SALISBURY, Md.- Salisbury neighbors are voicing environmental concerns at Schumaker Pond. They say the green algae in the summer months detracts from the pond’s beauty. Neighbor Tony Sarbanes says he hopes the county and city can work together and find a solution.
"It's really an asset to the county. You know years ago people swam in this pond. There is a pavilion at this pond where people have events," said Sarbanes.
Sarbanes says over the years the algae has only worsened.
"We watch this pond deteriorate in the late spring and summer months. It looks absolutely terrible. It can be solved. It was done before. It can be done again, it just needs effort," said Sarbanes. "If you come here in June or July you would be absolutely devastated by how poor it looks. And we really need city and government, city and county governments to step up as they did once before over a 10 year period and they helped take care of it and we need them to come back and do it again."
Sarbanes says years ago the city and county once worked together to fix the problem and is hoping that partnership can resume.
In a statement to WBOC, County Executive Julie Giordano said, "The county is willing to reinstate the previous agreement set by the late County Executive, Bob Culver, and former Mayor, Jake Day where the city pays for the chemicals and we will go in and spray for the hydrilla. Unfortunately, the city will first need to go into the pond and clear out the hydrilla and other vegetation that has overgrown throughout the years so we can get our boat in the pond to spray. The entire pond was annexed by the city and only 4 houses surrounding the pond are county houses. So therefore it is the City’s responsibility to get the pond to a reasonable and navigable state for the county to spray."
In a statement to WBOC, Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor said, "The City is dedicated to providing resources to improve the health of Schumaker pond. The City is looking forward to working with the County and other resource partners to find a solution and the intention is to fund a comprehensive solution in the upcoming budget cycle that can have long lasting positive effects on the health of the pond. Schumaker Pond is a wonderful asset worthy of protection and the City is committed to doing just that!.”
