The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation has declined the request by Citizens to Protect Berlin Pond to ban recreational use on the body of water that supplies Montpelier with drinking water.
“The Department found that these activities would not threaten Montpelier’s drinking water, and that proper enforcement and education regarding existing laws and rules adequately addresses potential for a conflict between recreation and other uses including wildlife viewing,” says an announcement posted on the Agency of Natural Resources website this morning.
The state did, however, agree to a request from the city of Montpelier to restrict motor vehicles from Berlin Pond.
The 256-acre pond is the sole water source for Montpelier, parts of Berlin and the Central Vermont Medical Center. Montpelier had long restricted access to its waters. But in 2012, the state supreme court ruled that the city lacked the authority to deny recreational access, and boaters and fishermen were able to test the waters.
Citizens to Protect Berlin Pond, which formed in the wake of that legal ruling, petitioned the Agency of Natural Resources’ Watershed Management Division to close the pond to recreation, including swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. At a public hearing in May, a large crowd debated the issue, with some arguing that closing the pond would infringe on their rights and others speaking up to protect the water.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner David Mears was quoted in the news release today saying, “Berlin Pond is a gem in central Vermont, easily accessible and yet remote, so I am pleased to announce that Vermonters will be able to continue to access and enjoy the pond for an appropriate, protected set of uses without threatening Montpelier’s drinking water, water that I drink every day.”
Montpelier had requested that the department also ban ice shanties and petroleum products from the pond. The department did not because “risks associated with their uses are covered under existing law,” says its announcement.
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The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation did not do it’s job in preserving the water supply of citizens. Shame on them. Thank goodness their offices are located in Montpelier; they will have to drink the water they’ve soiled.
Good decision based on science rather than emotion or hyperbole.
It is my understanding that Berlin Pond is the back-up reservoir for Montpelier, not the main source of water … otherwise it would be continuously draining down to bedrock. Please feel free to beat me over the head if I’m wrong, but the facts have to be checked first, okay? I don’t think the DEC fell on its head in making this decision, and the ruling makes total sense to me.
The DEC did a fine job handling and answering a petition that was over-reaching, at best. I challenge anybody that disagrees to prove where the DEC is wrong. If you truly believe that they didn’t do their job “preserving the water”, please elaborate. What is it, specifically that will “soil the water” or make it unsuitable for human consumption? Everybody is entitled to an opinion, but if you are going to berate the DEC, it would be nice to cite some specific examples of where they are wrong….using facts and not emotion.
Well said, Fred (whomever you might be). People who live around Berlin Pond are perfectly okay with others who come and have a fine day – be they joggers or boaters. What we don’t want is a bunch of tree-huggers who think they’ve defined what clean water is and lay claim to what should or not be done in terms of the Pond. What water do they drink, and where does it come from? Lake Champlain with all of its boats/ships and unwashed swimmers? Are they people who live in a double-wide next to a seemingly virginal brook where bears §hit in the forest? Get real. Water supply is in every instance an act of faith – even for refugees to the expensive bottled stuff. Those who enjoy Berlin Pond these days (finally … after a hundred years) are kind and gentle. They know how to treat Mother Nature with respect (except for the rednecks who simply throw their beer cans and leftovers on the dirt road or wherever it’s convenient). I hope that this entire issue can be put to rest and that everyone just enjoys the glory of Berlin Pond without having to get their nose out of joint.
Berlin Pond itself is the city’s sole drinking water supply. There is no backup reservoir. There is no source for backup water supply. If something happens to Berlin Pond, it’s bottled water for the city and part of Berlin, including the hospital.