:Looks like Arlington Virginia would rather spend the money and do the work themselves. Apparently they like all the wildlife the beaver pond has attracted but they don’t want the beavers themselves, Because “Water quality”.
Long-awaited renovations to Ballston Beaver Pond begin
Work began yesterday (Wednesday) on the long-delayed Ballston Beaver Pond remediation project — but no busy beavers will be involved.
The $4.2 million, 18-month project approved by the County Board this summer will retrofit the pond, originally built in 1980 to collect stormwater runoff from I-66. Today, sediment in the pond prevents detention, and it instead has become home to abundant wildlife, including beavers, according to a county report.
The project, expected to wrap up in July 2023, aims to improve stormwater retention and the wildlife habitat by restoring native plant species and adding habitat features. There will be a new observation platform with educational signage, seating and a reconstructed trail with bike racks.
Now that’s a lot of. money to do what beavers could do for free, But bike racks! You got me there. Beavers couldn’t do that.
Arlington County says the new two-acre wetland area will provide stormwater treatment to 460 acres of land in the Lubber Run watershed, and “is among the County’s most effective opportunities to achieve its water quality objectives and meet its regulatory requirements.”
“From now until the end of the year, neighbors will see the contractor bringing equipment and setting up the boundaries of the construction area,” she said. “In the new year, neighbors will begin to see dump trucks full of sediment removed from the pond leaving the site.”
Dump trucks! That’s pretty special. Everyone knows it takes a man in a hard hat driving a dumbstruck to do that, right?
First, workers will remove sediment from and re-grade a half of the pond while removing invasive plants.
After the second half of the pond receives the same treatment, construction will begin on a new observation platform, trail upgrades, native species planting and new habitat features, including basking stations for turtles, she said.
Sounds nice. And I’m sure its great work for your brother in law who got the contract, But you know what else makes great habitats for native plants, wildlife and turtles?
But once beaver baffles are installed to discourage these critters from returning — and damming the pond again, which could compromise water quality — the wetland area will need a new name.
Yes they really said that. Apparently Arlington’s crack plan is to keep the beavers out and spend 4.2 million doing all the things they would have done. naturally. Seems logical to me,
But think of the BIKE RACKS!
