Turf

28 www.westernturfmag.com April 8, 2014 Valid 8 a.m. EDT (Released Thursday, Apr. 10, 2014) U.S. Drought Monitor California http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Author: The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements. D0 Abnormally Dry D1 Moderate Drought D2 Severe Drought D3 Extreme Drought D4 Exceptional Drought Intensity: Drought Conditions (Percent Area) None D0-D4 D1-D4 D2-D4 D3-D4 D4 Current 0.00 100.00 99.81 95.21 68.76 23.49 Last Week 0.00 100.00 99.81 95.21 68.76 23.49 3 Months Ago 1.43 98.57 94.25 87.53 27.59 0.00 Start of Calendar Year 2.61 97.39 94.25 87.53 27.59 0.00 Start of Water Year 2.63 97.37 95.95 84.12 11.36 0.00 One Year Ago 2.84 97.16 48.39 23.22 0.00 0.00 4/1/2014 1/7/2014 12/31/2013 10/1/2013 4/9/2013 Brian Fuchs National Drought Mitigation Center D espite significant storms in late March and early April that drenched much of the northern half of the state, California is experiencing its driest year on record since 1895. Statistics paint a grim picture for the remainder of 2014: snowpack level in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is 32 percent of normal; Los Angeles has received 6.02 inch- es of rain for the season that began July 1, 2013 (45 percent of normal); San Francisco has received 11.23 inches of rain for the same period (52 percent of normal); and the U.S. Drought Monitor website classifies more than 95 percent of the state as being in a severe drought, including 23 percent in "exceptional" drought. In addition, for the first time in its 54-year history, the State Water Project will not make water deliveries to residential and agricultural users. To address the concerns, Gov. Jerry Brown has called on Californians to volun- tarily reduce water use by 20 percent. He recently signed a $687 million drought relief package that will assist those who have been hit hardest. What does this historic drought mean for golf facilities? Often scrutinized by the media for its water use, the California golf industry has stepped up to the plate to address the situation. Golf industry water conservation task forces have been formed in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Coachella Valley and Sacramento. These task forces work proac- tively with water agencies and municipali- ties to address restrictions, develop con- servation plans and assist in building long- term water policies that are effective for the golf industry, water agencies and California communities. The Los Angeles and San Diego golf industry water conservation task forces were formed in response to drought ordinances that were unworkable for the golf industry. These task forces developed protocols to sell the value of allowing "large landscape users" to meet water conservation mandates in a manner consistent with sound busi- ness practices. These practices would allow golf courses to reduce consumption while retaining 100 percent control over irrigation practices—an "alternative means" of com- plying without being restricted to watering only on certain days of the week and only during certain hours of those days. In return for the easing of restrictions, participat- ing large landscapes would be required to achieve greater water use reduction than other water users. The Coachella Valley golf industry water conservation task force was formed to meet or exceed the goals of the Coachella Valley Water Management Plan by maxi- mizing water conservation. It works with the valley water district and courses to accelerate recycled water use, addressing the mixed-use water situation in the val- ley and countering the negative perception that some of the non-golfing public and media have concerning the golf industry's use of water in the valley and the depletion of the aquifer. Formed in November 2013, the group has been meeting monthly with the Coachella Valley Water District and has made an immediate impact in arguably the nation's most popular destination golf community. The newest group to debut has been the Sacramento golf industry water con- servation task force. Formed in mid-Febru- ary by a group of dedicated GCSAA super- intendents, PGA professionals, general managers, owners and irrigation industry experts, the purpose of the Sacramento task force is to form long-term relation- California Groups Team Up Amid Historic Drought FROM THE GCSAA By Jeff Jensen, Field Staff Regional Representative (Southwest) ships with water agencies and municipali- ties in the Sacramento region. They have a goal of achieving palpable water conserva- tion in the golf and large turf industries. With Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada region being among the hardest hit areas in California, the industry is well aware of the perception of golf and large turf area water use during drought. The industry also realizes the need to be a part of the solution to mandated conservation goals of multiple water districts in the area. While the respective task force goals and accomplishments vary by region, one common element is present: the oppor- tunity to establish ongoing dialogue with individual districts. This dialogue can affect long-term strategies that can only be achieved through deliberation and the freedom from crisis, giving the golf indus- try the ability to deal with current and future circumstances however and when- ever they arise. GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 72 countries. For additional information, visit www.gcsaa.org. WT

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