Utah Division of Water Resources Wraps Up Water War
$5,000 Scholarship Awarded to Weber State University
Salt Lake City (Oct 25, 2017) This year’s H2Oath Water War competition was a nail-biter, with Utah State University (USU) and Weber State University (WSU) going neck and neck to the finish line. WSU got off to a strong start, at one point leading by 200pledges. USU fought back to gain the lead, then extended with an additional 400 pledges in a week. At the finish line, WSU worked some wildcat magic to pull off the win, beating USU by 32 pledges (and the other schools by hundreds) and winning the $5,000 water conservation scholarship award.
The heat from the competition could be felt in their social media posts and the overwhelming support they received from their students, staff, faculty, alumni and fans.
“I couldn’t be happier for Weber State, they really pushed getting pledges from start to finish and they totally earned it,” said Marcie Larson, Utah Division of Water Resources’ Public Information Officer.
“I really thought the Aggies would take it again this year, but It is awesome to see that Weber State did so well,” said Todd Adams, Deputy Director of the division.
“I’m so excited for Weber State. I attended WSU and so it’s fun to see them win this year,” said Joshua Palmer, the division’s Water Efficiency, Education and Engagement section manager.
H2Oath Water War competition was held September 18- October 20, 2017, and has a pledge category where H2Oath participants can choose their favorite Utah college or university. The pledge can be taken at water.utah.gov/H2Oath year-round and the division encourages people to participate at any time. Commitments include watering no more than what the division's Weekly Lawn Watering Guide recommends and several other practical commitments.
“I’m impressed with the way Weber State nailed the H2Oath Water War. I honestly don’t think anyone saw this coming, and we can’t wait to see what happens next year,” said Faye Rutishauser, State Water Conservation Coordinator.
College and university choices included:
· Brigham Young University
· Dixie State University
· Salt Lake Community College
· Snow College
· Southern Utah University
· University of Utah
· Utah State University
· Utah Valley University
· Weber State University
· Westminster College
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Background
The division launched “H2Oath: Utah’s Water-Wise Pledge” to encourage practical and efficient water conservation efforts by families, businesses, cities, government agencies and statewide organizations. It can be found at water.utah.gov/H2Oath.
The H2Oath is designed to commit individuals and groups to conserve more by following the division’s Weekly Lawn Watering Guide (found on slowtheflow.org, and posted weekly via the division's Facebook and Twitter accounts) throughout the irrigation season. It also encourages committing to several other water conservation actions. Governor Herbert showed his support last year by officially declaring May 10, 2016 "H2Oath: Utah's Water-Wise Pledge Day."
Thousands of people and organizations have taken the H2Oath. The division works to partner with organizations and individuals to conserve water through adherence to the pledge’s commitments. The division encourages people to take the pledge, and show support by asking their family, friends, customers, employees and constituents to do the same.
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DENVER—The Department of the Interior has sent a draft 5-year strategic plan to the White House, first reported by The Nation. The strategic plan scrubs any mention of climate change and sets a goal for privatizing national park operations, while prioritizing extraction of publicly-owned resources. In response, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Deputy Director Greg Zimmerman:
“This document is a succinct description of the Zinke Doctrine—private drilling and mining companies get top billing at the expense of Americans accessing our parks and public lands. On the week that the Interior Department proposed severe fee hikes for national parks visitors and Secretary Zinke crowed about selling oil leases at bargain rates, we’re seeing first-hand how everyday Americans lose under the Zinke Doctrine.
“If this is a roadmap for our parks and public lands, then we should all feel sorry for future generations.”
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org
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