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Cutting down cedar trees, to increase ground water supplies, a controversial state program, was approved Monday, even though some environmental experts warn the program could cause more harm than good.

The Water Supply Enhancement Program, once known as the State Brush Control Plan, was finalized by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. The agency set new rules on how to tap into grant money. They've been working on this since 2011 after the drought took hold across the state and a series of legislative hearings in Austin were held. Under the plan ranchers and water districts apply for financial assistance to clear land thats primarily located over aquifer recharge areas.

According to the TSSWCB Strategic Plan, the Legislation requires a feasibility study with a computer model predicting water yield expectations to be completed prior to considering approval of a project. Additionally, a requirement for project creation to be initiated through a competitive application process was implemented, as well as a requirement for the agency to make the balance between expected water yield and relative water conservation need ( to be included in ) the primary factor in choosing which projects to ultimately approve and initiate.

Critics of the plan, however, argue the idea is misguided. There are doubts that clearing brush can increase ground water levels, and there is concern the practice will lead to future soil erosion problems as well as eliminate habitat for endangered birds.

Agency spokesman Aaron Wendt pointed out that the plan does not allow for clear cutting, and proper land management practices will have to be followed.

Smaller brush control programs are already in place in Texas. Three years ago, city council members in Horseshoe Bay approved a plan to clear away the heavy brush that had grown up in that community. The plan was mostly about fire-prevent, but improving ground water availability was also part of the sales pitch to city residents.

Since 2011 when the program started more than 5,000 cedar and dead trees have been cleared from undeveloped lots in Horseshoe Bay. Not only have they reduced the fuel that can increase the wildfire threat, it's believed the project is helping hardwood trees survive like oaks and elms.

Some researchers claim a mature cedar tree can soak up 33 gallons of water a day. The Horseshoe Bay brush removal plan costs about $50,000 a year. Current and former city leaders and residents, like Danny Ferguson, agree the Horseshoe Bay program has been successful.

"I feel like its helped ... we need to conserve all the water we can do, cause we're in a definite drought, said Ferguson.

Grants awards, under the New Water Supply Enhancement Program, may be issued in September. The amount and number after that will be determined by funding that is allocated to the TSSWCB during the next Legislative Session.

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Cedar tree removal program to increase water supply up for vote

A family of five is temporarily homeless following a fire that was caused by a lightning strike at their home Sunday night.

Newmanstown, Richland's Neptune and Myerstown's Keystone and Goodwill fire companies and Newmanstown ambulance were dispatched at 7:54 p.m. to 128 Sweetwater Lane. Firefighters found the roof on fire.

"It was pretty much dead center of the roof," Newmanstown Fire Chief Scott Wolfe said. "(Fire) got into the void of space in the roof and really took off. We had to pull the (second-floor) ceiling off first to get in there."

There were no injuries.

The family included two adults and three children.

Wolfe estimated damage in excess of $60,000, with most of the damage to the second floor and roof.

Some firefighters remained on the scene until about midnight.

Crews were sent out for a reburn at 10:31 a.m. Monday. All but Newmanstown firefighters were released 10 minutes later.

ODOR OF SMOKE >> Bunker Hill, Ono and Jonestown's Perseverance fire companies responded at 2:58 p.m. Monday to Jonestown Health Center, 100 E. Queen St.

SPILL CONTROL >> Union Water Works responded at 2 p.m. Monday to Russell Drive and Hill Church Road.

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Police log: Family driven from home by lightning-fired blaze

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$285,000 - 1129 Oakwood Circle, Keller, TX 76248
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$285,000 - 1129 Oakwood Circle, Keller, TX 76248 - Video

Stellar Homes Group- 1 NW 24th St Delray Beach, FL 33444
Brand new renovations throughout this beautiful home. Great floor plan and oversized lot. Move in Ready! 1.5 miles from trendy downtown Delray and the beaches. Situated near the intersection...

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There are fears poachers are operating in Coventry after a severed deers leg was found in woodland in Tile Hill.

The gruesome discovery was made after the limb was dragged out of the woods by a visitors dog in Tile Hill Wood nature reserve, between Hawthorn Lane and Banner Lane.

A notice from Coventry City Council has since appeared at the site urging anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to contact the police and the RSPCA.

Graham Hood, head of Streetpride and Greenspace for the council, said: Incidents of poaching in Coventry are extremely rare.

