Preserve White Pond Initiative
History and background
White Pond is a valuable natural resource for the Town of Concord. Thoreau called it Walden's "twin" and celebrated its crystal clear waters. One of Concord's six town wells (source of Town drinking water) is located just 1000 feet from the Pond; two other wells are located not far away. The Town is the biggest landowner on White Pond and is responsible for about one fourth of its shoreline.
This is a crucial time in the life of White Pond, its natural environment and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Town acquired the land in 1992 with private help with the primary purpose of conservation. "No Swimming" signs were posted by the director of the DNR but never enforced. The Pond quickly became a free, unregulated "swimming hole," publicized on the Internet, visible on Google maps, and drawing people from all over the greater Boston area. The Town's fragile cove became a litter-strewn destination spot and an alternative to nearby (and often full) Walden Pond.
Since 1992 the White Pond Advisory Committee (WPAC) has submitted comprehensive management plans to the Town Manager and Select Board for the Town to implement via the Division of Natural Resources (DNR). Today there is still no management program in effect. Over two decades of neglect, overuse and abuse has resulted in the erosion of the shoreline and the pollution of the Pond.
This summer the Pond reached a tipping point. For the first time in its history, White Pond was closed to swimming due to an outbreak of toxic algae (cyanobacteria). Toxic algae is dangerous to people and pets. It is a warning symptom of premature, human-caused eutrophication ("pond death").
In his eye-opening 2014 book Walden Warming, Boston University biologist Richard Primack concludes, "The effects of climate change are already here in Concord, right now."
How will our generation respond?
Divided we fall
At the heart of this problem is the fact that the Town land is split into Conservation Land and Reservation Land. Conservation Land is managed by Concord's Division of Natural Resources. The Reservation Land has been held by the Select Board for 23 years with no clear vision, no effective management and no whole pond solutions.
The construction of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail will bring thousands of additional people to White Pond in the next few years. This makes the rapid and effective implementation of a comprehensive Pond Management Plan even more necessary.
This year in response to resident and WPAC requests and the White Pond Forum, the Select Board has taken some important remedial steps and committed to "Review and implement recommendations for the recreational use and long-term protection of White Pond and its ecosystem" as a core goal for 2015-2016.
Solutions requested
We welcome this pledge and ask the Select Board and Town Manager to:
• Approve the White Pond Advisory Committee's A Shared Future: A Comprehensive Vision For White Pond (2015) as the Town's vision for the Pond, including the conversion of Reservation Land to Conservation Land (also recommended in Concord's Open Space Plan).
• Place White Pond under the management of Concord's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) with a mandate to implement the Vision and preserve White Pond as a healthy, swimmable pond. The DNR develops and implements an ongoing state-of-the-art pond management program in collaboration with Massachusetts State agencies ("great ponds" like White and Walden are owned by the Commonwealth), residents, associations, and other stakeholders. Cyanobacteria outbreaks are a state-wide problems and information, expertise and resources are readily available. The pond management program brings all stakeholders to the table and treats the pond as an integrated ecosystem. The DNR promotes responsible use of the new well-managed White Pond Conservation Land and the enjoyment of its natural beauty.
• Expand opportunities for safe, well-regulated outdoor swimming at White Pond to all Concord residents. The existing White Pond Associates (WPA) Beach maintains an excellent swimming facility (large parking lot, lifeguards, swimming lessons, sanitary facilities and trash cans). The Select Board can develop a suitable arrangement with WPA to make affordable day passes available to Concord residents.
• Use the Pond's current health crisis as an ecological teachable moment for all of Concord. Climate change has come to Concord. Toxic algae outbreaks in New England's lakes and ponds are increasing dramatically due to global warming. The DNR can conduct workshops for volunteers who want to contribute with water quality testing and monitoring, wildlife and plant habitat assessment. Concord schools can provide opportunities for students to learn about pond ecology, conduct projects and help preserve the pond.
Please help protect the Pond. Read our descriptive Vision for White Pond. and join the Preserve White Pond Coalition. If you have questions or comments, please contact us. Thank you for your support.
