Watch: Gov. Cox hosts monthly news conference

SALT LAKE CITY (June 17, 2021) — Click here to watch Gov. Spencer Cox’s monthly news conference hosted by PBS Utah.

ASL interpretation is provided.

Some highlights from this news conference include:

  • Utah’s drought conditions are worse than most of us have seen in our lifetime. 2020 was the driest year on record and one of the hottest. As of June 1, statewide reservoir levels are 15% lower than this time last year, with 21 out of 42 of our largest reservoirs below 55%. Conditions vary across the state. Some reservoirs are doing okay but others could run dry this season. 
  • Our best hope for now is for all of us to start acting like we live in a desert.
    • Deserts don’t have green grass. Don’t water more than twice a week and let it go yellow.
    • Reserve your landscape watering for trees, shrubs and flower beds.
    • Set your lawnmower on the highest setting.
    • Consider replacing grass in your parking strip with xeriscaping.
  • Nationally, COVID cases are no longer falling. This doesn’t mean that we are in a spike, but we need to continue planning to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
  • We’ve received legal guidance that finds we don’t have the authority to implement a statewide ban on fireworks — though we do think a ban is a good idea. Local governments should seek guidance and enact their own restrictions.



Learn more by watching the entire conference on YouTube or Facebook. You can find the latest information on the coronavirus in Utah at coronavirus.utah.gov and more resources for water conservation at SlowTheFlow.org.

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