Utah

‘Turf takes water’ and in Utah’s arid Washington County that’s starting to be a problem

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2022

‘Turf takes water’ and in Utah’s arid Washington County that’s starting to be a problem

Utah cities are making ready for a future with much less water, and leaders in Washington County are passing strict conservation ordinances to increase its water provide.

Civic leaders are setting water effectivity requirements on new growth from indoor home equipment to automotive washes. The massive speak, although, is about limiting how a lot garden a brand new residence can have.

The southwest nook of Utah is sizzling and dry. The inhabitants is predicted to greater than double within the subsequent 40 years, in line with the Kem C. Gardner Coverage Institute. These elements, together with a historic megadrought, have the area’s leaders nervous about its most essential useful resource.

“When you’ve an excessive amount of water, you’ve a variety of issues,” mentioned Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist final September after the fee determined to carry off on approving larger density zoning for a city. “When you’ve too little water, you solely have one downside.”

A lot of the county depends on water from the Virgin River, which county water officers name unreliable. So, for the previous few a long time, the Washington County Water Conservancy District has been attempting to get a 140-mile pipeline from Lake Powell to the county. The way forward for that controversial venture is up within the air, as Colorado River Basin states scramble to maintain the reservoir above essential ranges.

Houses underneath development in south St. George, April 18, 2022. The area is seeing a file demand for housing.

Scott Taylor, water companies supervisor for St. George, mentioned to maintain the large progress they’re experiencing, they should do one thing, collectively.

“We have now a restricted provide of water,” he mentioned. “And we’re getting near the top of that offer. With out different sources of water coming on-line within the subsequent few years, we’ll be out of water. So something we will do now to preserve water stretches that finish date a bit bit longer.”

Almost 75% of town’s culinary water provide goes to residential use, and Taylor mentioned about half of that’s used open air.

Water conservation ordinances are slowly spreading all through the county, and each metropolis is approaching it a bit in another way — particularly in the case of grass. In St. George’s neighboring metropolis of greater than 7,500 individuals, Santa Clara, new householders can solely have garden cowl simply 8% of their lot.

St. George is taking a look at setting a cap on how a lot sq. footage of turf there may be, Taylor mentioned. Grassy park strips smaller than 8 ft on one aspect and slopes with greater than 15% grade can be prohibited, since they’re hardly ever used. Taylor thinks town council will move the ordinance, which incorporates different water effectivity requirements, within the subsequent month or so.

“Turf takes water,” he mentioned. “If we will restrict the quantity of turf that individuals are in a position to have, then that is going to, in concept, save water.”

The deal with new developments doesn’t deal with all of the water that’s already getting used, mentioned Ed Andrechak, water program supervisor at Preserve Southwest Utah, a neighborhood environmental group.

“The bottom of residential housing received’t be affected,” he mentioned. “I’ve heard individuals say… effectively, legally, they’re all grandfathered in. And my reply to that’s, effectively, if we’re near a faucet out of water, are we going to return and … begin tearing out lawns? We positive ought to and positive ought to have.”

Regardless of the problem in asking long-time residents to make radical adjustments to their yards, Taylor believes that sooner or later, landscapes within the metropolis will begin to change. He expects there can be monetary incentives for individuals to replace present landscapes.

Andrechak is glad to see cities and the county taking steps to preserve water, even when they’re years behind different desert municipalities. Extra not too long ago, the Nevada state Legislature is now requiring all non-functional grass to be ripped out.

“The dangerous information is we’re 22 years right into a drought,” he mentioned. “The excellent news is we’re 22 years right into a drought. And albeit, if there was ever a time for individuals to really feel it, they’ll.”

However are lawns “all dangerous, on a regular basis”?

With new houses or present houses, limiting the quantity of purposeful garden isn’t essentially the perfect strategy, mentioned Kelly Kopp, a turfgrass specialist at Utah State College.

Kopp is targeted on water-efficient landscaping and mentioned completely different sorts of grass have completely different wants. Some desert-adapted ones hardly even want water in any respect. Which means there are different choices for out of doors water conservation the county may very well be taking.

