The fence at Sherwood Mill Pond is temporary, says Jeff Northrop Jr.
His family owns the strip of land where a fence was erected yesterday. It’s on the north side of the walking path between Old Mill and Compo Cove.
The temporary fence keeps people and pets off of the property while water quality monitoring tests are conducted.
The testing — which may take a year — will examine eutrophication, Northrop says. That occurs when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients, which induces excessive algae growth. The process may result in oxygen depletion of the water, which harms fish and other wildlife.
“Protecting marine resources starts with sound agricultural and waste management practices,” Northrop notes.
Sherwood Mill Pond. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Sherwood Mill Pond was in bad shape in the 1970s. It took decades of work to get it where it is today.
The fence will prevent dogs, and humans like fishermen and crabbers, from accessing the pond, which could impact the testing.
If a permanent fence is needed — for liability purposes, and/or to keep hordes of youngsters from jumping off the bridge (as they did last loudly and constantly last summer, to the annoyance of neighbors) — Northrop says it will be more aesthetically pleasing than the chain link one that’s there now.
Temporarily.
The new fence at Sherwood Mill Pond.