and secondary water metering. The state is facing critical long-term reliable water supply issues. Turf buyback programs like Jordan Valley's . 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. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. Theyve learned they can have that same look by using water-friendly landscaping," said Zachary Renstrom, the general manager of the water conservancy district. Governor Deidre Henderson, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey, Central Utah Water conservation manager Rick Maloy and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District general manager Bart Forsyth. Today Full time Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . If we can cut back on that, weve already had substantial savings. The following cities have adopted qualifying water-efficient landscape ordinances for new residential developments. By leaving the ice in this year and not letting it melt and then freeze again, the water savings will be substantial. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. We have to work with the resources on the ground, he said, but noted the paradox of having drought drive home the need for more water storage with the reality of less water available for storage. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Utahs 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water conservation bills and appropriations totaling nearly $500 million in spending. 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. Communities are welcome and encouraged to add additional standards, based on local need. 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. In Sandy, the community has saved more than 234 million gallons of water the equivalent of 359 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. 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%. 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! He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. The requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. "We haven't gotten any rebates," Wilson said. 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. In Jordan Valley's program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. $19.20 - $22.80 hourly, 9 days ago Contractor This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lakeand what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Also in the midst of planning are potential new water storage projects in Utah. We have not put a lot of time and effort into our yard. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. Everybody thinks about grass and gardens, but there are a lot of other uses too, he said. 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. These types of programs have traditionally been offered at the local level. 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. A study for the prioritization of water rights who gets what and how much during an extreme water shortage. Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. Program funding is available statewide. Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. Completed park strips must be irrigated with low-volume drip systems. 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. 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. Thats a good first start.. 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. No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. Washington County Water Conservancy District. "As a city? Now, for the bad news. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here. It. 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. One idea being considered to get Washington County residents to change their outdoor watering habits is paying people to kill their lawns. The bill passed on the 3rd reading and will now be considered in the House. 121. Free Localscapes Rewards programs classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the state. Establish a statewide turf buyback program: Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of municipal and industrial water use. Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. At minimum, the following water-efficient landscape standards for new residential construction will be required: *Lawn limitations do not apply to residential lots with less than 250 square feet of landscaped area. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. Every water district has reported significant savings compared to this time last year and in years past, Cox said, praising conservation efforts. 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. 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. Utah governor outlines four ways to conserve water in drought, Localscapes can help your lawn be water-wise, Bill package to eliminate food tax to be considered, Medicaid recipients must now re-qualify for coverage, What to watch for as the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Bidens student loan debt relief plan, Looking for a New Winter Activity? . Have a story idea or tip? "Theres going to be people that are going to have some pain points on this," Mayor Randall said. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. Completed projects must be covered with 3-4 inches of gravel, bark, or compost mulch. The state will pay for up to 50 percent of the cost. We really want to use grass in places where it makes sense. The passage of this legislation makes it the first ever statewide program of its kind. Flip Your Strip involves removing lawn from your park strip and replacing it with water-efficient plants and a drip irrigation system. We have a couple of fires burning right now, but theyre 90% under control. The legislature allocated $5 million in incentives across the state. Utah's 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. 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. "When a lot of these. The biggest hurdle will be selling lawmakers on the idea. 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. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. The Washington County Water Conservancy District has said it has enough water to get through this year, but plans are being made for drastic measures in the years to come. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. Last year was pretty stressful, said Brian Steed with the Department of Natural Resources. The this is the Utah Legislatures passage of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law. What is skijoring? 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. Realistically, they wont bear fruit, or water, until 2023. Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. The state will pay for up to 50 percent of the cost. "They loved how the project has come out. 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. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! If your community does not currently qualify for rebates, contact your elected municipal representative and encourage them to adopt qualifying landscape standards. What about people who have already xeriscaped their lawns and wont get money from the state. All rights reserved. Residents in areas that have adopted qualifying landscape standards are eligible for state rebate funding. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and []. Lawn areas shall not be less than eight feet wide at its narrowest point. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. $16.00 hourly. The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters 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. A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. Even if lawmakers find the cash to fund these programs, the earliest they will go into effect is next spring or early summer. Some local water districts have already started offering money for "flip your strip" programs designed to get rid of wasted grass on parking strips. "We've done it ourselves to save the water. 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. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " program help incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. She and members of the city council have called for a review all of St. George's ordinances and policies with an eye toward water savings. Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. Water-saving strategies are showing some success in unique ways. In addition to urging Utahns to continue to conserve water, Gov. Review the eligibility tab to ensure that your project qualifies for a rebate. All new state facilities in Utah may be required to have less than 20% turf. 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. 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. While most efforts are focused on managing the here and now, state officials are looking to Utahs water future and how to manage skyrocketing growth by preserving a precious natural resource. Lawn areas shall not exceed 50% of the total landscaped area for front and side yards.*. And can he win? 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