Crofton Online: Duck Watch
Crofton Meadows Board,
Procom Under Fire
Children wait for adult supervision of rescue efforts.
Citizen volunteers said that the Board of Directors of Crofton Meadows and Procom had not made adequate arrangements to care for the wildlife, leaving the animals to fend for themselves. Volunteers were organized because of their failure to do their job, they said.

A spokesman for Procom denied this, saying that "extensive efforts" had been made to deal with the wildlife. He said that a homeowner "volunteered to ensure that the water fowl were removed," adding that "she did a good job." "Another homeowner organized a group to remove the turtles."

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), according to the spokesman, brought in a boat and used electroshock to remove "between 75-80% of the fish which is a good portion." He added that DNR's experts said "the smaller turtles and snakes...would migrate downstream."

"The water fowl that can fly should fly away."

"We went to DNR and said what should we do? And DNR said xyz and we've done everything DNR said to do and more."

Everyone we spoke to agreed that the dredging was necessary, as the pond had become filled with trash, old tires, muck, and even discarded computer equipment. During the two year planning for the dredging, apparently the only concrete attempt to ensure the survival of wildlife made by those responsible was to apply an electric shock to the water in the pond, supposedly stunning the fish, which were then scooped out.

Joyce Yore identified herself as the volunteer Procom referred to, and her identity was then confirmed by the management company. When told of the comments, she and the volunteers within earshot were incredulous. She said she had organized volunteers only after it became clear that Procom was doing nothing to protect the wildlife.

Several Board members joined in the volunteer effort on Sunday. Meanwhile, a Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 13 has been canceled. A spokesman denied that this was in any way related to the Duck Pond controversy, saying that signs posted announcing the meeting were in error. The Board never meets in August, he said.

The rescue efforts continue as this is written.


Please read our related editorial.
More pictures.

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