RIO HONDO RANCHES TARPLEY TX


DO YOU KNOW WHAT A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS?



Red Flag Warning


A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an INCREASED RISK OF FIRE DANGER.


IF (and that's a BIG IF) you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.


Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.


Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch.


Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.


Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.



Gift to our Community





Are you willing to sign up to give a non-monetary Gift to our Community?


Aquifers flow. Which direction? We don’t know Canyon specific details.. Aquifers recharge with rainfall and are depleted during drought. How much and where? Are some areas more at risk for depletion from permitted groundwater withdrawal than others?


The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is partnering with landowners in Bandera, northern Bexar and Medina, and parts of Comal and Kendall Counties who are willing to participate in a groundwater study of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers.


Will you help? Your part of the partnership is a two-step process.


First, USGS will determine if your well head has ready access for water level measurement. This means that a line can be dropped down your well to measure where the water level is.


If the water level in your well can be measured, USGS would like permission to measure the water level in your well twice a year for 2-4 years (January/February and August/September.


Your participation will be a significant gift to our community. The better we understand our aquifer, its flow up and down our canyons, its recharge with rain and its depletion during drought, the better we can plan to use this groundwater wisely.


How do you personally benefit from participating? You will know where your well water level is, where it is going over time. You will be provided data on how the well water level rises or falls in your specific area.


For all of us, well measurements at multiple locations will allow modelling of potentiometric flows of water. When it rains, where is the greatest increase in aquifer levels seen? And in drought, where do the worst falls occur? Most of Texas is owned by private landowners, so if we don’t participate, there will be no true understanding of our aquifer health.


Click here for More information on the project:

https://aquiferalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10


Interested? I am and I hope you are. Let me know what you think. If you want to sign-up please respond. If you aren’t available to oversee measurement of your well during a visit, let me know the location of your well and how to access it, and I will personally be there for you during a USGS visit. I will not share gate codes/access etc .with anyone, so you remain in control.


We are in this water woe together, and we want enough water available for our children and grandchildren.


Thank you for your consideration. May God bless us all in this Holiday Season. Thank you for responding to my Holiday request.


Margo 830-460-1523, friendsofhondocanyon@gmail.com



Our grandfathers knew the value of water





Our grandfathers knew the value of water. And in the historic drought of 1950, landowners in Hondo Canyon who still had spring flow, opened their gates to neighbors who brought 1 gallon jugs, to fill. Neighbors supported neighbors.


Water Is a precious and limited resource in Texas. Let’s be mindful of what our grandfathers did.


The well at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area – a 2,000 acre park, is only producing 4,000 gallons a day (4.5 acre feet/year.) This is insufficient to supply visitors’ needs (7,000 gallons/d or 7.8 acre feet/year) . So bathrooms have been replaced with portapoties. Read the link below…


The Texas Hill Country has a legacy that must be upheld. We are rural, we depend on our neighbors, and It is time for us to all stand up and protest against egregious groundwater permit withdrawal requests that cannot be met by our fragile aquifers.


Our groundwater district needs our support to make difficult decisions regarding equitable distribution of this limited resource.


Thursday, January 16th at 10 AM, the Bandera Country Groundwater District will decide on whether to accept the non-binding assessment of the SOAH court – that Vanderpool Management in Sabinal Canyon filed a complete application and on this basis should be granted their request to withdraw 200 acre/feet of water per year. Yet, their proposed use – irrigation of steep, rocky land -might only support 20 acre/feet per year.


The Bandera Country River Authority and Groundwater district will make a judgment on how much water can be withdrawn from the aquifer during their meeting. How can you help?


First, remember Woody Allen."90% of success in life is just showing up”. We care, we show up.


Our elected board of the Bandera County Groundwater District needs to see that difficult decisions are supported by the community. Groundwater beneath your property is your right to capture. But what if there is evidence that the amount of groundwater you want to capture is not there? Shouldn’t the availability of water impact permitted withdrawals?


Can you attend? My husband is ill and I cannot attend. Would you be willing to read a statement for Friends of Hondo Canyon? Contact me at 830-460-1523 or email friendsofhondocanyon@gmail.com


Finally, Please be patient. If the Groundwater Board decides to delay their decision, know that your attendance, and your input, has made a difference.


Thank you for reading this, and I hope you can show your support by attending the meeting.


Rational use of groundwater will not happen without our support.


