Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in 41 of California’s 58 counties. The proclamation eases water quality and environmental regulations and allows state regulators to move water where it is needed most. It does not implement any mandatory water use reductions at the state level. Additionally, the proclamation excludes most of Southern California which is supplied by federal and state water systems and does not rely on natural precipitation as much as the northern portion of the state. 

However, as we learned from the last drought that ended in 2016, regulations can change quickly. While no statewide restrictions are in place, we have seen local water suppliers starting to enforce mandatory restrictions as well as time/day of the week restrictions on golf facilities. While we can implement drought plans to effectively deal with water cutbacks, it is crucial that we maintain control of when and where we can use that available water. 

Attached you will find two documents. The first is a talking points document that you can use to discuss golf course water use with regulators, media, golfers and community members. It discusses conservation efforts, economic impact of the game, golf’s overall water use in the state and provides a number of resources for additional information. 

Click Here to Download or Review talking points Document

The second document is aimed at regulators and discusses the inefficiency of time/day restrictions on outdoor irrigation. This document will assist you in working with your regulators on exploring various “Alternative Means of Compliance” that still allow them to reach their conservation goals but protect golf courses from onerous time/day restrictions.  

Click Here to Download or Review the Time/Day Restrictions Information

The California GCSA also encourages you to strongly consider adopting the California Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide. The guide is a 226-page digital document that covers the sustainable management of a golf facility. The guide is completely editable to fit your facility needs and can be printed in a PDF or Word format. 

It can be downloaded and adopted in as little as 10 minutes and is free of charge. As time permits, you can go back into the tool and make changes based on your facility location and agronomic plan. It covers 18 chapters including four dedicated to water management and conservation. You can access the facility BMP tool at  https://www.gcsaa.org/environment/bmp-planning-guide . I encourage you to watch the “Brief How-To” videos located on the page before starting.  

Our goal is to have 500 of the states over 800 golf facilities adopt the BMP guide. It is easy, simple, free and will assist you in working with numerous regulators in your area as well as at the state level. Please consider adopting the guide as soon as possible. 

For the present, drought restrictions will be implemented at the local and regional level, and it is crucial that you get out in front of impending restrictions by meeting with your local water agency. Whether you are a single facility or work with a group of superintendents who are under the same agency, take the time to reach out and establish a relationship with these individuals as it will be beneficial to the future of your course.