Texas Courses Try to Survive Heat Wave & Drought

Texas Courses Try to

Survive Heat Wave & Drought

By: Steve Habel

If you live in Texas, where it has been famously reported that there are two seasons - hot and not, you're accustomed to extremely warm and dry weather every time the calendar turns from April to May.

A Fairway in West Texas Shows
Effects of Heat & Drought

But the summer of 2011 will go down in history as the hottest and driest season ever. Rainfall has been virtually nonexistent since November 2010; temperatures soared to triple-digits in the spring and have stayed there for a record number of days.

The lack of rain has taken its toll on just about everything in the Lone Star State as reservoirs have virtually disappeared, crops have withered or were never put in the ground, and animals and fish continue to die from the effects of the heat.

With water at a premium, golf courses - which rely on precipitation to augment wells and effluent, or reclaimed, water to keep their greens, tees and fairways alive - have restricted their irrigation schedules in accordance with mandated water-rationing orders.

Some golf courses have closed, victims of a battle for water to quench the thirst of municipalities, while most have soldiered on, adhering to water-conservation practices while finding inventive methods to stay alive and keep their players on the course and members satisfied, if not happy.

"It quit raining last September and really hasn't rained a significant amount since," said Travis Miller, a drought specialist with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service and a specialist with the Governor's Drought Preparedness Council. "More than 90 percent of the state is in an exceptional drought or in an extreme drought. The remarkable thing is the extent and the severity of the drought combined."

Stranded Docks on Dried-up Creek
Feeding Lake Travis

The Hard Facts

Since January, Texas has received less than seven inches of rain, compared to a norm of about 14 inches, making it the most severe one-year drought on record. In August, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center said the La Nina weather pattern blamed for the lack of rain might be back soon, and if that happens, the dry spell would almost certainly stretch into 2012.

The extreme dry conditions have extended into parts of the Great Plains, including Oklahoma and Kansas, and, until the recent monsoon season, heavily affected New Mexico as well.

Some Texas rivers and lakes are at lows not seen since the 1950s - the decade when Texas suffered its worst drought in previous recorded history. Of the state's 3,700 streams, 15 major rivers and more than 200 reservoirs, at least seven reservoirs are effectively empty and more than half of the streams and rivers are at below-normal flow rates.

Playing off Grassless Fairways Are the
Norm on Some Texas Courses

Meanwhile, brush fires have destroyed more than 12,000 square miles of land since mid-November. The wildfire season usually wanes in spring but has persisted this year because of the unusually hot and dry conditions.

Just this week, the area surrounding Possum Kingdom Lake 45 miles west of Fort Worth was struck by its second huge wildfire in five months; the latest blaze was threatening as many as 400 homes in the area and had scorched about 6,200 acres, fueled by high winds, parched vegetation and unrelenting heat. Thirty-nine homes have been destroyed by this latest fire after 160 were incinerated in an extensive April blaze.

Central Texas has been among the areas hardest hit. In Austin, there has been no recordable rain since May and it has received less than a fourth of the 30 inches it usually gets each year. And the heat has been unbearable, even for longtime residents. On September 2, the city of Austin will endure its 78th consecutive day of triple-digit temperatures, far eclipsing the previous record of 69 days set in 1925.

Dry Bed of Pedernales River in Texas

Battles over Water & Survival

Texans are golfing more this year than last but course conditions have been severely affected. "Golfers want greens to be green," said Jimmy Mettlen, general manager and golf pro at Neches Pines Golf Course in the east Texas town of Diboll.

"The fairways might be a little harder than what we'd like, but the greens and tee boxes are good. That's one thing about golf: wherever you play, you remember the greens, and we've been able to keep ours in good condition. Our guys work very hard to keep it that way."

