Extra measures requested to prevent more runoff into Stratford ponds

Some developers in Stratford, P.E.I., have been asked to take extra measures to keep sediment from running into nearby ponds and waterways.

Provincial officials made the request after investigating complaints from residents that a number of ponds had turned red with sediment runoff and stayed that way after recent heavy rain.

"I have done my touring around, up through the roads and through the development and it's quite obvious," said Stratford resident Winston Maund, who lives next toKelly's Pond.

"You just drive up to the higher ground and you see where it is all pouring down into our pond here."

Provincial officials said theyget calls to investigatethe sedimentation runoff every time it rains.

"So we go out and we look at any additional measures required to reduce impact," saidWade MacKinnon, manager of investigation and enforcement with theDepartment of Justice and Public Safety.

"There is so much area exposed in those numerous construction sitesat the head of the watershed that it'svirtually impossible to totally reduce the impacts so what we're trying to do is minimize impact to the watershed."

'We take it really seriously'

He said the investigation concluded the runoff is coming from four construction projects in the area aroundKelly'sPondandMoore's Pond.

Those include a new provincial roundabout on the Trans-Canada Highway, Stratford's new emergency services building and two projects owned by private developers.

All of the developers have been asked to cover up exposed soil with mulch, along with adding hay bales, rock dams and screening in catchment basins, said MacKinnon.

He said all are complying with those requests for additional erosion control measures.

Though some residents want to see the town do more to protect ponds and waterways.

"They're letting these developers do their work but they're not following up and making sure that they have adequate environmental controls on their site and as a result we've got a real mess," said Stratford resident Dave Barrett.

Mayor Steve Ogden said the townintroduced new rules for subdivisions and other developments last year to prevent erosion from construction sites.

The town says thosemeasures worked well during heavy rain events all summer, butOgden said it was disappointingto see the latest runoff event.

"We take it really seriously and protecting the environment for today and for the future is, you know, top priority for us," he said.

Ogden said they may consideradding additional resources in an upcoming budget to help deal with the issue.

In a emailed statement to CBC, the province saidstaff from the Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change as well as Justice and Public Safety visited the areas on Monday.

To address the concerns, it said,additional works have been requested at several sites. MacKinnonsaid therequested extra measures and mulch shouldbe in place by the end of the week.

The goal is to be prepared before the ground freezes to protect against more runoff in the spring.

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