The dam at the north end of the pond failed in the spring of 2008 and work on reconstructing the dam and making changes to the catch basin at the south end of the pond was completed this summer. The select board, on October 23, heard a proposal from Friends of the Mad River watershed coordinator Caitrin Noel to develop and install a wetlands restoration project on the north and east edges of the pond.
LARGER PLAN
Noel explained that the wetland restoration project was part of a larger plan created in 2008 by FMR, the Open Hearth Community Center and the Mad River Path Association to develop an educational wetland restoration project made of an interpretive trails system behind the Big Picture Theater, a connecting section of the Mad River Path around the town pond, and a wetland restoration project to restore impacted wetlands in the area.
Work has been completed on the Mad River Path connection, and work is underway on the interpretive trails system (to be completed summer 2010). FMR has the opportunity to apply for funds from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources for a Supplemental Environmental Project, which can be used for the wetland restoration project.
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DAM FAILED
When the dam failed in 2008, then select board chair Charlie Hosford took action to lower the water level in the pond. That resulted in inappropriate discharge to a state wetland and Hosford was fined $3,500 by the ANR for that action. At the October 23 meeting Hosford told the board that he had the option of diverting two-thirds of the fine he paid towards a wetlands restoration project and had chosen the FMR project.
With the funds, FMR wants to plant native wetland vegetation in specific areas around the town pond.
The plantings, Noel explained, will improve aesthetics and wetlands function, enhance wildlife habitat and improve water quality. Currently, the town pond and surrounding environment provides very little habitat benefit to wildlife, Noel explained in a narrative.
A diversity of native wetland vegetation (mostly herbaceous) planted in the buffer of the pond would increase biodiversity, provide cover and food for wildlife, and improve water quality (by filtering runoff). At one time, the entire area was a wetland. Wetlands provide rich and essential habitat for wildlife; this project seeks to bring back a small part of this richness to the area. In addition, the native wetland plantings will create visual interest and improve the aesthetics of the pond, she told the board.
The board approved the project and asked to see details of the design before work begins.
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