Asphodel-Norwood – Predatory birds, strobe lights and signs warning residents not to feed the geese are among the deterrents being considered by the Norwood Mill Pond Revitalization committee and council as they continue their efforts to rid the pond of water-polluting Canada geese.

Last week council agreed to consider the recommendations contained in a report submitted this month by the mill pond committee, which was formed in 2004 after the foul condition of the pond was raised at a municipal economic development meeting. The committee has consulted with Trent University’s environmental studies department, township staff and the Ministry of Natural Resources on the best methods for reducing or eliminating bacterial contamination in the mill pond caused by geese defecating in the water and on the shore.

Last month a major step was taken when close to 50 volunteers gathered at the pond to plant more than 300 trees, plants and shrubs in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority.

The Oct. 22 planting was phase one of a four-phase habitat revitalization project designed to enhance the natural environment around the pond and to improve the water quality by establishing a naturalized shoreline to discourage the large resident population of Canada geese from using the pond. The municipality contributed $1,500 for the planting through the 2009 mill pond revitalization budget. And the committee is recommending the municipality provide the same amount for further planting in 2010.

The mill pond committee has also employed a falconer, who enjoyed some success in reducing the presence of geese in the spring and summer. Now the committee wants to bring the falconer back, at an estimated cost of $2,400. The committee would also like to purchase a $500 strobe light to assess its effectiveness in scaring off the geese during the night.

And the committee is also recommending a campaign to discourage residents from feeding the geese. This activity, the committee’s report said, is “blatantly counterproductive to our goose management efforts.” That’s why the report recommends that the municipality work with the MNR, the Canadian Wildlife Service and others to post the appropriate signs warning people not to feed the geese.

The mill pond revitalization committee is also asking council to connect all residences in the vicinity of the pond to the municipal sewer system “to ensure there are no direct discharge grey-water drains being used.”

The committee’s report concludes by noting that at some point the municipality must consider dredging the pond, which is filling with goose droppings and decaying aquatic vegetation, reducing the depth of the water.

The committee has asked council to prepare a report outlining the steps necessary to dredge the pond.