“They appear to be in search of straightforward approaches to water conservation and this is not simply Utah particular, by the best way,” Kopp mentioned. “It is a nationwide factor. … It is one thing that the water trade has latched onto as a result of it is simple. They’ll simply say, OK, all grass, all dangerous, on a regular basis, and that is straightforward. Nevertheless it’s simply not that straightforward. I want it have been.”

She thinks the county would have extra success with water budgeting — setting limits to how a lot individuals can use. Or she mentioned it could be higher to teach individuals extra on how a lot water grasses really need, which might be approach lower than you suppose.

“Individuals are irrigating about twice as a lot as they should,” Kopp mentioned. “If all people stopped that, simply consider the water. I imply, it could be superb and it could actually assist us get by way of the scenario that we discover ourselves in at the moment.”

Desert Color Localscape Certified Landscape — Desert Shade is a big master-planned neighborhood on the south finish of St. George. Its landscapes are licensed localscapes, or yards which can be primarily based on native vegetation and local weather.

Taylor admits, there’s an enormous downside with overwatering and so they’re engaged on schooling. However he mentioned St. George remains to be pursuing garden limits as a result of a minimum of if there’s much less grass, there’s much less to overwater.

He’s already hopeful as a result of many of the new developments in St. George are extra desert pleasant. Desert Shade, which might deliver one other 11,000 houses to the world, is “localscapes licensed” by the state. Which means the yards depend on minimal grass and extra native vegetation. The town noticed about 8% water financial savings final summer time in comparison with the earlier 12 months, whereas additionally including practically 2,000 new water connections.

Kopp cautioned there are a variety of good issues about grass too — although she mentioned the transfer to restrict non-functional garden, like park strips or turf that’s solely walked on when it’s mowed, is an effective factor.

Grass helps preserve areas round houses cooler, and she or he mentioned it gives different advantages like carbon sequestration and oxygen manufacturing.

“I simply do not need to see the proverbial child thrown out with the bathwater,” Kopp mentioned. “I need to keep these optimistic features that we get from our landscapes. … I do not need to see us be California, the place we’re shedding our city tree cover, the place we’re having simply horrible, ugly, terrible landscapes … I simply do not need to see us making those self same errors.”

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Utah

What to expect for the Nov. 5 general election in Utah

Published

4 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Polls closed for Utah’s primary elections on June 25 and preliminary results began coming in, setting the stage for the upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

While official voter canvassing results were not scheduled to be available until July 22, the Associated Press projected winners for several races by June 25.

Here’s what to expect for the voting process for the general election in November.

Who is running in Utah?

The June 25 primaries narrowed down the list of candidates running for office in Utah.

Gov. Spencer Cox was the projected winner for the gubernatorial race, according to the AP.

Rep. John Curtis was expected to clinch the Republican nomination to replace Sen. Mitt Romney, and would face off against Democratic challenger Caroline Gleich and Independent challengers Carlton E. Bown and Robert Newcomb in the 2024 General Election in November.

For a full list of Utah’s candidates, click here.

When are the registration and voting deadlines?

Depending on how Utahns register to vote, the deadlines for registration may vary.

Deadlines for registration (and how to register)

Voters in Utah can register online, in person, or by mail.

Online voter registration is available at vote.utah.gov, and it must be completed by Oct. 25, 2024. The deadline for registering by mail is also Oct. 25.

If registering to vote in person, the deadline is Nov. 5, 2024 (meaning you can register on Election Day if you have the proper forms of identification).

Deadlines for voting

Early in-person voting at the Government Center begins Oct. 22, 2024, and ends Nov. 1, 2024. Early in-person voting at satellite locations begins Oct. 29, 2024, and ends Nov. 1, 2024.

If returning a ballot by mail, the ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 4, 2024. Ballots should be sent to voters by Oct. 15, and the last day to request a mail ballot is Oct. 29.

On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Utahns can vote at polling locations from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

To find the closest polling location to you, visit votesearch.utah.gov and enter your address.