Mettlen has been drawing from the course's own water supply, which is good, but not as good as a real cloudburst. "The bottom line is we all need the water, and there's no water like God's water," he said. "Rain has a lot more of what the grass and trees need than anything else as far as both water and oxygen. When it rains, the course gets full coverage. That's impossible to do with simple irrigation."
Many municipal facilities in Austin are staying green in the scorching heat thanks to the city's use of reclaimed water. The city also uses untreated lake water to keep courses like Morris Williams GC playable during the drought. One of the problems is finding a time to irrigate as golfers are showing up before sunrise and playing into dusk to avoid the heat of the day, so crews have to move fast.

Keeping the grass healthy isn't the staff's biggest worry, but rather doing the same for the players. "I don't think people truly grasp what this heat is," said Kevin Gomillion, who oversees all operations for Austin's five municipal tracks. "We had our city championship in August, and we provided water bottles and water on every hole."

Because of the extreme weather the Lower Colorado River Authority, which regulates water use for more than a million people in Central and South Texas, asked its water users in July to implement a voluntary 5 percent water reduction.

Twin Creeks County Club, located in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park, complied with the request and went even further by reducing irrigation on out-of-play areas -practice-area targets and roughs - by 25 percent.

Because of the dearth of precipitation, the LCRA will soon mandate that Twin Creeks and other area golf courses reduce their irrigation by 20 percent. "Hopefully, relief will come and restrictions of this kind will not be necessary, but with the bleak weather forecast reductions of this magnitude are unfortunately likely," said Don Alexander, Twin Creeks' superintendent.
At Onion Creek Club in southeast Austin superintendent Michael Moore is bracing for another mandated water reduction. "The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer reduced our allotted pumpage by 30 percent beginning last week," Moore said. "We can expect this allotment to be reduced to 40 percent by the end of September if we do not start getting some type of rainfall. We are doing our best to try and keep all of our fairways green so that we do not have as many areas to grow back in after this drought is over."

Onion Creek Club has 27 holes of golf but will limit play to 18 holes daily through next week to reduce the traffic on selected nines for extended periods.

Bay Forest Golf Course in La Porte, south of Houston, uses reclaimed water or "grey water," which isn't restricted, to try to keep its course alive. Even so, the irrigation system can't keep the 170-acre layout wet enough as the roughs are cracking and trees dying.

Residents of the Hill Country town of Spring Branch are at loggerheads after the state gave its local golf course - Hawk Golf Club at Rebecca Creek - permission to use water from the barely moving Guadalupe River to irrigate its greens.

The town is under Stage 3 water restrictions because of the drought. The owner of the course says he goes through 150,000 gallons a night but added that the amount is less than half of what is a normal night's use. The course is working on purchasing a new irrigation system to save more water and its owners haven't been fined for excess watering.

In the Austin suburb of Manor, one golf course has given up the fight, at least temporarily. ShadowGlen Golf Club, a highly regarded daily-fee facility, shuttered its doors August 25 after a continuing and long-festering dispute over water. ShadowGlen's water source was shut off, forcing the club to close according to Blake Chaffee, the club's director of golf. Chaffee indicated that the club's management and owners hoped the closure would be temporary.

ShadowGlen's owners have been embroiled in a battle concerning the use of effluent water the course owns rights to but is not receiving. The water is not potable - drinking water-quality - that is being taking away from others in the community. It's grey water that is being dumped into nearby Wilbarger Creek, even during the drought.

