As predicted in “EPIC and St. Maarten Pride’s position statement on the Great Salt Pond Ring-road plans” of February 2009 and the Foundation’s “Objections to the Ring road Construction Permit request” of June of this year, the construction of the Ring road is having a devastating effect on the many species of birds, crabs and fish in the Great Salt Pond.
On the morning of Tuesday November 10th, 2009 St. Maarten Pride Foundation and EPIC representatives received calls from a concerned citizen and a department of New Works Project Manager who requested the Foundations to provide assistance at the Flood Gates between the Fresh Pond and the Great Salt Pond on the Illidge road, where hundreds if not thousands of fish were surfacing and unsuccessfully trying to get from the Salt Pond to the Fresh pond.
The Foundations contacted Nature Foundation Marine Park Manager Mr. Lake and arrived at the location at 9:35 am. Foundation representatives examined the situation and concluded that it was necessary to allow Fresh water to enter the Great Salt Pond immediately. The vast amount of sand dredged from the Great Bay area and deposited in the Great Salt Pond has increased the Pond’s salinity, this combined with diminished circulation and a decrease in oxygen levels caused many fish to die and others to seek access to a relatively more hospitable habitat in the Fresh Pond.
After over two long hours of phone calls to Commissioners, Sector Heads and other officials by Foundation staff, volunteers and Sector R.O.B staff, heavy equipment finally arrived to open the dam between both ponds, in order for much needed fresh water to enter the Great Salt Pond.
EPIC, Pride Foundation and the Nature Foundation will be closely monitoring developments at the Great Salt Pond and have advised government to allow a properly managed amount of water from the Fresh Pond to enter the Great Salt Pond when necessary in an attempt to somewhat stabilize the ecosystems.