Nationally the problem has increased in recent years, but fortunately in Coventry it is not something we have suffered from.

The incident which occurred in Tile Hill Woods was reported to us by a member of the public and we have responded to that accordingly.

We have been in touch with the police and our rangers will be keeping a close eye on the woods.

In other areas of the country it has been known for poachers to butcher an animal on site and that appears to have been the case here.

We do get deer in a number of our woods, particularly Tile Hill, and we are keen to encourage them and protect them as we are any wildlife.

If anyone sees anything suspicious or is concerned that poaching may be going on in their area, then they should contact the police.

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Severed animal leg found in Coventry woodland

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) July 30, 2014

Centura Tile (http://www.Centura.ca), North Americas premier distributor of both residential and commercial floor and wall fashions, is announcing three of the most prominent trends in flooring and overall interior design in Toronto.

As one of the premier tile distributors in Toronto, Centura Tile is always current and in touch with what homeowners want for their homes, says Ross Keltie, vice president of sales and marketing at Centura Tile. Its always good to know whats hot within our industry because thats generally what homeowners are going to ask for, and being able to deliver on a certain tile arrangement or carpet pattern that a customer requests is crucial to sustaining quality services.

One of the current trends is actually an old trend: retro. Keltie says to think white bathrooms; this is the type of nostalgic feel people are requesting when renovating spaces within their home. He adds that another very popular trend right now is the use of tile that resembles weathered wood, which creates both a retro feel and a classic and cozy living space.

Another trend that has become evident is homeowners becoming much more attentive to detail. Maybe its all these home improvement shows, Keltie jokes. But in all seriousness, homeowners are getting very specific with how they want everything in their house to look. Theyre confident enough now to tell us as the flooring company that they want colourful glass liners accenting white tile, but this wasnt always the case.

The final trend that is becoming popular is glamour. Keltie notes that people crave that feeling of luxury and of standing out, and can work with Centura Tile to design a glass mosaic wall that will create a glamorous, one-of-a-kind look for their bathroom.

But while its good to keep up with all the trends, being a tile distributor in Toronto means accommodating a variety of styles and tastes that reflect the many cultures of the GTA, Keltie concludes. At Centura Tile, we use our experience to meet and exceed the product and design expectations of our customers.

Centura Tile is the premier distributor of both residential and commercial floor and wall fashions throughout North America. Founded in 1933, Centura Tile has grown from a single location in Toronto to 14 locations coast-to-coast; each with a full showroom and warehousing facilities. Each Centura Tile location carries an extensive range of floor and wall products, such as ceramic tile, porcelain, mosaics, stone, vinyl, rubber, carpet, laminate, and hardwood from leading manufacturers around the world. Centura Tile also has the most complete range of accessory products to complement any installation, including bases, treads, mortar, grout, engineered cements, adhesives, trim systems, and tools. To learn more about Centura Tile, visit the companys web site at http://www.Centura.ca or call 1-416-785-5151.

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Centura Tile, Canadas Premier Distributor of Floor and Wall Fashions, Announces New Trends in Flooring and Interior ...

TORONTO, CANADA - Finding misplaced keys, wallets and purses could get easier with new apps that take the guess work out of trying to remember where they might be.

Tile, an app for iPhones, can track wallets, cars and even pets with small battery-powered plastic tags that show where the lost item is on a map on the smartphone and emit a noise to locate it more easily.

"With all of the technology around us, it's still crazy to think that we still lose our things," said Nick Evans, chief executive office of Tile, based in San Mateo, California.

Using bluetooth technology the app tracks the location of the missing item within up 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 meters). If it is lost outside the range, its last location will be displayed.

The app also uses crowdsourcing so if other Tile app users come within range of a lost item the location is updated for the owner.

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Always misplacing things? These apps can help find them

PVC pipe join for sprinkler system - primer on small tasks
This video shows how to join PVC fittings like a T or a Drain valve to a PVC pipe. We sart by cleaning both sides of the joing with PVC cleaner from Oatey an...

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PVC pipe join for sprinkler system - primer on small tasks - Video

My sprinkler system showing zones and sprinklers with parts list under $200
Below is the part list I used for 3 zones which water grass, flower beds, and a hedge of Green Thuja trees PVC pipe 10 ft PVC pipe 5 ft Orbitz 18...

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My sprinkler system showing zones and sprinklers with parts list under $200 - Video