Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson speaks with Riverton Metropolis Council Member Tawnee McCay after a press convention saying grants for the conversion of grass areas into extra water-efficient landscaping on the West Jordan Metropolis Corridor in West Jordan on April 27, 2023. Ryan Solar, Deseret Information
West Jordan Mayor Dick Burton operates an excavator throughout a press convention saying grants for the conversion of grass fields on the West Jordan Metropolis Corridor on Thursday. Ryan Solar, Deseret Information
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson speaks after a press convention saying grants for the conversion of grass fields into turf on the West Jordan Metropolis Corridor in West Jordan on April 27, 2023. Ryan Solar, Deseret Information
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson introduced greater than $1 million in grants to a number of cities to assist convert grass to extra water-efficient landscaping.
Wilson was joined by a number of mayors and metropolis officers on the West Jordan Metropolis Corridor on Thursday, the place she expressed the necessity for continued conservation efforts, whilst Utah's document snowpack has lessened the consequences of drought this 12 months.
"It is onerous to imagine we're in a declared flood emergency and we're right here to speak about drought," she stated. "However certainly, our drought challenges are ongoing. I name it whiplash climate. We had an incredible 12 months ... however we all know that our Nice Salt Lake is struggling."
Shovel in hand, West Jordan Mayor Dick Burton joined Wilson and officers from neighboring cities to interrupt floor on a conversion mission within the parking zone in entrance of Metropolis Corridor. He stated town hopes to be an instance to residents to "flip their strips," by changing park strips and different nonessential grass.
"If we simply do these little issues, and sufficient folks do these little issues, it finally ends up making a giant distinction," he stated. "And that's amazingly vital."
Unhappy with the progress made by shovel, Burton climbed into a close-by excavator to tug up an extended strip of sod.
The grants will use funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, and can cowl conversion of turf on municipal property. They are going to be distributed by way of the Built-in Water Conservation and Land Use Municipal Partnership, made up of Salt Lake County, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and the Utah League of Cities and Cities.
Bluffdale, Riverton, Sandy, Taylorsville, West Jordan, West Valley Metropolis and South Jordan are all recipients of the grants, which whole $1.1 million. Collectively, the conversion initiatives will take away 412,000 sq. toes of nonessential turf and preserve 9 million gallons of water per 12 months.
Amid Utah's yearslong drought, efforts to transform “thirsty” landscaping — comparable to changing park strip grass with water-wise vegetation — have grown in recognition, each personally and on the municipal degree.
West Jordan Mayor Dick Burton operates an excavator throughout a press convention saying grants for the conversion of grass fields on the West Jordan Metropolis Corridor on Thursday.
Ryan Solar, Deseret Information
Burton stated the grants will assist West Jordan proceed the work they've already begun.
"With all of the (water) we obtained this previous 12 months, everyone's considering we're out of the issue," he stated. "We're not, however we shall be if we do not hold utilizing water. We use it and nature replenishes it. We will not management nature's schedule, however we will management the schedule of once we use it, and that is the place we have now the facility to make a distinction."
He acknowledged that residents throughout his metropolis — and the state — have already taken it upon themselves to transform their landscaping to save lots of water.
"Thanks a lot for what you've got carried out. You have carried out a improbable job," he stated. "We requested you to preserve, and also you stepped ahead and you probably did it."
"None of us can do that alone," Wilson stated. "Governments, companies and households all must do their share."
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson speaks after a press convention saying grants for the conversion of grass fields into turf on the West Jordan Metropolis Corridor in West Jordan on April 27, 2023.
Ryan Solar, Deseret Information