Texas Aquatic Plant Management Society Newsletter

 One would have to be at least 60 years old to remember the last drought of this current one’s magnitude, older still to appreciate the true impacts of such a catastrophic event. The following update is provided to us from our friends at Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) in Houston Texas, but pretty much covers conditions all over the state. It is compiled from many sources, and tells the story so well that I felt no need to try to supplement or change it. It is NOT GOOD NEWS, but it certainly is information that everyone needs to be aware of and to start to prepare for, especially for folks in our industry, It is going to be a historic and interesting time, no doubt. 
Bellville: -24.60"
Brenham: -24.55"
College Station: -23.18"
Columbus: -25.32"
Conroe: -27.73"
Crockett: -20.53"
Danevang: -20.05"
Galveston: -17.97"
Freeport: -26.99"
Hobby: -26.96"
Bush IAH: -26.72"
Huntsville: -29.08"
Katy: -24.64"
Livingston: -31.21"
Madisonville: -26.97"
Matagorda: -25.37"
Tomball: -33.13"
Victoria: -26.73"
Fire Weather: It was already bad before Labor Day weekend, but then came the strong winds and dry air on the backside of TS Lee bringing horrendous fire weather conditions to the state. Since November 15, 2010, 3.6 million acres have burned across the state (old record was 2.1 in 2006) in 19,605 wildfires, with 4,376 structures lost. 48,613 structures have been threatened and saved. In the last 7 days alone, 181 fires have burned 166,45 acres across the state.
Elevated to at times critical fire weather conditions will continue until widespread wetting rains fall over the entire region. If rains do not fall, the state will have critical fire weather conditions behind each cold frontal passage this fall under strong and dry north winds which will promote rapid wind driven wildfires.
This is the worst fire weather conditions we have ever faced and additional fires similar to the Bastrop fire will become increasingly common if no rain falls.
Currently 251 out of 254 counties have burn bans in place, effective last week it is prohibited to start a BBQ in any City of Houston Park.
Agriculture: Crop and livestock losses stand at 5.2 billion dollars
During the summer of 2010 hay was selling for 12 dollars per ton, today it is selling for 170 dollars per ton.
There is little to no vegetation left for livestock to feed on. Hay is being trucked into the region from the SE US and the central plains to substitute for the lack of vegetation locally. Un-irrigated vegetation is now ei-ther dead or close to being dead. KBDI values are nearly 750-800 across every county in the area. At val-ues of 800, there is no longer any water in the top 8 inches of soil and all vegetation with roots in this layer will begin to die. It is interesting to note that The extreme short term dryness coupled with the record and long lasting heat of this summer is also result-ing in the loss of millions of trees across the area. It is estimated that at least 1.2 million trees have died in the last 3 months in the 8 county area around Houston. The Texas Forest Service estimates that between 26-64 million trees are currently at risk of dying from the current conditions or about 10-12% of the canopy coverage in this area. 6.6 million trees were lost to Hurricane Ike, so on the low end, the current drought may kill 4-5 times more trees than Ike. In Memorial Park alone 2,800 trees have died. In central Texas, live oak and cedar trees are starting to die from lack of water. Without sustained soaking rainfall all vegetation will continue to suffer and the area landscape will continue to decline.
Wildlife is also being greatly affected across the entire region as water sources have been depleted. There is no longer enough water to sustain wildlife in rural areas and significant losses are starting to occur espe-cially with respect to turtles, deer, and ground forage animals. In lakes and streams where water has dried up all fish supplies have been lost.
Water Supply: Strong evaporation rates from high temperatures and gusty winds continue to result in rapidly declining lake levels across the state. Decreases on capacity in the last 3 weeks have been 5-10% across many of the water supply systems. A total of 583 water supply systems have mandatory water restrictions in place with an additional 294 under voluntary restrictions. LCRA is reporting that the amount of water flowing into the Highland Lakes chain from Jan-July 2011 was only 10% of average, or the lowest ever recorded since the completion of Lake Travis in 1942. This poor inflow combined with incredible evaporation rates (122,000 acre feet) from Jan-July is resulting in significant losses on the water supply lakes. Based on the current lack of inflow into the lakes, strong evaporation, and demand, the lakes will continue to decline by about 1 foot per week into early October.
Lake levels below conservation pool and current capacity:
Lake Conroe: -5.30’ (77%)
Lake Houston: -7.60’ (61%)
Lake Buchanan: -27.36’ (43%)
Lake Travis: -48.38’ (39%)
Toledo Bend: -11.00’ (61%)
Lake Livingston: -3.10’ (86%)
Lake Somerville: -9.39’ (43%)
Lake Georgetown: -22.61’ (39%)
Sam Rayburn: -12.22’ (59%)
Forecast: No rain is forecast for the next 5 days, with maybe a 20% chance of rainfall over this upcoming weekend. With La Nina conditions developing again, and the tropical threat appearing to end for Texas, a warm and dry fall, winter, and spring appears to be in store for the state. 1 and 3 month forecasts from CPC show below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures through the end of 2011. The current drought will be  
Rainfall Departures from October 1, 2010 to September 3 are:

Fire At George Bush Park Contained

1,500 Acres Bur

HOUSTON -- A large fire burned about 1,500 acres of land at George Bush Park, but firefighters said it was 100 percent contained Wednesday.

