The preservation of White Pond continues to be a high priority for both the residents and the Town of Concord. Recent developments include these positive, concrete steps to ensure the health of this fragile eco-system.
* We welcome back our two summer rangers from last year, Roan Callahan and Brendan Burke, who will monitor Sachem's Cove and educate visitors about the need for rerouting trails and swimming restrictions. Last summer, Roan and Brendan, working with the Town Department of Natural Resources and volunteers constructed temporary erosion controls on the most serious erosion sites. The Town has also hired two conservation crew members to monitor other conservation areas which have also seen increased use.
* The Department of Natural Resources is currently working on a proposal for permanent erosion controls on town owned land which will be implemented in 2017. This project is funded by a Community Preservation Committee grant of $166,000 to plan, design and install an effective system of erosion control of the fragile slopes around Sachem's Cove.
* The DNR is working with the EPA on a cyanobacteria water monitoring program to gather more data about the water quality and to identify more clearly the sources of phosphorous and nitrogen in the water.
* The DNR is also working with the state and private land owners to build a retaining wall at the White Pond Associates Beach and to repair the infiltration system at the access road. These two actions will reduce the storm run-off into the pond.
While there is more work to be done, these actions are an example of the power of working together as a community to respond to town wide issues.
We would like to thank the town of Concord, town officials, the White Pond Advisory Committee, citizens activists and volunteers for recognizing the value of White Pond to the entire community and for their efforts to ensure that this natural resource will be enjoyed by not only this generation but future generations as well.
* We welcome back our two summer rangers from last year, Roan Callahan and Brendan Burke, who will monitor Sachem's Cove and educate visitors about the need for rerouting trails and swimming restrictions. Last summer, Roan and Brendan, working with the Town Department of Natural Resources and volunteers constructed temporary erosion controls on the most serious erosion sites. The Town has also hired two conservation crew members to monitor other conservation areas which have also seen increased use.
* The Department of Natural Resources is currently working on a proposal for permanent erosion controls on town owned land which will be implemented in 2017. This project is funded by a Community Preservation Committee grant of $166,000 to plan, design and install an effective system of erosion control of the fragile slopes around Sachem's Cove.
* The DNR is working with the EPA on a cyanobacteria water monitoring program to gather more data about the water quality and to identify more clearly the sources of phosphorous and nitrogen in the water.
* The DNR is also working with the state and private land owners to build a retaining wall at the White Pond Associates Beach and to repair the infiltration system at the access road. These two actions will reduce the storm run-off into the pond.
While there is more work to be done, these actions are an example of the power of working together as a community to respond to town wide issues.
We would like to thank the town of Concord, town officials, the White Pond Advisory Committee, citizens activists and volunteers for recognizing the value of White Pond to the entire community and for their efforts to ensure that this natural resource will be enjoyed by not only this generation but future generations as well.