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Beaver Situation

BEAVER SITUATION:
Chuck Hardesty & Paul Cameron

(From the Reclamation Committee Notes)

Chuck Hardesty offered a quick update on the beaver situation on the pond before rushing off to depart for his new residency in Boulder, Colorado. (Chuck has put in a lot of hours working for the pond and has done an excellent job for us. Best wishes to Chuck on his new job an life in Colorado. The pond committee will miss his input and valiant efforts).

Beavers had plugged the culvert under the Rte. 62 bridge in Wilmington and as water was rising, there were several calls made to the Wilmington DPW to help remove the packed debris. The day before Thanksgiving, the Wilmington DPW did remove the debris and when Paul Cameron went back to check the water levels a few days later, levels had dropped 12 - 18" or more.

Chuck suggests some type of screening be put in place to keep the culvert clear. Very little support has been given by the Town of NR on helping with the beaver situation and this is something Paul and Chuck have been working on.

Town support is needed to help control the beavers and to breech the dams and unclog the debris created by the beavers. They applied for a special permit to breech the beaver dam at the end of Fieldcrest Road but due to pesky paperwork, will have to wait until after the next ConCom (Conservation Committee) meeting on Jan. 13th before final permission is given.

They have also applied for a Beaver Deceiver but that is on hold until spring, as the plastic used in the deceiver is not pliable enough in the cold weather to allow for installation at this time.

Volunteers are needed to help with the breaking apart of the dam when permission is finally given. Over the knee or hip boots will be needed. Let us know if your willing and able to work in the ice and cold to help breech the dam.