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The pond was also surveyed in July of 2021 to determine its functionality in terms of <br />stormwater management. The survey and associated analysis found that the pond is <br />functional and does not require additional maintenance at this time. The maintenance <br />recommendation from WSB, the City's Engineer, was to maintain this pond at its current <br />level. The inlet and outlet structures were deemed functional and not in need of <br />additional maintenance at this time. <br />Residents have expressed interest in treating this pond, citing the aesthetic quality of two <br />ponds on private land nearby that receive treatments with algaecide and herbicide. These <br />are storm pond RLA-013-A, located south of the Red Hawk Trail cul-de-sac, and an <br />unnamed pond located directly north of Birchwood Acres Park ballfield. <br />Staff is not in favor of chemical treatment of the pond for the following reasons: <br />1. Copper is a common component of many chemicals used to treat ponds. When <br />copper accumulates in sediment it may have to be disposed of at a landfill, which <br />increases cost to the city. <br />2. Herbicides and algaecides have negative impacts on wildlife. Even if acute <br />toxicity may be limited for certain chemicals, chronic, long-term wildlife impacts <br />are more uncertain. <br />3. The treatments do not reduce the pollutant load in the stormwater ponds. <br />Stormwater management function of ponds is not improved through <br />algaecide/herbicide treatments. <br />4. The plants that grow in these ponds are incorporating pollutants, such as <br />phosphorous, into their tissues. To kill these plants would eliminate the positive <br />water purification impact. <br />Staff have provided a few options that residents could undertake to improve the aesthetics <br />of the pond: <br />1. Good landscaping and yard care habits remain the best tool at the residents' <br />disposal to limit pollutant loading in the pond. These practices include limiting <br />fertilizer use in lawns, cleaning up after pets, washing vehicles on the lawn rather <br />than the driveway, reducing deicing salt use, and preventing grass and leaves from <br />entering the stormwater system. Most residents living with back yards abutting <br />the pond do have some vegetative buffers in place, which should help limit <br />nutrients from the closest back yards from reaching the lake. <br />2. Install an aerator to improve circulation of water and aid decomposition of <br />organic matter. <br />3. Mechanical removal of vegetation would involve the physical removal of <br />vegetation with a skimming device or nets. This would remove some of the <br />