This page is devoted to frequently asked questions that come from new and existing residents of our neighborhood. If you have ideas for things to add, please send them to any of the Board members.

Information Regarding Hypoxylon Canker Fungus

During the recent Summer POA Picnic & Meeting, a question was asked concerning the Hypoxylon Canker Fungus that has been killing some of the oaks in RMR. The information sheet prepared by the Texas Forest Service is provided at this link: Hypoxylon Canker.

Pet Safety Reminder

Pet owner's are reminded that small pets are very vulnerable to the many different types of predatory wild animals that we have within River Mountain Ranch. Some of the predators include, but are not limited to: coyotes, mountain lions, and hawks. Many of the pets that get lost within RMR and are not recovered may have fallen prey to these predators.

Animal Control is the Animal Owner's Responsibility!!

The RMRPOA Board is routinely called regarding pets roaming the neighborhood and this item was a significant area of discussion at the 2009 Annual POA Meeting and will be again at this year's Annual Meeting on 23 January.

Please note that our covenants state "Any and all animals, including household pets, require appropriate fencing to confine them to their lot." Furthermore, Hay County law stipulates "Dogs are to be restrained by a leash or fence, unless the owner is on the property and is able to verbally command the animal to stay on his/her property. If the animal is found unrestrained, Hays County Animal Control can either issue a citation to the owner (if the owner is known) or impound the animal at PAWS Animal Shelter in Kyle, Texas."

All RMR residents are reminded to follow the requirements defined in Hays County Animal Control Ordinance # 20893. A copy of the Ordnance may be viewed or downloaded at this link: Animal Control Ordinance.

If you walk your dog, please keep it on a leash. If you find a dog running loose, or being a nuisance, please do not call the Board. Hays County has an animal control office:

Hays County Animal Control (part of the County Sheriff’s Department), 512-393-7896.

If you have a serious incident (if you are attacked by a dog for instance) and you call the Sheriff's office, requesting that a citation be issued to the owner (if known) will expedite the process of getting restitution from the owner.

Further information regarding Hays County animal control laws can be found at this link: http://www.sheriff.co.hays.tx.us/.

Rabies in Texas

Although Hays County is not affected, this information is provided to the POA membership to highlight which counties in Texas have a significant problem with rabies.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Oral Rabies Vaccination Program airdrop of rabies vaccine to immunize coyotes and gray foxes began on January 7th assisted by Texas AgriLife Extension Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Texas National Guard, U.S. Army Veterinary Laboratory, Dynamic Aviation Group and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of this program is to continue to prevent reintroduction of rabies carried by coyotes into South Texas and continue efforts to control rabies carried by gray foxes in West-Central Texas to reduce human exposure. Baits will be dropped over portions of 11 South Texas and 30 West-Central Texas counties to immunize coyotes and gray foxes against rabies and reduce the threat of the deadly disease to domestic animals and humans.

Counties affected in South Texas: Cameron, Dimmit, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy, Zapata and Zavala.

Counties affected in West-Central Texas: Concho, Crane, Culberson, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Irion, Jeff Davis, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Loving, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Midland,  Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Regan, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton, Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler.

More information, including project updates, available at: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/rabies/orvp/.

Oak Wilt in Texas

Oak wilt, one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, is killing oak trees in central Texas at epidemic proportions. Oak wilt is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, which invades and disables the water-conducting system in susceptible trees. For more information please visit this link: Texas Oak Wilt Information Partnership.

Why are those Cattle grazing all over RMR?

The River Mountain Ranch Property Owners Association (RMRPOA) has a cattle grazing arrangement with River Mountain Ranch Cattle Company (RMRCC). The cattle have grazing rights throughout RMR on those properties (approximately 1500 of the 2200 acres of RMR) that are unfenced and meet the requirements for an Agricultural Exemption as established by the Hays County Appraisal District. Please contact the Appraisal District if you have any questions at 512-268-2522. http://www.hayscad.com.

Can I use the manure that those nice cows leave in my yard for fertilizer?

No!!!! They roam our neighborhood munching away on the range grass (basically a weed) and weeds. If you use those lovely cow pies they leave in your flower garden, it will quickly be overrun with weeds!

However, one resident has used cow manure for fertilizer and it works great if used correctly. First you take the very old cow pies and put them in a large bucket of water. This should sit for about a week or more. Then you pour off the liquid (Called Texas Tea) and used it to water and fertilize your tomatoes. Wow, does it work well and no weeds either!

Aerobic Septic Systems: Do's and Don'ts

The following information was taken from an article that was in the Oct 2003 issue of Hometown News & Views. The title was "Aerobic Septic Systems - Don't Do and Do Do," by Steven White of American Aerobic Management Systems (AAMS). For more information, you can reach him at 847-0757.

"The toilet and your drains are not trashcans. Everything you flush eventually has to be dealt with. The idea is for the bacteria to break it all down and disperse something useful onto your lawn."

• "If it is not biodegradable it cannot be broken down. Do not allow any inorganic materials such as plastics, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, and Q-tips. Do not pour grease, coffee grounds, cooking oil, paint or chemicals that are designed to kill bacteria."

• "Garbage disposal use should be kept at a minimum because undigested food is very slow to degrade. Water softener backwash should be reouted away from the system. Disinfectants such as Pine-Sol, Lysol and bleach may be some of the best cleaners around, but they will also clean out the beneficial bacteria in your septic system and that is not good. So be frugal with these products."

• "Most residential systems are designed to treat 500 gallons per day. That means over a 24 hour period, not just the daylight hours. If you introduce too much water into the system the aerobic tank will not have time to treat the effluent completely and partially treated water will pass to the pump tank, which will be dispersed over your yard with an unpleasant odor."

• "Make sure you don't have any leaky toilets or faucets. Spread your laundry loads throughout the week. Liquid detergent is preferred over powdered. Fabric softener sheets are preferred over liquid types. Non-chlorinated biodegradable cleaners are preferred over antibacterial types. There is no need for additives like Rid-X. Most manufacturers advise against them."

Dealing with the Silkworms

You may have other solutions, but one that seems to work is a product called "BT". It's available at several places including home stores such as Home Depot and Lowes.

One resident offered the following to deal with the worms:

"Another solution that has been offered instead of spraying is to release Trichogramma wasps in January or February. These tiny, non-stinging, non-invasive wasps parasitize the eggs of the oak tree pest BEFORE they turn into "The Worm." Information on the worms and solutions can be found at the following links:

Regarding BT (from the Natural Gardner)
http://naturalgardeneraustin.com/information/tips/april.html

From Real Green Lawns http://www.realgreenlawns.com/austin_tx_texas/oakworms.htm

From the Texas Agricultural Extension at Texas A& M University
http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/uc/uc-021.html

Emergency Access to/from RMR

As everyone knows, we have a very steep drive into our neighborhood. Occasionally we have large trucks break down and completely block River Mountain Road towards the bottom of the hill. When this occurs, please call the Hays County Sheriff's office and they can open one of three available routes through:

1. White Wings
2. The access immediately to the right of the cattle guard at the inner main entrance
3. The Morales' property

Please note that this issue is currently being worked by the Board and the Firewise Committee.

Lyme Disease

Some of our residents have been diagnosed with Lyme Disease. As word gets around, folks have expressed curiosity about what it is. Lots of info on this topic can be found at: http://www.texaslyme.org/.