RAW Video: George Bush Park Fire

Images: George Bush Park Fire | Map Of George Bush Park

The fire started near a roadway at the park in the 16700 block of Westheimer Parkway near state Highway 6 about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.

More than a dozen firefighters remained on the scene dousing hot spots and making sure flames did not flare up again. Fire lines around the flames helped contain it.

Smoke will likely be in the area for several days, officials said.

David Weeks said he is relieved the fire is out because he lives a few yards from the park.

"I actually woke up twice last night to just check for embers and stuff. There's a road there so it wasn't going to come over, but an ember could have come over and landed on one of the roofs," Weeks said.

Fire officials flew in a Houston Police Department helicopter to get an aerial view of what was still smoldering Wednesday.

"The problem with this is that you have large dead trees out there. That once these trees burn, they can smolder for days," said Danny Watkins with the Houston Fire Department.

Houston Fire Department officials said the fire traveled north-northeast and was pushed by the wind for a while.

Several agencies, including the Houston Fire Department, West I-10, Cy-Fair and other volunteer fire departments were battling the flames.

"It's just so dry," KPRC Local 2 chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley said. "It's what they call a tinderbox. It's as dry a ground fuel as you can get. This is the worst drought we've seen in probably a couple hundred years."

George Bush Park is about 7,800 acres.

No evacuations were ordered and no one was injured.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fire officials said a tossed cigarette may have ignited it.

HFD Safety Tips During Drought

Barbecue Safety

• Portable barbecue pits, charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices outside of a building should not be operated on combustible balconies or located within 10 feet of combustible walls or roofs or other combustible materials.
• When igniting the barbecue charcoal, use a charcoal lighter, not gasoline. Gasoline can flash violently in and around the pit causing serious injuries to anyone in the area of the flash. A fire extinguisher or charged garden hose should be handy while the fire is burning. Check the pit frequently to ensure that it is OK.
• Hot ash and coals from barbecue pits and charcoal burners should be placed in a non-combustible container until cooled or thoroughly saturated with water, before being disposed.
• Citizens should also be aware that there is a temporary ban on all barbeque pits in city of Houston parks.

Open Flames

• The city of Houston Fire Code prohibits all open-burning within the Houston city limits at all times. The burn ban in unincorporated areas of Harris County also prohibits any outdoor open-burning, including the burning of: a bonfire, rubbish fire, campfire, trench fire, or other fire in an outdoor location when not contained.

Vehicles, Trailers & Tools

• Park vehicles so that the exhaust system does not come in contact with dry grass, leaves, or weeds.
• Adjust the safety chains on trailers to ensure they don’t drag and create sparks that can cause roadside starts.
• Keep lawn mowers and agricultural equipment in proper working condition and avoid rocks and other materials which might cause a spark.
• Do not weld or cut without a spotter, a water source and a shovel.
• Notify the electric power company when dead trees or overhanging limbs endanger the electric wires. The wires may touch each other or the ground, causing sparks that start fires.

Cigarettes or Other Smoking Materials

• Another cause of accidental fires is carelessly discarded cigarettes or other smoking materials. They can smolder for hours and should be completely doused with water before being discarded in a safe manner, rather than tossed out a window or on the ground.
• Texas' arson law includes felony punishment for anyone whose cigarette recklessly sets fire to a building or injures anyone. Arson is a second-degree felony in Texas, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, but if a person is hurt or killed or if the fire involves a church, arson is a first-degree felony, carrying possible punishment of up to life in prison.

