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.

Board Actions: Ratification of Cattle Grazing Arrangement with RMRCC

During the regularly scheduled meeting on 13 May 2010, the RMR Board took action to ratify the grazing lease agreement between RMRPOA and the River Mountain Ranch Cattle Company (RMRCC) plus the associated terms & conditons of the agreement. The document can be viewed at this link: Ratification Agreement.

River Mountain Ranch Cattle Company Purchases the Cattle Grazing Lease Rights and the Cattle from the Texas Water Brand Cattle Company

On 25 March 2010, the River Mountain Ranch Cattle Company (RMRCC) purchased the cattle grazing lease rights and the cattle from the Texas Water Brand Cattle Company. Over the next few weeks, additional information will be provided regarding the process to be used for the transfer of the current Ag Lease, that individual property owners had with the previous lease-holder (TWBCC), to the new leaseholder (RMRCC).

Over the next 90 days (weather and unforeseen terrain challenges permitting), the RMRCC intends to repair and add the fencing necessary to contain the cattle on the 2200 acres of River Mountain Ranch. RMRCC is committed to accomplishing this work as soon as possible, but if during this fencing period, or during some temporary fencing breach in the future, you find cows have somehow found their way to a place they should not be, you can contact one of the RMRCC owners and they will have the cattle moved back to RMR. The contacts are listed in the order you should call:

Mike Hicks 847-0096

Len Brinkman 847-6037

Please contact the RMRCC if any property owner would like additional information.

Finally, RMRCC thanks you for your support and understanding during this transition.

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.

Hunting & Violations of RMR Deed Restrictions

Residents are reminded that hunting is NOT PERMITTED on any lot within River Mountain Ranch that is less than 75 acres. The provisions of the Covenants & Restrictions that every RMR property owner agrees to follow at the closing of their property purchase, specifically state in Section A, Land Use, Item # 5 "No hunting shall be permitted on any lot of less than seventy five (75) acres..." This restriction is enforceable regardless of whether a resident has a legal permit to hunt or not.

Concrete Spills on RMR Roads!

Our roads in River Mountain Ranch, particularly River Mountain Road, have experienced an increased number of concrete spills from readymix trucks during the last few years. These spills, if not cleaned up immediately will damage the road surfaces and cost a significant amount of money (taken from our road budget) to repair.

We ask that anyone observing concrete spillage from one of these trucks please observe and record the following:

1) Name of Readymix Supplier (on side of truck)

2) The truck's "number" and/or the Texas Liscense Plate Number

3) Approximate time of spillage (day, date, time)

4) If possible, note where the truck was heading to, i.e. address of construction site within River Mountain Ranch

5) And, importantly, where spill occurred (name of road, approximate location)

We realize this is a lot of information to process and record but items #1, #2, and #5 are very important. Item #1 is the most important. As soon as you can reach a phone, call our Roads Chair (see Board page for contact information). If you leave a message, please give your name clearly, along with your phone number. If his phone is unavailable then call any other RMR board member and ask them to relay the information to the Roads Chair as soon as possible.

The RMRPOA has written letters to most of the suppliers of readymix operating within RMR and some are better than others in responding (regarding spills and speeding) in a positive manner. Most will work with us if we can let them know specific truck data. They can not prevent all spills, but if we can advise them of which drivers are having problems, then they (readymix suppliers) can reduce the spills to a minimum. We appreciate your help in our efforts to maintain and protect our roads!

RMR is a NO SOLICITING Neighborhood

This fact is clearly stated on two separate signs posted along River Mountain Road. The first sign is at the lower entrance off FM3237 and the second one just before our inner gate. These "no soliciting" signs were installed in late 2008 in response to several incidents where people were walking up 1/4 mile driveways and/or going around closed/locked gates to approach the homes while claiming they were selling magazines.

Our signage clearly warns anyone coming in that Soliciting is not allowed. The exact wording of the signs was, in fact, coordinated by the POA Board with the Hays County District Attorney's Office since RMR does not have an entry control gate. The POA may, in fact, seek to prosecute flagrant violations of our policy.

During the last week of July 2010, we again had an individual in our neighborhood that claimed to be soliciting paving jobs. He may have been a legitimate contractor (or not) but, in any case, he was in clear violation of our "No Soliciting" policy. However, we were unable to get any information concerning this individual or his company so that he could be formally notified of his violation of the policy.

Residents are also asked to please notify any contractor doing work for them of the No Soliciting policy. Please contact any Board member if you have any questions regarding this policy.

RMRPOA Board Statement Concerning Support for Continuation of AG Exemptions

The RMRPOA Board Members support the continuation of the open grazing of the cattle recently purchased by the River Mountain Ranch Cattle Company (RMRCC). Additionally, the RMRPOA Board Members support the continuation of Agriculture (Ag) appraisals for those RMR property owners that have a cattle lease with RMRCC and are granted a specific exemption by the Hays County Appraisal District (HCAD) as a result of applying for and qualifying for the Ag exemption. Remember, it remains the responsibility of the individual property owner to abide by the rules for maintaining the Ag exemption that was granted by the HCAD.

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 many of the last few Annual and Summer POA meetings.

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. The Hays County Sheriff's Office contains the County Animal Control Office and may be contacted at 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 (UPDATE)

The Hays County Sheriff's Department and the Wimberley Fire Department will keep us informed as to what the residents of River Mountain Ranch should do In the event of an emergency, such as a bad accident on RIver Mountain Road (that keeps the road blocked for several hours) or in the event of a wildfire. Our main entry road is the desired egress route from the subdivision, however, there are two emergency exits that could be used:

1. White Wings - through the gate past the landing strip to Red Hawk Road
2. The Morales' property - through the gate on the right side of lower end of Water Park Road past Hidden Creek, go across the low water crossing (Lone Man Creek) to Red Hawk Road

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/.