By Greg Ellison

(Oct. 8, 2020) The Ocean Pines Environment and Natural Assets Committee met outdoors last Wednesday at the White Horse Park Pavilion for a socially-distanced discussion of the work it oversees.

Director of Amenities and Operational Logistics Colby Phillips updated committee members on work to eradicate Phragmites australis, or common reeds, in the field adjacent to the Swim and Racquet Club.

“They started spraying last week and everything should be complete by Oct. 9,” she said.

Phillips said after spraying is completed, the dead reeds would be removed to eliminate root systems.

Chairman Ken Wolf said more information is being sought on potential water pollution from geese that regularly gather at the South Gate Pond and two smaller North Gate ponds.

“We don’t want to casually kill the geese,” he said. “We want to understand what the impact of the goose droppings is on the three bodies of water.”

Wolf said board liaison Tom Janasek has been asked to consult with Assateague Coastal Trust and seek board approval to conduct water testing on the ponds.

Wolf said several committee members are wildlife advocates committed to pursuing humane treatment of migratory geese.

Turning to waterway concerns, Wolf said the committee has been urging board members to work in conjunction with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program on environmental conservation.

“The challenge always was that the directors here were spectators to the environment,” he said. “We never used our critical mass to try to influence events.”

Wolf said since Ocean Pines is the largest waterfront community in Worcester County, the importance of addressing environmental issues is increased.

“The only reason this community is here is because of the water,” he said. “It could have been located 50 miles inland and would have been cheaper.”

Wolf said although earlier efforts to encourage board members to attend Coastal Bays Program meetings met with varying success, the level of engagement has improved recently.

“We’re very blessed now that we have board engagement,” he said.

Wolf credited both Janasek, who previously served as environment committee chairman, and Phillips, who is a member of the Coastal Bays Board of Directors, for keeping the lines of communication open.

“We think we’re making progress, but that’s something we always want to do,” he said. “How can we influence events in this county for the benefit of this water?”

The committee also discussed pending work to upgrade mailboxes in need of repair.

Wolf said committee member Paul Fohner raised the concern about numerous mailboxes in subpar condition several years earlier.

Phillips said General Manager John Viola is working with team members on a number of long-range priorities, including mailbox improvements.

While initial progress was made last year, more recently Phillips and Director of Public Works Eddie Wells revived the project.

“Eddie Wells and I drove around to every single mailbox cluster,” she said.

The multi-day inspection focused on evaluating which mailboxes, as well as pads and posts, require repair or replacement.

“They all need to be power washed and cleaned,” she said.

Phillips will present data to Viola later this month to prioritize needs.

“A lot of the mailbox units themselves were in pretty good shape,” she said. “We’re seeking pricing for structures with dim lighting, because if there’s houses around we don’t want to blast everybody.”