NewsJournal - 7/27/05 "local"

A thicket of trees and brush gives way to a clearing where stormwater runoff from the Salem Woods neighborhood in Bear is supposed to channel into a retention pond.

But the large, corrugated pipe is rusty and disconnected, and sink holes have sprung up all around where the earth has collapsed from the uncontrolled water.

"The water can just go wherever it wants," said resident Larry Peabody, whose wife Diane heads the Salem Woods Civic Association. "With these sink holes out there people could get hurt."

Using the pond as a backdrop to illustrate their point New Castle County officials Tuesday day launched a one-year amnesty program to help communities fix stormwater ponds so badly maintained that they have fallen into disrepair.

A total of 74 of the county's 450 ponds have been identified as failing. That's a problem because stormwater ponds serve an important purpose: they collect rain that would otherwise flood neighborhoods, channel the water out to rivers and tributaries, and filter debris from that runoff.

"Because of years of neglect of this pressing issue, New Castle County faces a stormwater management crisis." said County Executive Chris Coons, who is heading the initiative. "We want to help our communities regain control of their stormwater ponds and organize them to maintain the ponds in the future. This is a long-term solution that will serve all county residents."

The State Legislature set aside $3.3 million to help, with the county kicking in $600,000. The money will be used mostly to fix the failing ponds, which each need $100,000 to $300,000 in repairs.

Under the amnesty plan, the county will pay for major repairs as long as the community sets up maintenance corporations to take care of the upkeep, such as trimming bushes, cutting grass and removing silt.

That's exactly what Salem Woods resident Kevin Woolard has been trying to do with the help of his sons. An aircraft mechanic who moved into the development two years ago, Woolard soon realized that a lot of his neighbors didn't even know what a retention pond was.

"I couldn't see anyone who was actually going out and taking care of it," he said.

Water floods streets

Though he helped clear much of the brush, he couldn't do anything about the disconnected pipe. Now, heavy storms bring water rushing right over the curb in front of many homes, Diane Peabody said.

"It's a thankless job," Larry Peabody said about why so Many residents don't help out.

The neigbborhood, which has 750 homes, was built in three phases, making it more difficult to sort out who is responsible. Larry Peabody is heading the effort to combine the three maintenance corporations into one as part of the amnesty program.

Residents said they're grateful to state and county officials for helping before localized flooding becomes more widespread.

"I think this will be a tremendous help to maintenance corporations that are floundering and need guidance, county support and expertise," said Michael Stepanic, president of the Lums Pond Estates III maintenance corporation, which has spent more than $9,000 collected from residents in the last two years to fix ponds.

Problems throughout county

The amnesty program should help mitigate a growing problem with flooding throughout the county. Other measures include correcting stream bed problems, buying 15 flood-damaged homes and using the land to control creek overflow, and partnering with the state on Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's surface water management task force.

The ordinance setting up the amnesty program must be approved by County Council members, most of whom expressed support Tuesday for the measure. A vote is expected in September.

Contact Angie Basiouny at 324-2796 or Email her

Review the full article online at: www.Delaware On-Line.com