Alligators

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

© TPWD 2003/Photo by Earl Nottingham

Description

Body length: 6-14 ft.
The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, once on the verge of extinction, has made a tremendous come-back over the past 30 years. In 1969, Texas provided complete protection for the American alligator and classified it as endangered after passage of the Texas Endangered Species Act in 1973. Under this protection, along with Federally implemented regulations eliminating unregulated alligator hide markets in the United States, the species has made a full recovery and was delisted from the status of endangered in 1985.
The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. Almost black in color, the American alligator has prominent eyes and nostrils with coarse scales over the entire body. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth along the edge of the jaws. It's front feet have 5 toes, while rear feet have 4 toes that are webbed. An agile swimmer, the American alligator often floats or swims with only it's eyes and nostrils exposed.
The American alligator is carnivorous, and will eat anything it can catch, including fish, turtles, lizards, snakes, small mammals, waterbirds, crustaceans and other alligators. They can be very vocal; the young typically make a bark and adults will bellow, grunt, or hiss, depending on the circumstances.
American alligators normally avoid humans, but American alligators can become perceived as a nuisance when they establish territories around people. As human populations in Texas continue to expand, there have been an increased number of encounters between people and alligators. Alligators have been known to prey on pets and must be treated with caution. Alligators can be surprisingly quick on land and are capable of running quickly over short distances.

Life History

Alligators in Texas are mostly inactive from mid-October until early March, when they brumate. Alligators emerge from brumation in March. March 1 through May 30 is the peak time for breeding and nesting. During breeding season, females stay close to home territories while males may occupy ranges up to ten square miles. The female will build a nest of local vegetation up to 6 feet across and several feet high. She lays her eggs in the center of this mound, allowing the decaying vegetation and sunlight to provide the warmth necessary to incubate the eggs. Females typically lay over 35 eggs. Each egg is about 3 inches long. The eggs incubate for about 2 months, and the female will watch and defend the nest during this time. As the young hatch, they "yip" and the female will assist them by digging them out of the nest. Hatchling alligators are about 9 inches long and will stay near the female for up to two years. The female will continue to protect the young during this period. During breeding season, alligators from 4 to 5 feet long are also very transient while searching for territories of their own. Periods of extreme weather conditions such as drought or heavy rains can result in an increase in alligator movements.

Habitat and Distribution

Alligators are found in or near water. The American alligator is common in swamps, rivers, bayous, and marshes of the southern U.S., including the eastern third of Texas. While typically found in fresh-water, they can tolerate brackish water as well. Formerly an endangered species, the alligator is now a protected game animal in Texas. Special permits are required to hunt, raise, or possess alligators.


If You See An Alligator

The American alligator was once very common in rivers, creeks, and backwater sloughs of East and South Texas. Unregulated market hunting and habitat alteration resulted in near extirpation of the species in Texas by the 1950's. Legal protection, enhanced habitat conditions, and new water impoundment projects have resulted in a rapid repopulation of Texas by alligators during the past 20 years. To complicate matters, an ever-expanding human population continues to encroach upon the alligator's domain. These factors contribute to increased encounters between alligators and people.
Most Texans in "gator country" will live in close proximity to these native reptiles with no confrontations. However, there are occasions when certain alligators become "a nuisance" and must be handled by the proper authorities. TPWD received more than 400 nuisance alligator calls in Southeast Texas during 2003. (A substantial number of these were not true problem gators, and the sheer volume of these reports is taxing available manpower and resources needed to handle the real problems.) More than 100 alligators were relocated, mostly from subdivisions adjacent to natural habitat. A similar number had to be killed in similar situations. In these incidents alligators had lost their fear of humans and exhibited aggressive behavior. Relocation is not always a viable option, as by nature these animals are territorial. Relocating problem animals to other areas often creates greater problems. What is needed is a better-educated populace more able to recognize the few nuisance alligators and to coexist safely with the majority of alligators that are not nuisances.
The current legal definition of a nuisance gator is "an alligator that is depredating [killing livestock or pets] or a threat to human health or safety" under definitions laid out in the Texas Administrative Code (Title 31, Part 2, Chapter 65, Section 65.352). The following information should help you determine if the observed alligator may pose a threat to you or your property. If, after reading the following, you determine that an alligator is a "nuisance," please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement communications center in La Porte at (281) 842-8100 or in Austin at (512) 389-4848.

