A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. 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. Participate in Skijoring the Bear on February 20th, 2023. 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%. Following our visit, you will also receive a summary report including information . The bill passed on the 3rd reading and will now be considered in the House. I can tell you that other states are looking at Utah very jealously right now. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. "Im trying to do my part and set the example," the mayor said in a recent interview with FOX 13. Previously converted park strips do not qualify for this program at this time. Will Mitt Romney seek re-election in 2024? To install SLC Turf Trade, you will have to kill your existing lawn. 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. No, we do not promote the removal of trees from landscapes; however, trees must be watered with the installed drip irrigation system following conversion. 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. S.B. Even if lawmakers find the cash to fund these programs, the earliest they will go into effect is next spring or early summer. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. 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. 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. During the legislative session, there was significant action to help the Great Salt Lake, which reached its historic low last year and continues to shrink. This gave us an opportunity to think outside the box, so that is what we did., Residents can learn more about rebates and water wise landscaping at UtahWaterSavers.com, Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Yes, but it is your responsibility to clear the project with your HOA. 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. This program would be for front yards, back yards or any other "non-functional" grass. Photo: Kevin Cody. Rebate amount varies by location. 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. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipaland industrial water use. Spencer Cox announced the expansion of a statewide turf buyback program as one of four efforts to conserve water amid the megadrought. The rebate is $1.25 per square foot of turf removed and replaced with water-wise 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. Sponsored by Rep. Val Peterson, R-Orem, HB242 provides $250 million in grants to fast track the metering of secondary water. Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. "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. Max Peck of West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? Park strips must be currently landscaped with living, well-maintained lawn. Utah Gov. Weve been lucky, but this is a direct response to peoples behavior, he said. 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. The law does require you to have "living grass." 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. The bills, which will be . 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. 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. Bill Numbered but not Distributed. 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. We have a couple of fires burning right now, but theyre 90% under control. SALT LAKE CITY Most of Utahs municipal water goes outdoors about 70 percent. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program, With the dramatic decline of the Great Salt Lake, Depending on where you live, there are different rebates that can be offered. 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. Ferry, R-Brigham City and a farmer himself, cobbled together a complicated compromise bill that allows farmers and other holders of water rights to lease those rights to the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands, which has oversight of the lake bed. Communities are welcome and encouraged to add additional standards, based on local need. Gov. (Remember, killing or removing your lawn before this visit will make your park strip ineligible for a rebate). 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. During the 2022 legislative session, the Division of Water Resources received $5 million to implement a statewide grass replacement rebate program. The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. Your park strip needs to have living lawn to be eligible. (Isaac Hale | Special to The Tribune) Waves break on the shoreline of Utah Lake near the American Fork Boat Harbor on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Secondly, the owner has to be paid up and in good standing with their water provider. "Were lush. "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. If your community does not currently qualify for rebates, contact your elected municipal representative and encourage them to adopt qualifying landscape standards. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This assessment has been folded into the, Many residential connections use secondary water for outside irrigation. 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. 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. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. No, This program is only for exisitng landscapes with grass park strips. 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. Taller plants block views, impede safety, and can interfere with city maintenance. 118 Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives, sponsored by Sen. Sandall, expands on the popular "turf buyback" program. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. Gov. 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. As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. You save a lot of money in your water bills if you convert that lawn, so I dont know if we need to add more of a financial benefit on it, Sandall added. 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. 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! 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? However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. "We still have a little bit of grass here, but we plan to eliminate the rest of that and continue with the desert landscape," Kari Jimenez said, showing FOX 13 News her new landscaping. Turf buyback programs like Jordan Valley's . The way my yard looks is nowhere as important as it is for farmers to provide food for the state, Baker said. No, this program is intended for single-family residences only. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Utah's 2022 legislative session concluded with a record number of water-related bills and appropriations. 1/12/2022. Some towns are already out of water, such as Echo in Summit County which has been forced to truck in drinking water from Henefer. 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. The programs are available to all eight counties within the districts coverage area and being funded at a half million dollars. 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. To conserve, we need to plant grass in areas where its actively used, not treat grass as the default ground cover. Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here. 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. Now, for the bad news. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. 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. 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