Warrior Golf Club would like to respond to the three issues that have appeared in area newspapers concerning our water agreement contract, water conservation and the “diesel spill” at Lake Wright.
First, the mayor, town officials and present board of the town of Landis have always operated with the sincere best interest for all citizens (individuals and corporate) in mind. Town officials Fred Steen, Bob Wood, and Tommy Branch are three first-class individuals, and the town is lucky to have them. WGC views itself as a corporate citizen because it purchases utilities (power and water) from the town. We should be included for future water management plans. A power and water contract was approved and signed at a public monthly town meeting by the present board before construction began. The 99-year contract calls for power (at a regular rate) and up to 500,000 gallons of water daily (at a raw water rate). Water is the lifeblood of a golf course and its absence would cause bad course conditions, thereby reducing the amount of play. Such an occurrence would directly affect the livelihood of 50 employees and their families. Since opening in July of 1999, WGC has purchased over $60,000 in power in addition to the water usage. Since opening, 100,000 people have visited WGC, with a percentage of them passing through Landis and spending disposable income at other local businesses.
Second, conservation measures were taken by WGC in July, long before the town of Landis issued the voluntary restrictions. Through August WGC had used 10 million less gallons than in 1999. (Fact: Even with a grow-in period in 1999, where more water was used, WGC never lost the ability to use its main pumps.) The main pumps are gravity fed and were installed at a level that is approximately 5 feet below the full pond level. No restrictions were given as to the level that the pumps were set. However, town officials told WGC that Lake Wright would hardly be used because it is a secondary source for Landis. The dredging of Lake Corriher was the only reason for its use in 1999. (With Landis pumping in 1999 and WGC pumping more than it ever would during the grow-in period, a shutdown of the main pumps never happened.)
This fact left WGC and the town of Landis feeling good going into 2000, with the winter leaving full ponds at Lake Wright and Lake Corriher. This confidence dwindled as WGC watched the lake level fall low in July. WGC began conservation as the levels reached the top of the intake pipe from the main pumps. The watering of fairways and tees was cut in half. The greens, however, had to be watered or they would be lost during the hot summer months. Then, in mid-August, WGC reached a critical stage. The main pumps had to be cut off because the water levels were too close to the gravity fed supply pipe. (Remember: No water restrictions were in place by the town of Landis). Permission was given to reset the main pump house. However, with the hope that a drought would not occur again in 2001, WGC opted for an auxiliary pump as a temporary measure on Aug. 16. Town officials approved this.
A little over one month and a half later (on Oct. 9), WGC was notified that it could not use any more water. Landis was issuing mandatory restrictions. WGC was the first and only (corporate) citizen to be cut off totally from water use. Searching for help, a miracle of goodwill occurred when the Patterson family allowed WGC to move the auxiliary pumps to their ponds. This act of friendship saved WGC from destruction.
Third, the diesel spill was less than one gallon. The spot was dug out over 300 times the size and the dirt was replaced. Test results revealed no negligence in this matter or with herbicides and pesticides. WGC is very environmentally sensitive to Lake Wright. During construction, hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on swells and sediment ponds to protect Lake Wright from runoff. WGC received the prestigious Green Dozer award from the state and county environmental agencies for sediment control. The present town board at the September meeting had the honor of presenting the award to WGC. At this public meeting, only praise was given for protection of the environment; no problems were brought up concerning water or the use of the auxiliary pump.
In summary, WGC doesn’t want to be used as a scapegoat for the drought. WGC has conformed to every aspect of the contract with the town of Landis. We have gone beyond the civil-engineered plans to protect our town’s drinking water. As a corporate citizen, it is our duty to protect our natural resources. We operate this business in a manner that our community can be proud of and have nothing to hide. During these hard times, all citizens should help each other, rather than calling for revoking contracts, removing officials and firing employees. The drought is God’s way of saying that he is still in charge. Thank God for the Patterson family. They are setting the right example.
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