IF YOU SEE AN ALLIGATOR...

•If the alligator is not approaching people or otherwise posing an obvious threat, wait a few days if possible - even up to a week - before contacting TPWD. In spring and summer, alligators are moving to breed and find new habitat. Most of the alligators moving around are smaller ones that have been pushed out of their normal habitat by larger alligators. Usually, these smaller alligators will move further on in a week or two.
•If you hear an alligator hiss, it's a warning that you are too close.
•Alligators have a natural fear of humans, and usually begin a quick retreat when approached by people. If you have a close encounter with an alligator a few yards away, back away slowly. It is extremely rare for wild alligators to chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances on land. Never make the mistake of thinking that an alligator is slow and lethargic. Alligators are extremely quick and agile and will defend themselves when cornered. A female protecting her nest might charge a person who gets close to the nest, but she would quickly return to the nest after the intruder left.
•It is not uncommon for alligators to bask along the banks of a pond or stream for extended periods of time. These alligators are usually warming their bodies; they are not actively hunting. Often times a basking alligator may be seen with its mouth open; this is a way to cool its body temperature down, since alligators do not pant or sweat. An approaching human should cause these alligators to retreat into the water. (In some cases, the alligator may be protecting a nest - see below.) However, an alligator may be considered a nuisance if it leaves the banks of the water body to spend time near homes, livestock pens, or other structures.
•If you walk near the water and an alligator comes straight toward you, especially if it comes out of the water, it is definitely a nuisance alligator that needs to be reported to TPWD. In many cases, these are alligators that have been fed by people or have been allowed to get human food.
•If you see an alligator while walking a pet make sure that your pet is on a leash and under your control. Your pet will naturally be curious, and the alligator may see an easy food source. Alligators have a keen sense of smell. In areas near alligator sightings it is wise to keep pets inside a fenced area or in the house for a few days, during which the alligator will often move on.
•If you see an alligator in the roadway, DO NOT attempt to move it! Notify local authorities so the alligator can be handled safely.
•If you see a large alligator in your favorite swimming hole or pond, do not swim with it. Although alligator attacks in Texas are rare, it can happen. The "attack" reports in Texas are usually more accurately described as "encounters." As with all outdoor activities, realize that wildlife encounters are a possibility.
•It is not uncommon for alligators to pursue top-water fishing lures, and this activity does not constitute a threat to humans. As with fish, alligators are attracted to these lures because they mimic natural food. Most alligators can be easily scared away from boats or fishing lures. However, alligators that repeatedly follow boats, canoes, or other watercraft, and/or maintain a close distance without submersing may be considered nuisance alligators.
•If you see a nuisance alligator, consider why it is there. Did someone clean fish and throw the heads into a pond or river? If so, they created a potential alligator problem and could be breaking state regulations. Since October 1, 2003, it has been a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 for anyone caught feeding an alligator.

DOs AND DON'Ts FOR LIVING WITH ALLIGATORS

Adapted from "Living with Alligators," Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission )
Don’t - kill, harass, molest or attempt to move alligators. State law prohibits such actions, and the potential for being bitten or injured by a provoked alligator is high.
Do - call your TPWD regional office if you encounter a nuisance gator that has lost its fear of people.
Don’t - allow small children to play by themselves in or around water.
Do - closely supervise children when playing in or around water.
Don’t - swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.
Do - use ordinary common care. Swim only during daylight hours.
Don’t - feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed. It is now a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, to intentionally feed an alligator.
Do - inform others that feeding alligators creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.
Don’t - throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the end result can be the same.
Do - dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at most boat ramps or fish camps.
Don’t - remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so. Alligators do not become tame in captivity and handling even small ones may result in bites. In particular, never go near baby alligators or pick them up. They may seem cute and harmless, but mama alligator will be nearby, and will protect her clutch for at least two years.
Do - enjoy viewing and photographing wild alligators from a safe distance of at least 30 feet or more. Remember that they're an important part of Texas's natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland ecosystems.