How do you check registration status in Utah?

If you want to vote but are unsure if you have already registered, you can check your status online at votesearch.utah.gov. To check your registration status, you need to provide your name, date of birth, and address.

That website can also display tracking information for mail ballots or provisional ballots, but not if you voted at a voting machine or in person.

Once you register to vote in Utah, you don’t need to re-register unless your registration status changes.

“If you have moved outside of the state and returned, or your name has changed, or your registration has lapsed by not voting in the last two presidential elections you will need to re-register,” according to the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office.

Registering on Election Day

Did you know that if you are not yet registered to vote you can do so on Election Day?

“A poll worker will assist you in registering to vote and casting a provisional ballot on an electronic voting machine,” the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office said.

To register on Election Day, you must bring a valid photo ID and proof of Utah residency to an Election Day vote center during polling hours. To see the full list of approved forms of identification, click here.

Who can vote in Utah?

There are three criteria for voters in the Beehive State.

First, you must be a resident of the United States in order to be eligible to vote in Utah. Second, you must reside in Utah for at least 30 days prior to the next election.

Third, you must be at least 18 years old on or before the general election. If you are 17 years old at the time of the primary election, you may still vote if you are 18 years old on or before the date of the general election.

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Utah

Utah Jazz NBA Draft Preview: 2024

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

The Utah Jazz have an exciting night tomorrow because they have the 10th, 29th, and 32nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. the Jazz have been in several rumors regarding the draft. Some rumors suggest the Jazz will trade up for higher than pick number 10. Some rumors suggest the Jazz will package picks 29 and 32 for a higher second pick in the first round. The honest observation at this point is that the Jazz might do just about anything for the draft. Tune in tomorrow night from home or from the Delta Center to find out what the Jazz do in round one! To watch the draft, tune in to ABC or ESPN.

Round One Draft: 6 PM MST, June 26th

Round Two Draft: 2 PM MST, June 27th

Below are projections on who the Jazz could select with their 3 picks. The projections are based on the Jazz’s rumored interest and generally where players are projected to be picked.

10th Pick Projections:

Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images

Ron Holland

Nikola Topic

Rob Dillingham

Cody Williams

Zach Edey

Dalton Knecht

29th Pick Projections:

Kyshawn George

Ryan Dunn

Baylor Scheierman

AJ Johnson

Justin Edwards

Cam Christie

Tyler smith

Johnny Furphy

Pick 32 Projections:

Picks 29 and 32 are close so these projections mainly overlap.

Harrison Ingram

Kyle Flipowski

Trentyn Flowers

Jonathan Mogbo

Jaylon Tyson

Tyler Kolek

Bronny James

Bobi Klintman

Final Prediction

This projection could be way off because this draft has a lot of parity and the Jazz could very well trade some of their picks. With that said, I predict that the Jazz select Nikola Topic with the 10th pick. For the 29th pick, The Jazz go for Ryan Dunn. For the 32nd pick, I predict that the Jazz select Jaylon Tyson. I think the Jazz will almost make a trade or two tomorrow but don’t quite pull the trigger.

What do you think the Jazz will do tomorrow night? Comment below!

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4 Utah Jazz rumors to watch before the NBA Draft

Published

19 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

4 Utah Jazz rumors to watch before the NBA Draft

The Tribune’s Andy Larsen breaks down the latest reports.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) tries to evade the block attempt by Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during NBA basketball in Salt Lake City Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

| June 25, 2024, 1:50 p.m.

The NBA Draft starts Wednesday, and the rumor mill is heating up around the Utah Jazz. Here’s the latest news, along with my reaction to the possibilities.

Trading for Mikal Bridges?

Rumor: Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reported that the Jazz are one of the teams interested in trading for Brooklyn wing Mikal Bridges, along with Houston and New York. Bridges is one of “Utah’s most aggressive aspirations,” Fischer wrote.

Reaction: The Nets have repeatedly declined to trade Bridges despite it probably making sense for the franchise to do so. Instead, they’ve been asking for more than three first-round picks in return for the 27-year-old.