Margo


https://www.expressnews.com/hill-country/article/enchanted-rock-bathrooms-closed-water-conservation- 20011479



WHAT HAPPENED AT THE RECENT BCRAGD WATER MEETING







FRIENDS
OF
HONDO
CANYON




CONTACT US



24 VOTES TO KEEP



12 VOTES TO REMOVE



3 VOTES ABSTAINING



we began this journey because opinions, both against and for, were expressed about the sign at 470 & rio hondo rd.

strong opinions were given on both sides of the aisle.




Survey perimeters:

It was anonymous and open to PAID members only.
Votes were received from May 5 through May 15, 5:00pm.
Results would be published on the website.
Any resulting action will be taken by Memorial Day, May 27th.

Survey Dataset as of 05/05:

*In January 2024, 105 letters, applications were mailed to owners from information gathered at Bandera County Appraisal District via public records.
*A second request to join was mailed with the April Newsletter to non-members.
*93 properties are consistently tracked in RHPOA records.
Tracked is defined as * properties that regularly join POA, * have previously been members, or * have contacted, communicated POA.
Some owners have multiple plats.
Not all owners elect to engage with the POA.

*43 properties had paid dues.
*11 properties paid dues for one (1) member
*32 properties paid dues for two (2) or more members

*To date, there are 76 dues paying members. Some two-person households have elected to pay dues for one member resulting in the count of 76.



Owners have elected to join just to VOICE an opinion.


AS OF 5/15/24


*94 properties tracked.

*48 properties have paid dues

*14 properties paid dues for one member.

*34 properties paid dues for two or more members.


*To date, there are 83 members who have paid 2024 dues.



NUMBER OF VOTES CAST ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS:



5/5/24 - 14

5/6/24 - 11

5/7/24 - 2

5/8/24 - 0

5/9/24 - 6

5/410/24 - 0

5/11/24 - 2

5/12/24 - 3

5/13/24 - 0

5/14/24 - 0

5/15/24 - 1


TOTAL OF 39 VOTES CAST






A SUCCESSFUL WORK DAY, MAY 18TH



Although few in number, we did MIGHTY work. We met 7:30, Saturday morning at the park to clean up the area & signage at the entrance.



Cleaned up the landscaping (weed-eated, replaced flowers and pulled dead shrubs) & put out new landscaping rocks, painted the park railing.



We upgraded safety features at the bridge. Installed "Yield to oncoming traffic" signs as well as bright yellow and black caution sign wraps.

Also installed new solar lights at the fire substation.



FROM THE 2023 PRESIDENT, JAMES SKOGLUND TO OUR RHR FRIENDS







WHAT IS OAK WILT?



@TexasOakWilt.org


Oak Wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases. It is killing trees in central Texas, including RHR.



@Texas Forestry Service


Click on the "Oak Wilt" tab



Oak wilt is an infectious disease caused by the fungus, Bretziella fagacearum, which invades and disables the water-conducting system (xylem) in oaks.



All oaks can be infected by the fungus that causes oak wilt however, some oak species are affected more than others.



Whether you're new to the area or just getting to know your trees it's important to know the basics, and to know when to call in the professionals to protect your trees.



The successful management of Oak Wilt depends on correct diagnosis and an understanding of how the pathogen and different species interact.



COMING SOON IMPROVEMENTS TO RIO HONDO RANCH HELIPAD





RHR has a helipad located at the corner of Rio Hondo Road and Rio Hondo Loop. The property does not belong to RHR. The property owner allows the helipad to remain on his property without charge to the association. The Board of Directors entered into an agreement with Tarpley Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade the helipad. Cost will be shared equally between RHPOA and TVFD.


Upgrade includes – new perimeter landing lights that are night vision goggle compatible, new lighting on the strobe or beacon guide pole, solar charging panel to power lights, new windsock, & new reflective paint for landing.



Is all this necessary? Yes, it is.


TVFD worked with other area fire departments for the suggested upgrades. The perimeter lights are in disrepair and do not work all the time causing night landing to be hazardous. 65-70% of EMS helicopters now use NVG systems. The beacon is essential for pinpointing accuracy for landing. The current power source is an antiquated system of driving a truck on the pad, popping the hood and connecting the lights to the truck battery.


Do you wonder if it gets any use? Yes, it does.


The heliport is used 2-3 times a year for emergency response. Recently an ATV rolled over and pinned the driver underneath it for several hours. The driver survived because of the quick response by TVFD personnel and the medical evacuation helicopter that took the person to a San Antonio trauma hospital.


Does it cost the RHPO Association anything?