Keep safe and help in preventing wildfires

Learn ways you can help keep Texas safe from wildfires

Approximately 90% of wildfires in Texas are caused by people. Seemingly harmless things like outdoor grilling, dragging safety chains behind a trailer, welding and building campfires can accidentally start a dangerous wildfire.
Use caution when:



Burning debris
        · Obey all local burn bans and restrictions.
        · Postpone burning when conditions are dry or windy.
        · Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil.
        · Never leave fire unattended.
        · Keep water and hand tools nearby.
Note: Escaped debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires in the State of Texas. Firefighters across the state cite inadequate fire breaks and failure to stay with outdoor fires as the two most common reasons for escaped fires.
Negligently allowing your fire to escape onto someone else’s property is a Class C misdemeanor offense that is punishable by a fine up to $500.



Welding/grinding/cutting
        · Remove vegetation from the work area.
        · Where vegetation cannot be removed, use a sprayer to wet down the work area prior to starting welding operations. Wet a wider area on the down-wind side from the welding location. If working in the same area for an extended period, re-wet the vegetation surrounding the work site.
        · Keep water handy.
        · Have someone with you to spot any fires that the sparks ignite so that they can be caught while small.
        · Avoid parking vehicles in dry, tall grass.
NOTE: During extreme dry, hot and windy conditions, fire may appear to be out but will re-ignite when temperatures and wind increase. Be sure to stir and wet down areas of grass that have burned dowsing with plenty of water before leaving site.




Baling hay
        · Check bearing frequently and stop use if they get too hot.
        · Remove any loose hay trapped around rollers-the friction can build up and start a fire.
        · Keep a fire extinguisher and field sprayer nearby in case a fire breaks out.
NOTE: During extreme dry, hot and windy conditions, have someone with you to watch for smoking balers.




Camping
        · Check local restrictions on campfires.
        · Build and burn campfires in a metal box or fire pit only.
        · Do not build a fire in dry, windy conditions.
        · Make sure the campfire is at least 15 feet from surroundings and low hanging branches.
        · Use an approved gas stove as an alternative for heating and cooking.
        · If charcoal grills are permitted, use them only over fire proof surfaces such as asphalt or bare mineral soil.



Using fireworks
        · Follow all county and city laws regarding fireworks use.
        · Only use fireworks outdoors and away from dry grass and buildings.
        · Read the labels and use only as directed, with adult supervision.
        · Keep water, wet towels an d a garden hose nearby.
        · Allow fireworks to cool completely before handling, and discard used fireworks into a bucket of water.

 Using lawn equipment and motor vehicles

· Keep mufflers and spark arresters on lawn care equipment in proper working order and watch out for rocks and metal when mowing
 · Dragging chains can start a grass fire along the road without your knowledge. A small piece of hot metal rips off the chain when it comes in contact with the pavement. When in contact with dry vegetation it can ignite a wildfire. Check to make sure your chains are secure and short enough not to drag.


Learn ways you can prepare your home and family for a wildfire

READY, SET, GO! 
READY. Prepare for the possibility of a wildland fire before the threat occurs. Take preventive actions to make your home safer from the threat of wildfire by using Firewise and similar principles (firewise.org).
- Remove combustible materials from around your home. Keep grass mowed short.
SET. Elevate your family’s awareness when fire weather occurs or when wildland fire activity increases. Form a family disaster plan.
- Agree on an evacuation plan that includes what to do if you get separated and where you’ll go in case of evacuation.
- Pack critical medicines, important documents, family heirlooms to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
GO. This is the simplest step: Execute your disaster plan by leaving early, well before the fire arrives.
- If instructed to evacuate, do so! Your “stuff” isn’t more important than your LIFE.

Resources: texasfirestorm.org and redcross.org.  

