Every community should conduct extensive location research.  The most important criteria is the availability of good water, via rainwater and groundwater. Another criterion is to avoid areas where natural gas fracking is going on. We have conducted extensive research in the areas of central and eastern Texas in particular, but this information will not be made public. 

Below are some of the details to consider in your own location research.  We have looked at these criteria as well as many others. 

General Location Elements

  ·      Proximity to major cities

  ·      Elevation

  ·     USDA Hardiness zones

  ·      Freeze zones

  ·      Various rainfall maps

  ·      Solar maps

  ·      Wind Class maps

  ·      Geothermal locations

  ·      Inland hurricane paths

  ·      Tornado risk, severity and frequency

  ·      Oil and gas drilling

  ·      Earthquakes and other miscellaneous items

Looking at each of these criteria allowed us to select the best for each of them, and see if there were any overlaps. We then focused on further details, particularly water and soil:

Specific Location Elements

  ·      Dominant Soil orders

  ·      Land resource map

  ·      Vegetation types

  ·      Drought vulnerable soils

  ·      Major and minor aquifers and water sources

  ·      Projected future water shortages

  ·      Water well measurements

  ·      Local air pollution

We will not publish specific property research information on the public area of the web site. The reasons for this should be obvious. The process involves general research as above, and then going into greater detail in the locations which are acceptable. Land for sale within those areas is examined, and those properties which do not meet local criteria are excluded. A list of acceptable properties is formed, and the local group should visit them and learn more, and ultimately vote on a particular property.

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