No, the property owner does not ask for anything in return for use of the land. Besides allowing us to use it, we’ve seen our benefactor mowing & maintaining the area as well. Kuddos to them!!!!


What if I have an emergency?


Medical evacuation by helicopter is a very real possibility due to our remoteness. These services are not covered under a normal homeowner policy or car insurance. The cost can be tens of thousands of dollars and is usually billed to the evacuee. TVFD strongly suggests you investigate buying a membership to a medical transport service, so you will not be burdened with the high cost of life saving evacuation.


MASA - https://www.masamts.com


2023 TARPLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT LABOR DAY PARADE, BBQ PICNIC, AUCTIONS & RAFFLE WAS A SUCCESS

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR A VERY NECESSARY SERVICE FOR HONDO CANYON WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE RIO HONDO RANCH SUBDIVISION

GREAT TO SEE OLD FRIENDS AND MEET NEW HOMEOWNERS



PARADE STARTED AT 11:00 AM


FIREFIGHTERS & TRUCKS FROM NEIGHBORING TOWNS

WERE IN ATTENDENCE

ALONG WITH

HORSES, CLASSIC CARS, & FLOATS





BBQ BRISKET LUNCH WAS SERVED
INCLUDING BEANS, POTATOE SALAD,
BBQ SAUCE, BREAD, PICKLES, ONIONS
& JALAPENOS

TEA AND HOMEMADE DESSERT

WHAT'S GOOD BBQ WITHOUT THE YUMMY DESSERT?


THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PROVIDED DESSERT & VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE AT THE
TEA, DESSERT BOOTHS


fund raising included a silent auction,

live auction &

anouncement of winning raffle tickets

family fun EVENTS

bounce houses
snow cone machine
kid's ACTIVITY tent





VALET TRASH BANDERA IS SERVING
RIO HONDO SUBDIVISION



CONTACT MELINDA @ 830-767-0011


WWW.VALETTRASHBANDERA.COM


EMAIL

Valettrashbandera@gmail.com


FOR SERVICES & PRICES



STAY CONNECTED...................NO, NOT THE OLD FASHION WAY




go to tarpley volunteer fire department website

sign up for email alerts for area notices

notices are tvfd related - road closures, weather warnings, etc.

use the contact button and join

you can opt in or opt out anytime

https://tarpleyvfd.org/contact

questions or concerns contact
richard mcdonald, tvfd secretary from the website
or email r.mcdonald@tarpleyvfd.org





Are you or your guests trespassing on private property?



Few people know that access to the lake at the entrance of Rio Hondo Ranches is private property.


Although waters in Texas are “public”, to access the lake one must trespass on private property. Individuals own the property East, West & South of the creek. The Rio Hondo Property Owners Association owns property on the Northwest side.


The only legal access to the lake is through the Rio Hondo Property Owners Association’s park. In order to use the park for access one must be a MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING of the association.


Bandera Constable Chalmers is aware that people are trespassing on private property to get on the lake. He has advised the Board that he will investigate and take appropriate action under the law.


The RHPOA Board does not want property owners of the subdivision to be subject to costly fines. If you are not a member, please become one. Membership dues are only $50.00 a year and help the association pay the electricity bills for the firehouse, taxes, insurance and other upkeep and improvements to the subdivision.


To become a member: Contact James Skoglund, President of the Rio Hondo Property Owners Association, at 713-569-3537 or click the “Contact Me” button on the Homepage. We will email you the application.


Board of Directors Rio Hondo Property Owners Association






UPDATES to the RHPOA Board and Membership, May 2020



We are pleased to announce James Skoglund has graciously accepted an appointment to the RHPOA Board of Directors.


James will serve as President.

Remaining members will keep their positions:

Name removed at request of - Vice President

Carol Maloney - Secretary

Amy Rushing - Treasurer

Lisa Ward - Special Projects Liaison and Website Administrator



THANK YOU JAMES FOR ANSWERING OUR CALL FOR SERVICE


Membership letters, applications and reminder emails have been sent out.


Presently there are 52 full members and 2 associate members.


Please consider joining the Property Owner's Association. We are here to serve and assist our neighbors. We are stronger together.


Upcoming POA projects include:

*additional security measures for the Ranch

*obtaining bids for road work on North Loop

*beautification - improvements to the Ranch entrance, Fire House, park area



ROAD WORK IS UNDERWAY by
BANDERA ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT



bandera will be working on all county maintained roads inside rio hondo ranches



2020 Member
Applications





Coming to your mailbox





Dear Property Owner,


Sorry we missed some of you at the ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING held December 14, 2019 at the Tarpley School House. We had a nice get together with current owners in Rio Hondo Ranches and also met new owners to the area while enjoying a great Pot-Luck lunch.


