Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson said Utah is leaning toward incentives to solve the state’s years-long water crisis.
(Leah Hogston | The Salt Lake Tribune) In an effort to kick off Water Week in the 2023 Utah Legislature, more than 40 members of the Senate and House expressed their support for the Legislature’s mission to protect, preserve and enhance Utah’s water resources at a press conference. At the Capitol, January 30, 2023
As the Great Salt Lake has peaked over the past two years, the Utah Legislature is focusing on encouraging Utahns to conserve water rather than approach the drought and water conservation with “sticks.”
House Speaker Brad Wilson said at a news conference Monday that “I’m sure we’re not going to need a stick in the ways that we’ve used.” “People continue to do the right things for the right reasons.”
According to Wilson, Utahns along the Wasatch River have conserved nearly 10 billion gallons of water through voluntary actions.
At this point, lawmakers aren’t discussing limiting Utah growth or slowing development, Wilson said. Utah is the fastest growing state in the country and also the second driest.
(Leah Hogston | Salt Lake Tribune) House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said about water conservation efforts lawmakers hope to implement Monday. In the year In an effort to kick off Water Week in the 2023 Utah Legislature, more than 40 Senate and House members showed their support for the Legislature’s goals to protect, preserve and enhance Utah’s water resources in the Capital Gazette on January 30, 2023. .
Senate President Stuart Adams announced legislation to cooperate with western states on water development, while Wilson introduced legislation to create an authority to oversee the management of the Great Salt Lake.
Legislators will also increase funding for existing initiatives, such as grass restoration programs and agricultural water conservation, he said.
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“We will fix our region’s water problem, not just a Band-Aid,” he said.
The news conference was to promote what lawmakers are calling “Water Week,” a week in which lawmakers will focus efforts on water legislation during the 2023 general session.