Acting proactively can assist in averting crisis in times of drought

Much of my last six months has been spent dealing with water issues that have become so prevalent throughout the southwest U.S. 

California has been the hardest hit, experiencing its driest year on record since 1895.  While the golf industry can’t control what Mother Nature throws or doesn’t throw at us, we do have the ability to better our situation. 

Golf industry water conservation task forces have popped up throughout California and work proactively with water agencies and municipalities to address restrictions, develop conservation plans and assist in building long-term water policies that are effective for the golf industry, water agencies and California communities.  Task forces exist in the Coachella Valley, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Luis Obispo, and have accomplished some great things in a short amount of time. 

These task forces can, along with assistance from the CGCOA, GCSAA, SCGA and USGA, provide much needed help to the industry, but the bottom-line is that over 3,000 water agencies exist in California and restrictions/policies varies from agency to agency.

As former speaker of the U.S. House Tip O'Neill once said, “All politics is local”, the same can be said for water policy.  With that being said, the onus needs to go on golf facilities to be keenly aware of their current situation in regards to water.  Below are some tips to assist your facility:

• Find out how your facility is classified by your water agency/municipality.  Is the facility classified as a commercial user? Is it lumped in with agriculture? Is there a golf course only classification?  In some cases, courses have been reclassified without their knowledge. 

• Check your respective classification for restrictive language or ordinances that may pertain to the golf industry.

• Set a meeting with your individual agency/municipality to proactively discuss any issues or concerns you may have about water allocations, conservation, pricing, restrictions, etc. With ongoing and proactive dialog, you can affect long-term strategies that can only be achieved through deliberation and the freedom from crisis, giving you the ability to deal with current or future circumstances however and whenever they arise.

• Attend city council and water agency meetings, when time permits.  If you can’t attend, read over the minutes posted to the respective websites.  Search for any information that could have a negative effect on the golf industry and your facility. 

• Strive to make your water management plan and conservation goals transparent.  Create a culture of openness and free flowing information with government regulators, employees, golfers, media and the general public. 

I hope you find the above information helpful and if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org.