We highlighted 2019 business that the Board of Directors had undertaken on owners’ behalf, such as:


• RHPOA WEBSITE http://riohondoranch.com

• ICE CREAM SOCIAL – MAY 2019

• NEW FLAGS AT THE FIRE HOUSE & WIND SOCK AT THE HELIPORT

• PARK BEAUTIFICATION

• PRESENTATION AT BANDERA COUNTY COMMISIONERS COURT

• ROAD REPAIR • SIERRA VISTA ROAD WORK

• SECURITY CONCERNS – decals, cameras


We welcomed Amy Rushing to the Board of Directors while saying good-bye to Neely Ashmun and Tracy Cashaw.


Unfortunately, we still have an open seat on the Board. If you’d like to volunteer to serve on the Board please use the “CONTACT ME” button on the website’s home page. If no one else volunteers the Board of Directors will meet to appoint someone to the empty position.


The 2020 Membership Application will be mailed in January.

Please complete the application and return it with your check payable to RHPOA by March 31, 2020.


As an added security measure we are providing 3 RHR decals to all property owners. We ask that you place a decal on the right front window of your car, truck, RV or ATV. The decals will help us to identify neighbors. We are limiting 3 per property until all owners have received their decals.


Sincerely,

Carol Maloney

Amy Rushing

Lisa Ward




Did you know that you MUST notify
Bandera County and complete an BANDERA COUNTY BURN REGISTRATION to burn?

https://www.banderacounty.org/

Please call Bandera County Dispatch @ 830-796-4507



SIERRA VISTA ROADWORK





M & P CONSTRUCTION OF BANDERA, TX

WILL BEGIN WORKING ON SIERRA VISTA TO BLADE

THE ROAD AND STABILIZE LOW WATER CROSSINGS

AREA PROPERTY OWNERS ADJACENT TO THE ROAD FUNDED THIS MUCH NEEDED WORK


RHPOA WILL BE ASKING M & P FOR A BID TO STABILIZE, BLADE AND CORRECT THE NORTH LOOP WHERE SPRING RAINS MADE THE LOOP ALMOST IMPASSABLE





WELCOME to the BOARD
for 2019





NEELY ASHMUN - PRESIDENT

Name removed at request of VICE PRESIDENT

TRACY CASHAW - TREASURER

CAROL MALONEY - SECRETARY

LISA WARD - SPEC PROJECTS LIAISON

WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR


PLEASE SEE AREA EVENTS PAGE FOR BOARD MEETING DATES AND DETAILS



MORE INFORMATION TO COME





TREASURER'S REPORT WAS GIVEN ON THE 2018 BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES AND APPROVED.

2019 BUDGET OF $6,600.00 WAS APPROVED BY ATTENDEES.


WE WILL SHARE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING PROJECTS, PROPERTY OWNER'S CONCERNS & BOARD PROGRESS HERE ON THE WEBSITE.





INFORMATION IS POWER



HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BANDERA COUNTY "I INFO" ???

Stay on top of the latest official information provided by county resources.

GO TO www.banderacounty.org

(left side tab) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

click on the button - STRAN

SOUTH-CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL ALERT NETWORK

AREA RESIDENTS COMMUNICATIONS "ARC" REGISTRY

The mass notification registry is another tool available to alert the public to emergency situations. STAY INFORMED… use all the resources.

As a reminder, local television and radio, NOAA Weather Radio, outdoor warning sirens, and other warning systems are still your primary sources for immediate emergency information.

GET REGISTERED FOR BANDERA COUNTY UPDATES, TEXTS, INFORMATION



bandera county commissioners vote NO



Although a strong presentation was given to include Sierra Vista Road as part of Bandera County Road Maintenance responsibility -

YOUR COMMISSIONER VOTED NO


WHY AREN'T OUR VOICES BEING HEARD? WE PAY TAXES!!

HOW CAN WE GET MORE VOCAL ABOUT ALL OF OUR ROAD ISSUES?


