New Subdivisions And Golf Courses

[Guest kevinkirk]

I cannot believe the utter rape of the landscape for the new subdivisions around Branson. Tearing down all the oaks and other trees, planting cool season grasses that take a lot of water and more and more pavement which means more runoff of auto chemicals etc. into the streams.

I toured several of the new subs with golf courses and they all are tearing out the natural landscape and making it all open. So more runoff etc. What a shame as it sure changes the natural beauty of the Ozarks. I hate that.

[Zack Hoyt]

It is sad. I work in the industry and wish there was more being done to replace if something is tore down.

One route alot of city's are taking are stricter zoning regs. This will not fully aleviate the problem, but it does cut down on the amount of subdivisions that go tree less.

Also on a side note, you would be suprised how little of the water runoff is actually affected by auto chemicals and such. most of it is filtered naturally unless there is an over abundance of direct runoff(mechanics shop, parts store, etc.)

[Guest kevinkirk]

I also have worked as a civil engineer so understand runoff more than most. UNBELIEVABLE amount of chemicals in the runoff. THe average homeowner puts on over 100 times as much fertilizer and pesticides as a farmer. It all ends up in the waterways.

On another note, what do you do in the industry? PM me if you want to chat some. I will be looking to use my skills once I get there. Used to desgn subdivisions mainly.

[Zack Hoyt]

I am in the Civil Engineering business as well. Don't do much work in Branson, but have done some here and there. Mostly here in NW Ark. I have a few subdivisions under my belt, but mainly transportation work......so yes, I make money off asphalt. No engineer here though, I have a drafting degree(I do most of the work with none of the liability). Good luck in SWMO. That is a severely growing market. There are some great firms over that way.

[Guest kevinkirk]

Well that was a cold comment. Just like the hills and trees and not that KANSAS look you are getting there by tearing it all down.

[Guest kevinkirk]

I can still remember Branson when Jim Lanes cabin sat on 76 hwy on the west end of town. That was many years ago. Does anyone know what happened to it> It was there close to celebration city.

I just cannot believe that they tear the mountains clear down to do all that. Of course, you have benefited from the money that flows in there too. Lots of jobs and taxes brought in with sales etc. Has to help the county and city. The first time we came, over 40 yrs ago, I think Shepherd of the Hills was free. hah.

And SDC was tiny little place with no rides. Just the main square. And yes things change. Just sad in many ways and it affects the water quallity so much. ALl those parking lots, asphalt oil, car drippings, food wastes, dog poop, and other human activities drains right into the lakes and streams.

Table rock isnot near as clear as 20 yrs ago when i dove it. Too much fertilizer on yards and golf courses and septic tanks leaking slowly into the ground and ddown to the lakes. Its just the way it is.

I just bought a lot myself so I guess I am part of the problem not too.

[Guest kevinkirk]

ALSO, does anyone know the story on Indian RIdge the big development west of branson out at branson west on the lake side of 76hwy?

I heard it was bankrupt?

[denjac]

Kevin, I dont know whats going on there either. It looked idle to me all summer. I feel they went belly up. Looks like a strip mine there with bare hills and valleys. The back of big Indian turns red now when it rains due to clay runoff. I hope someone can get it and repair all the damage.

[Guest kevinkirk]

You need to turn that in to the EPA and other ppl there. THAT is so against the law to let runoff leave a construction site. I mean its a huge fine.

kk

[Guest kevinkirk]

http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/pmnr/pmnr07-02.htm

I would do it but I have no first hand knowledge of the actual runoff. If someone does, they need to get it stopped.

k