Bridges would make the Jazz significantly better; he’s developed himself into a 20-point-per-game scorer while also being a solid defender. He’s the two-way player with size that these most recent playoffs have shown are extremely valuable. (Though we should note here that he was a far better player before the All-Star break than after it last year.)

The problem is that it’s not immediately clear that the Jazz would be a playoff team even with Bridges — he was an eight-win player last season, and the Jazz finished 15 wins short of the No. 10 seed. For an acquisition of Bridges to make sense, Utah would probably need to acquire other good players around him and Lauri Markkanen to get up in that 45-win range required to make the playoffs in the West. Still, it could be an exciting first step.

Trading for Zach LaVine?

Rumor: The Bulls “remain active” on trade negotiations sending out Zach LaVine involving the Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers, according to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson. However, reporter Marc Stein disagreed with the report, saying he had been “advised to dismiss Utah’s interest.”

Reaction: Johnson’s a quality veteran reporter, but I agree with Stein. While I haven’t heard recent updates, Jazz personnel earlier this year indicated that LaVine wasn’t a logical option in the pre-trade deadline market given the Jazz’s place in the standings, LaVine’s poor record of availability, and especially his high contract that pays him a combined $138 million over the next three years.

Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine (8) scores past Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball In-Season Tournament game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

I don’t suspect circumstances have changed enough since to make a LaVine trade make sense now, at least not a trade in which the Jazz are giving up assets. If anything, it might require Chicago to send out assets to push the Jazz to take on LaVine’s deal.

Signing Tobias Harris?

Rumor: The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Jazz and the Detroit Pistons “are expected to be the strongest suitors for Tobias Harris,” who is a free agent this summer after his 5-year, $180 million albatross of a deal ended with the 76ers.

Reaction: The Jazz will likely have about $40 million in cap space this summer. Some of that room the franchise anticipates using on Markkanen’s renegotiation and extension as the Finnish star enters the final year of his current contract.

Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) defends against Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Harris is theoretically someone who could help the Jazz. At this point in his career, he’s statistically pretty average across the board — his shooting, rebounding, passing, steals, and block rates are just around the 50th percentile, maybe a bit higher. Even average, though, would make Harris the Jazz’s best wing by a lot.

He turns 32 this summer, so Harris doesn’t make sense for the Jazz’s long-term future, and signing him would also mean fewer minutes for last year’s No. 9 pick, Taylor Hendricks. But if they could get him on a short-term deal for a discount, he could also be a tradable piece in a move later while helping the Jazz improve now.

Looking to move up?

Rumor: Multiple reporters indicated that the Jazz are looking to move up in the draft using the No. 29 pick and the No. 32 pick. First, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Monday morning that the Jazz are looking to trade the two picks for a “pick in the late teens.” Arizona sports radio host John Gambadoro reported that he believed that the Suns had had discussions with the Jazz, sending the No. 22 pick to Utah for No. 29 and No. 32. Fischer, meanwhile, floated the idea of the Jazz acquiring No. 17 from the Lakers in exchange for the two picks.

Reaction: Jazz general manager Justin Zanik acknowledged that the club has reservations about having six first- or second-year players on the roster next season, the logical outcome if the team makes all three selections on Wednesday. So the Jazz consolidating these picks in this fashion follows that line of thinking, especially if they are targeting a player they believe is significantly better than what’s available around the turn of the draft.

My only concern is that, in general, teams trading up in drafts get a little less value than those trading down when you study the issue analytically. The NBA Draft Pick Trade Simulator at nbasense.com is a good tool for looking at this — trading No. 29 and No. 32 for No. 17 is a pretty fair deal, but trading those picks for No. 22 would be analytically a bad idea. That’s especially true in a “flat” draft, where players’ values are considered pretty close throughout the first round.

If the Jazz are going to defy the analytics, they should be really sure that the player they’re acquiring with the higher pick is worth giving up two chances to place bets further down in the draft.

Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.

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