President James Skoglund and a Sierra Vista property owner made an appearance at the Bandera

County Commissioners Court to make another appeal to their common sense and their sense of duty to

TAX PAYING CONSTITUENTS living here in Rio Hondo Ranches. The gentlemen presented a compelling

case as to ‘Why Bandera County is responsible for the repair and upkeep of Sierra Vista”. They gave a

concise and informative presentation containing: history of the road, maps as evidence of their argument

and lastly (DRUM ROLL, please) a favorable court opinion found in the Texas court records

and authored by former Attorney General Greg Abbott that says “services cannot be discontinued to a

previously accepted, maintained and implied county-owned road without due process”.

We just received word that this matter will be placed on the agenda for an upcoming September County Commissioners Court meeting. GREAT JOB GENTLEMEN


Please visit the Bandera County website to find dates and times of upcoming meetings. http://www.banderacounty.org/departments/CommissionerCourt.htm




2018 announcements



paving at BRIDGE & PARK
is complete





BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE & THANK YOU to everyone that answered the call by donating to the maintenance. We couldn't have done it without you!!


MAY 2018 - RHPOA Board members sent a letter to ALL RH property owners in May requesting monetary donations for the repair and maintenance of the road into the subdivision between the signs ‘County Maintenance Ends’ and ‘County Maintenance Begins’ (mainly the section before and after the bridge) and repaving the road encircling the fire station and park - we've had a "HEALTHY" response to our request. If you haven't donated yet, please

re-consider. Any and every amount is WELCOME!!


If you'd like us to re-send the letter to you via email, just contact me through the site and I'll get it right over to you.


TO THOSE OWNERS WHO HAVE DONATED, YOUR POA BOARD MEMBERS THANK YOU IMMENSELY FOR HELPING TO MAINTAIN OUR LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH.



upcoming openings on the poa board





2019 - There will be 3 openings on the Rio Hondo Property Owners Association Board of Directors due to limits on terms of service. Leaving the board will be:

James Skoglund - President

A'Lana D. Welch - Treasurer

DeeDee Skoglund - Secretary


PLEASE CONSIDER SERVING THE RHPOA


"Nah, I'm sure my neighbor will do it... I don't have enough time. I'm not really the 'Board' type of person...Oh it sounds too social for me...Why should I?"


If we do not maintain a Board of Directors and cannot continue the day to day management of the fire station, park and surrounding areas - WE COULD LOSE THEM


Just think about the statement.


What could this mean to me?

  • Longer times for emergency responses to our community.
  • Property could be sold and we will have no input if the buyer decides to build a "McMansion" - ruining the beautiful views surrounding the entrance to our properties, blocking access to the water, and tearing up the park.
  • Increase in taxes associated w/ increase in property values.


dues to rhpoa





December 2017, at the Property Owners Association meeting held at the Tarpley Community Center, the members voted to increase the

FULL Member fee from $20.00 to $50.00 per member while the Associate Member Fee would remain at $20.00.


The increase in fees has been well received by most members.


We have several members that didn't receive word of the increase and renewed at the 2017 rate of $20.00. A'Lana is attempting to contact those folks and correct the deficiency since only FULL members can vote on POA business.


We have some members that this increase is a financial hardship. President, James Skoglund has asked that they contact him personally to see if some form of assistance can be offered.


We have several members would did not like the increase and have opted to not renew & remove themselves from the benefits of the association.


If you know someone who declined to renew their membership, please chat with them. The Board would like them back so that we can be of service to all of the Rio Hondo Ranches community.





did you know ?????





That people have been working behind the scenes to maintain and repair Rio Hondo Ranches?


  1. The railing along the bridge was damaged by a vehicle accident and has been repaired.
  2. Broken-down mailbox posts have been replaced.
  3. The debris left by the heavy May rains has been cleared.
  4. The park and surrounding areas have been mowed. Trees trimmed and overall appearance improved.
  5. Property owners that line Sierra Vista have been contacted to contribute to repair of the road. A bid for work was received and work has been scheduled for the fall.

  6. Although Bandera County continues to claim it does not have the budget resources for road work in Rio Hondo Ranches, the persistent inquiries and continued conversations by board members have finally got them to commit to listing our area roads on their 2019 repair/ maintenance schedule. Cross your fingers!!




Disclaimer: This website is a bulletin board for neighborly announcements, area concerns for the Rio Hondo Ranches, Tarpley, TX. Posting to this website does not constitute an endorsement by the Rio Hondo POA or its members. Website postings do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the website information is strictly at your own risk. This website is not a public opinion forum. Please use applications such as Facebook, Yelp and Twitter for that purpose. Submitting a posting to this site conveys that you agree that Website Administrator has the right of refusal to post and you will hold harmless the administrator.



RIO HONDO RANCHES TARPLEY,TX