Sunset Beach committee reviews Still Water pond treatments and native-plantings for viewing deck

The Town of Sunset Beach Environmental Resource Committee on June 17 reviewed recent pond maintenance work and an initial Still Water vendor report covering treatments across the town’s 10 ponds.

Jennifer, speaking for the Lakes & Ponds subcommittee, said Public Works (credited to Matt Thor) planted native bulbs along the viewing deck and that she circulated a short native-plant guide intended for the town website and market outreach. She also summarized the Still Water report: “West Lake was a little bit more cloudy. He reported and it was treated May the 19th,” and added that East Lake had been treated for algae. The vendor visited all 10 ponds; reported treatments included work on alligatorweed, spike rush and filamentous algae, and a replaced filter on the aerator for pond 7.

Committee members noted that not all water features are traditional ponds—some are drainage or retention ditches—and they discussed making clearer maps available to residents and visitors so people can identify the sites discussed. Jennifer said she received the report the day before the meeting and expected follow-up treatment records to confirm later treatments.

Why it matters: residents living adjacent to these ponds expressed interest in water clarity and maintenance; pond conditions affect local drainage into the Intracoastal Waterway and recreational use. The committee is planning to post plant lists and consider propagation classes and market outreach to educate residents.

What’s next: committee will add clearer, enlarged maps of pond locations to outreach materials and follow up when additional treatment reports arrive.