By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer

(Dec. 1, 2022) The Ocean Pines Environment and Natural Assets Committee is continuing to work on a project that’ll restore vegetative buffers to the South Pond to counteract continued erosion along its shoreline.

“We’re waiting on (Delaware firm) Solitude Lake Management to give us a call,” committee chair Sharon Santacroce said. “We’re optimistic about moving forward with this project once we can get a plan in place.”

She added that the firm should help them design a plan for the buffers and they’re optimistic despite a slower pace.

Educational signs for the pond off Route 90 are also in the works, Santacroce said. Committee member Patricia Gambi is spearheading that project, which will consist of signs around the ponds to inform people of the local flora and fauna.

“A number of people walk, jog and bike around that area,” Santacroce said. “This is part of what (former committee chair) Ken Wolf envisioned.”

Sticking with signs, Santacroce said that the committee is working on putting up duck and geese crossing signs around the community — namely places like Route 589, Cathell Road and along Ocean Parkway. They’re working to figure out what they’ll need to do.

“Most people here are aware of the (waterfowl crossing) but we have a lot of out-of-towners in the spring and summer (who might not be aware),” Santacroce said.

The committee is also trying to remedy a situation where turtles on the South Pond were effectively evicted after their sunbathing log was removed to accommodate a nearby helicopter landing.

“When trees were removed for a Maryland State Police helicopter to land … (here), they removed a lot of trees and pulled that one right out of the water,” Santacroce said. “Hopefully, (the Department of ) Public Works can put a new log to make the residents happy, so they can enjoy the turtles again. A lot of people spend time there and they were disappointed when the log was removed.

“The turtles are residents, too. That may sound silly but it’s important to the people who live here.”

The Environment and Natural Assets Committee will meet next in January.