A former sewage outflow site known as Old Days Pond, in Bonavista, will play a different role in town, if town council gets its way.
Council hopes to have the brackish water tidal pond turned into a provincial wetland and coastal stewardship site.
If successful, it will be the only provincial stewardship on the Bonavista Peninsula.
Councillor John Norman took the Packet on a tour around Old Days Pond to discuss the plan.
Norman said the original plan, conceived decades ago, was to use the pond, along with the man-made cannel, as a docking facility for small watercraft.
"It didn't really work, because when the tide went out the water was too low," he said.
Following that it was used as a sewage outflow for surrounding streets.
"It was a very unpleasant smell," he added.
Norman said it was used for that purpose for decades, until about 10 years ago the outflow was redirected.
"The pond has been cleaned somewhat, the old (sewage treatment) storage tanks have been removed and nature has done a lot of work flushing itself out," he said.
Since the sewage outflow was moved, Norman said, waterfowl and fish have returned to the pond.
A one-kilometre boardwalk was even placed around it.
Norman said the idea for protected wetlands came about two months ago, and was acted upon in December.
To move the project forward, he said, a representative from the Department of Environment and Conservation will assess the site in the near future.
In classifying the site, Norman said, there will be rules regarding provincial and municipal regulations that will be jointly enforced.
"But there hasn't been much of an issue with hunting in the area," he added.
The benefit
Norman said the stewardship would mean positive things for properties surrounding the pond, and the town itself.
He said a sewage outflow next to a property didn't help the real estate value of the surrounding homes. Having a wetland on the back doorstep could, however, improve market values while providing beautification and protection of that area of town.
"Bonavista is developing so it's best we protect some of those spaces," he said. "Plus it send the clear message that the Town of Bonavista is interested in conservation."
It's also the opportunity to joining the Stewardship Association of Municipalities/Communities.
Norman said it's a chance to meet and discuss issues with different provincial municipalities and, hopefully, bring these communities to Bonavista as well.
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