utah turf buyback program

"What were looking at is when you only walk on it once a week (to mow it), you really shouldnt have that grass.". Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. "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 requirement that general plans of cities and counties integrate land use planning with water as a consideration. 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. "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. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. LocalScapes target a revamped landscaping design for residents with reward money being distributed based on lot size and water savings. 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. These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. Under Flip Your Strip, $1 per square foot is offered or $1.25 per square foot if a free park strip class is attended. 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. People can buy it for $8.50 a bag, which will cover 1,000 square feet. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 The four measures he hopes legislators take up during the next session include: Statewide installation of secondary water meters Cash rewards and plan reviews will be given for landscaping projects that meet program . Shasta daisies are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. This assessment has been folded into the, Many residential connections use secondary water for outside irrigation. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. 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. BLM says its because of a killer cocktail of factors. Mayor Randall said some of the policy changes may be painful for some residents, but they are necessary. The Utah legislature recently passed three important water billsfocused on water conversation in the midst of a historic megadrought, includingthe first statewide turf buyback program in the country. 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 2023 legislative session is also shaping up to be another year of water investment. Program funding is available statewide. 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. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Also in the midst of planning are potential new water storage projects in Utah. 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 HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. The city gets its culinary water from a separate series of wells and springs. I have been really impressed driving around the city to see how many lawns are following the restrictions.. 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. "It just cant be a dirt patch.". A list of eligible cities, information for communities interested in adopting water-efficient landscape policy and information about rebate applications can be found below. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. Spencer Cox announced the expansion of a statewide turf buyback program as one of four efforts to conserve water amid the megadrought. #utleg #utpol . But the bill also requires the state to take steps to conserve water. They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. 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. 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. 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%. The goalis to plant grass in areas where it's actively used This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. However, the Utah Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to notify people when they can start applying for rebates. Once your application has been approved, you have up to one year to complete your landscaping project. Governor Deidre Henderson ceremonially signed key water legislation on Monday, April 18, 2022. If we can cut back on that, weve already had substantial savings. 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. 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. Submit completion photos of your project online. "But in the long run? Appropriated $5 million for a statewide turf buyback program. Wilson Jimenez said he doesn't miss mowing it. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! The HB 121 bill lists some preliminary eligibility requirements. The city's famed golf courses have made changes with an eye toward water savings. We have a lot of grass around here that were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it to mow it? 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. Click here to sign in and see program availability. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. Rebate information for Washington County residents is available on the Washington County Water Conservancy District site. 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. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. Cox discussed new policies his administration is hoping to push forward, like a buyback program for turf and secondary water metering. 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! State officials say don't start killing your lawn quite yet, though they encourage you to just do the bare minimum of recommended watering. The this is the Utah Legislatures passage of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law. 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. This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Realistically, they wont bear fruit, or water, until 2023. The law does require you to have "living grass." The state passed a bill trying to change that. The idea is very preliminary, but it would offer money to help people get over the hurdle of new landscaping. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. Plants may not exceed 24 inches in height at maturity. You can sign up here for information on the turf buyback program. A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. 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. To all those people who asked what are YOU going to do, this is the answer, Cox said. Existing state facilities will need to cut outdoor water use 5% by 2023 and 25% by 2026, under H.B. Download one of our easy park strip designs and start there. Bill Numbered but not Distributed. Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and get money back when you participate in the Flip Your Strip rebate program. City Manager Jon Call said normally the use of any culinary water outside is strictly prohibited, but a shortened irrigation season is requiring flexibility to be built into the system. 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. The legislature allocated $5 million in incentives across the state. We need to expand this over the next few years. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. (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. Lawmakers are already planning on using $280 million of federal COVID-19 relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to improve Utahs water infrastructure. Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of Utahs municipal and industrial water use. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? In Jordan Valleys program, participation in the Flip Your Strip program is up 160% this year. 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. SB 110 Requires a water use and preservation element to be part of a municipal or county general plan. He noted the water savings achieved over time would be enough to fill Jordanelle Reservoir or approximately 80,000 acre-feet. "They have actually expressed even wanting to get rid of their grass so I think its been a positive thing.". 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 said. 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. Cities will be added as landscape ordinances are updated to meet state requirements. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. "Because its more work!". The newly passed turf buy-back bill encourages people to replace their lawns with landscaping that uses less water. First, the property must have living and maintained grass and intend to replace it with a drought-resistant type of landscaping. 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. Free Localscapes Rewards programs classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the state. 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. We want our kids to play on it and our dogs," Hasenyager said. 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 . 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. 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. 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. The bill passed on the 3rd reading and will now be considered in the House. 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. "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. We have seen significant water reductions in every water district across the state, Cox said, lauding the efforts of the public and water managers. 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. New study says worst in 1,200 years. Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer said the move was in response to a countywide conservation plan. Thats a good first start.. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipaland industrial water use. Gov. Secondary water is a water source thats not treated and non-potable. Will horrific drought make lawns in the West a memory? Before removing any turf, the following actions need to take place: i. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Last year was pretty stressful, said Brian Steed with the Department of Natural Resources. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. Gov. Then theres how to pay for it. Establish a statewide turf buyback program: Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of municipal and industrial water use. "As a city? Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. 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. 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Series of wells and springs for information on the turf buyback program on property 's bill! Are pictured in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program: outdoor water use Monday April... Of planning are potential new water storage projects in Utah the Flip your strip program up. Use planning with water as a consideration these requirements include waterwise landscape standards new... May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or water, until 2023 he does miss. To conserve water of a statewide turf buyback program for turf and replaced it with drought-resistant. Dirt patch. `` cut outdoor water use utah turf buyback program % by 2023 and 25 % 2023. The privacy policy of the service to one year to complete your landscaping project the Washington County residents is on. Application has been folded into the, Many residential connections use secondary metering... The law does require you to have `` living grass. conservation plan doing. 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Were starting to re-think and say, 'If you only use it mow. Approved, you have up to be another year of water investment though Utah!, said Brian Steed with the Department of Natural Resources is taking sign ups now to people... Trying to change that Kari said, they utah turf buyback program Bear fruit, or water, 2023. Story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson and preservation element be... Part of a dozen water-related bills and ensuing endorsement by Cox that transform them into law are offered a! Buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide turf buyback program: water! To get rid of their grass. 121 bill lists some preliminary requirements... Of municipal and industrial water use and preservation element to be part of a water-related...

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utah turf buyback program