Unfortunately this is a great example of litterbugs ruining it for everyone else. Burton’s Pond has been closed to the public by the landowners due to litter building up. This has been a problem for years and years, but they have finally had it with the issue. I received this message the other day from Rich Cordeaux “Good morning Rich. I went kayaking Sunday afternoon at Burtons pond on route 24 above Angola road. Mr Leland Burton who owns the pond had put up no trespassing signs, also stating no fishing or hunting. Luckily Mr Burton stopped and spoke with Corey Rutledge and I about the signs. There is so much trash in and around the pond, that the land owners and development in the back are complaining. I fish that pond multiple times a week and I also see many other cars there year round. I assured Mr Burton that I would clean up the trash. He allowed us to continue our fishing trip, which we caught 12 pickerel between the pair. So to get to the point, I know you are passionate about our waterways and nature. If you are at all able to maybe help with spreading the word and/or maybe helping organize a clean up within the next 3 months. That is when Mr Burton said he will give me to make it good enough for the property owners to take down the signs. Thanks for any help you may provide.”
I will look into organizing a clean up party for next week. There are a few other areas around the area that are being considered for closure due to lots of litter. The old bridge on route 1 over the Broadkill River is a ridiculous mess and DNREC is considering closing that according to Dan at Dan’s Tackle Box. Also I heard they are considering closing access to the slough at Fowlers Beach due to lots of litter. People need to get it together and start taking their trash out with them from these areas. They also need to stop taking trash to these areas and just dumping it. Burton’s pond is private property and the public was allowed to use the area, but now the owners are tired of trash and shut it down. How much more access will we lose to litterbugs being disrespectful of someone else’s area? Once we get a handle on how and when, I will be looking for volunteers to help clean up some areas to hopefully keep them open for the public. I am also going to contact the state representatives of these areas to see if they can help us acquire the necessary supplies or equipment to clean. The area at the Broadkill Bridge will literally take a dumpster or four to clear all of that mess out of there. Litterbugs come in all shapes and sizes, don’t blame one group. As anglers we are supposed to be the stewards of the waterways, not the ones creating the problems. Hopefully we can get some people together and satisfy the homeowners concerns. I am also going to ask DNREC about the cameras they have been placing in heavy litter traffic areas.
Fish On!!
Rich King