Be on the look out for your trees

Drought Causes Trees To Lose Limbs

 HOUSTON -- Southeast Texas homeowners are dealing with a serious danger right in their back yards. The drought is affecting trees so badly that they are losing limbs. Homeowner Jennifer Stancik said she felt her whole house shake when large branches from her back yard oak trees started to break. She said it felt like an earthquake.
"It was like a humongous bomb," said Stancik. "I've never experienced anything like it."
One large branch crashed right into her neighbor's bedroom. Her neighbor was OK, but it caused quite a scare.
"You didn't even want to go outside," said Karen Hoelscher. "It was that scary."
Silvicare Tree Service owner Mike Hackfeld said that in his 30 years in the business, this summer is the worst he has ever seen for dying trees. He said a majority of his service calls are for dying trees or dead tree limbs of living trees.
Hackfeld said it is important for homeowners to water their trees, especially large trees, in this dangerous drought.
Stancik said she is hoping and praying her oak trees, which are several hundred years old, will not cause anymore damage.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I think the drought would cause something like this," said Stancik. "It's eye-opening."

Hog Control "let's hope"

WARNING

ELECTRIC FENCING HAS BEEN

INSTALLED ALONG HOLES

#5,6,&7

Due to the severe damage that the hogs have caused us in the last two weeks an electrical wire fencing has been installed along hole #5,6,&7.

7:00 AM to 10:00 PM   No electrical current during     

                                                            operation hours!!! It's OK
                                        to touch the wiring.

10:00 PM to 7:00 AM   Electrical current will be on!!!
                                        Do not touch the wiring!

Golf Course Superintendent

Willy Plowman                      

Disney World to turn golf courses over to Arnold Palmer group

After four decades, Walt Disney World is getting out of the golf business.
The giant resort said Wednesday it has struck a 20-year-deal to turn over its five golf courses to a group headlined by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. The move pairs Disney World's courses with one of golf's best-recognized brand names while also allowing the resort to step back from a business that has become less attractive amid competition from a glut of new courses built during the housing bubble.
 Under the deal, Arnold Palmer Golf Management will take over day-to-day operations of each of Disney World's golf courses: Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, Osprey Ridge and Oak Trail. Financial terms weren't disclosed, though the Texas-based Palmer group will make annual lease payments to Disney and split revenue earned from the courses with the resort.

Roughly 330 Disney employees will be affected by the change. Disney said nearly all of the workers will be offered other jobs, at comparable pay, elsewhere in the resort. It expects others will be hired by Arnold Palmer Golf Management.
For Disney, a key attraction is the involvement of Palmer, considered one of the greatest players in the history of professional golf. The resort is banking on the association with Palmer to help set its courses apart in a crowded marketplace and lure more golfers who may have ignored Disney World in the past.
"This deal would not have gotten done if it had not been for Mr. Palmer's engagement and his desire to associate his brand with the Disney brand," said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises.
As part of the deal, Palmer will personally oversee a redesign of Disney's Palm course. The renovation isn't likely to be complete until at least 2013.
Representatives for Palmer, who lives in Bay Hill not far from Disney World, said he was unavailable for comment Wednesday. But in a prepared statement issued by Disney, the retired golfer said: "After 40 years as a golf course architect, I'm looking forward to this opportunity to contribute to Disney's rich and storied golf legacy. I've enjoyed a lifetime of memories playing golf and it will be a great reward to pass that on to those who share a passion both for Disney and the game of golf."
But the deal is also designed to get Disney itself out of the golf business, which has become much more challenging in recent years, particularly in Orlando and the rest of Florida. A glut of new courses — many built as part of residential subdivisions that sprouted during the housing boom — has forced operators to slash green fees to lure golfers, eroding profitability.
"There's too many courses and not enough players," said Tom Stine, co-founder of Golf Datatech, a golf-industry research company based in Kissimmee. "It's made the Orlando market very, very competitive from an operator standpoint."
Golf courses are also expensive to run. Stine said annual operating and maintenance costs for a single course can exceed $1 million — and Disney, which has a critically important image to protect, likely spends more than most. "You don't ever see a blade of grass uncut anywhere on the Disney World property," Stine said.