Munson Pond - turtles need safe, traffic free areas to breed.

Munson Pond has a healthy western turtle population.  That may change if the road goes through.

A thesis, written by Jessica D. Derksen, states that "Road development threatens freshwater turtles globally."  In her paper, titled "The impact of roadway mortality on a long-lived freshwater turtle", she states that even small changes in mortality can have "a significant impact on western painted turtle populations."

Those for the road construction would argue that the pond has a significantly sizeable area of land for breeding.  Their position relies on the existing land area surrounding the pond, as shown in the above photograph.  Not all of it is suitable for turtles to lay their eggs, however.  There are ditches (to the north), swamps (to the south), and a school field (to the west).  Each of these may have additional barriers, such as fences, that prevent turtles from accessing nesting sites.  

While barriers can be constructed to prevent turtles from crossing busy roads, they do not prevent it.  It is estimated that such barriers can reduce mortality by 80-90 percent, yet deaths still occur.  There is also the increased noise, traffic, pollution, and pedestrian traffic to contend with.  Turtles are sensitive to all such things.

While I propose a moratorium on road development through the Munson Pond wetland, if one does go ahead, I would strongly advocate for a well-designed turtle barrier to be constructed.  I would also suggest that research be done before construction begins to reduce turtle mortality both during and after construction.

Turtles are important, and every time we alter their environment, we endanger them.  At the moment, Munson Pond has a stable turtle population.  Let's keep it that way.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com