By Greg Ellison

(June 3, 2021) The following topics were discussed during the Ocean Pines Environmental & Natural Assets Committee meeting on May 26:

Route 90 pond

Committee Chairman Ken Wolf said members are consulting with Maryland Coastal Bays Program officials to find ways to enhance a scarcely used pond tucked away in the woods behind the Ocean Pines Library.

“We had asked the Maryland Coastal Bays to come down and take a look at the Route 90 pond,” he said.

Located just south of Route 90, the Off Shore Lake is roughly half the size of the adjacent South Gate Pond.

“It would be great if we could enhance and expand that little bit of wilderness,” he said.

Committee members, who preempted an inspection of the wilderness pond by Coastal Bays staff, reported favorable impressions after surveying the site.

“It’s totally tree-covered and it’s got a nice meandering path around the pond,” he said.

Wolf said what improvements might be advisable has yet to be determined.

“It’s got a tremendous fish population,” he said.

Despite the ample stock, an abundance of submerged vegetation typically frustrates anglers during summer, Wolf said.

“It’s got turtles out there sunning themselves,” he said.

An initial suggestion is working with Coastal Bays to install basking platforms to provide prime sunning areas for turtles or other wildlife.

Wolf said committee members plan to visit the area with Coastal Bay officials to further assess the possibilities.

Waterway pollution

The committee is developing a fresh means of outreach to residents to help reduce adding pollutants to waterways.

“We also responded to a letter the association received from a resident claiming to witness people shooting grass clippings into the canal,” he said.

Wolf said members vetted a draft version of an advisory letter intended for an upcoming Ocean Pines newsletter.

“We’re hoping to also remind people that fertilizing [lawns] within 10 feet of the water is not good,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of properly disposing of canine waste is another goal.

Wolf, who stressed that proper treatment of canal waters is vital, has witnessed troubling abuses in the past.

“I had somebody across for my canal that had dogs and they just threw it right in the canal,” he said.

No feed signs

Progress is continuing on developing better signs to discourage people from feeding the flock of resident Canada geese at the South Gate Pond.

“We are closing on the geese signs,” he said. “We’ve got a basic proof of the script.”

The language recommended by the Environmental Committee asks to “help conserve wildlife in their natural habitat.”

The text also states, “feeding geese, ducks and wild animals can cause the following harmful effects: overcrowding, poor nutrition, spread of disease, unnatural behavior, pollution, delayed migration, safety concerns and dependency on humans.”

Canada geese, nests and eggs, are protected under federal law by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits capturing or killing except during legal hunting seasons.

Wolf said while there are basic “no feed” signs at the South Gate Pond, nothing exists at two smaller ponds at the North Gate.

“We wanted to put more script in it so people would understand you’re not doing the geese good, you’re doing them harm,” he said.

Wolf said the advisory committee is hoping the OPA will concur with the suggestion to develop language to show the importance of not altering the eating habits of wildlife.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources attributes the increase of non-migratory Canada geese in the region to the release of decoy flocks and stocking programs conducted during the 1930s.

The goal is to install highly visible educational plaques.

“We want the people that are feeding the geese to realize they are doing them harm,” he said.

Wolf said raising community awareness could “motivate a little peer pressure if they see people feeding.”