Dave Stack wrote:
> The first and only stormwater treatment pond in the Harrison Neighborhood
> ran into a buzzsaw of opposition. After it was built, some neighborhood
> people were very upset because they were afraid that children would drown
in
> the pond. The pond was thus completely surrounded by a chainlink fence
with
> a locked gate.
I can't tell you how many times the Minnehaha Creek Watershed board has
heard this same story from neighbors. We have held firmly for ponding while
some municipalities have required fencing for developments. For a state that
has so many water resources that we can't use them all, it's amazing to me
that we don't hear about more drownings! Actually, if stormwater ponds are
built according the national standards, there is a required 10 foot wide
shallow bench near the shore, which will result in dense vegetation and mud
that will discourage both geese and young children from venturing forth.
Pam Blixt
Nokomis East