PreserveWhitePond.org
Christine Gerzon, Robert Gerzon, Joyce Ricker, Jim Ricker
White Pond is a valuable natural resource for the Town of Concord. Thoreau called it Walden's "twin" and celebrated its crystal clear waters. One of Concord's six town wells (source of Town drinking water) is located just 1000 feet from the Pond; two other wells are located not far away. The Town is the biggest landowner on White Pond and is responsible for about one fourth of its shoreline.
This is a crucial time in the life of White Pond, its natural environment and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Town acquired the land in 1992 with private help with the primary purpose of conservation. "No Swimming" signs were posted by the director of the DNR but never enforced. The Pond quickly became a free, unregulated "swimming hole," publicized on the Internet, visible on Google maps, and drawing people from all over the greater Boston area. The Town's fragile cove became a litter-strewn destination spot and an alternative to nearby (and often full) Walden Pond.
Since 1992 the White Pond Advisory Committee (WPAC) has submitted comprehensive management plans to the Town Manager and Select Board for the Town to implement via the Division of Natural Resources (DNR). Today there is still no management program in effect. Over two decades of neglect, overuse and abuse has resulted in the erosion of the shoreline and the pollution of the Pond.
This summer the Pond reached a tipping point. For the first time in its history, White Pond was closed to swimming due to an outbreak of toxic algae (cyanobacteria). Toxic algae is dangerous to people and pets. It is a warning symptom of premature, human-caused eutrophication ("pond death").
In his eye-opening 2014 book Walden Warming, Boston University biologist Richard Primack concludes, "The effects of climate change are already here in Concord, right now."
How will our generation respond?
Divided we fall
At the heart of this problem is the fact that the Town land is split into Conservation Land and Reservation Land. Conservation Land is managed by Concord's Division of Natural Resources. The Reservation Land has been held by the Select Board for 23 years with no clear vision, no effective management and no whole pond solutions.
The construction of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail will bring thousands of additional people to White Pond in the next few years. This makes the rapid and effective implementation of a comprehensive Pond Management Plan even more necessary.
This year in response to resident and WPAC requests and the White Pond Forum, the Select Board has taken some important remedial steps and committed to "Review and implement recommendations for the recreational use and long-term protection of White Pond and its ecosystem" as a core goal for 2015-2016.
Solutions requested
We welcome this pledge and ask the Select Board and Town Manager to:
• Approve the White Pond Advisory Committee's A Shared Future: A Comprehensive Vision For White Pond (2015) as the Town's vision for the Pond, including the conversion of Reservation Land to Conservation Land (also recommended in Concord's Open Space Plan).
• Place White Pond under the management of Concord's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) with a mandate to implement the Vision and preserve White Pond as a healthy, swimmable pond. The DNR develops and implements an ongoing state-of-the-art pond management program in collaboration with Massachusetts State agencies ("great ponds" like White and Walden are owned by the Commonwealth), residents, associations, and other stakeholders. Cyanobacteria outbreaks are a state-wide problems and information, expertise and resources are readily available. The pond management program brings all stakeholders to the table and treats the pond as an integrated ecosystem. The DNR promotes responsible use of the new well-managed White Pond Conservation Land and the enjoyment of its natural beauty.
• Expand opportunities for safe, well-regulated outdoor swimming at White Pond to all Concord residents. The existing White Pond Associates (WPA) Beach maintains an excellent swimming facility (large parking lot, lifeguards, swimming lessons, sanitary facilities and trash cans). The Select Board can develop a suitable arrangement with WPA to make affordable day passes available to Concord residents.
• Use the Pond's current health crisis as an ecological teachable moment for all of Concord. Climate change has come to Concord. Toxic algae outbreaks in New England's lakes and ponds are increasing dramatically due to global warming. The DNR can conduct workshops for volunteers who want to contribute with water quality testing and monitoring, wildlife and plant habitat assessment. Concord schools can provide opportunities for students to learn about pond ecology, conduct projects and help preserve the pond.
Please help protect the Pond. Read our descriptive Vision for White Pond. and join the Preserve White Pond Coalition. If you have questions or comments, please contact us. Thank you for your support.
PreserveWhitePond.org
Christine Gerzon, Robert Gerzon, Joyce Ricker, Jim Ricker