Hi Bob. I read with some interest the piece about OP water quality in the May 14, 2004 issue of Ocean City Today. One item catching my eye was author Nancy Powell's statement that your group, MAAC (Marine Activities Advsiory Committee) had backed away from any attempt to discourage waterfowl feeding along Ocean Parkway at the South Gate because she said, "Some members of the Board of Directors did not want to ask residents to cease feeding the waterfowl because many people find it to be a pleasurable activity." I don't know what all the facts are, but it seems unreasonable to me that the "pleasurable" aspect for humans would outweigh the risks to the waterfowl and increased potential for human disease and pollution of the South Gate pond.

Some items I found on this:

• Department of Fish and Game naturalists caution that feeding wild waterfowl is dangerous to the animals because they become dependent on humans for food and lose their ability to forage. Human food is not good for wild birds and animals as it weakens their immune system, making them more susceptible to disease. In addition, food left on the ground can attract disease-carrying animals such as rats and squirrels which can, in turn, pass disease, rabies or Hantavirus to the birds and to humans. Lastly, feeding wild waterfowl discourages them from migrating. When their numbers are combined with the number of domesticated ducks and geese abandoned at the ponds, the end result is severe overpopulation and intense competition for available food.
• Have you ever been walking around a pond or lake where waterfowl are found? Have you noticed that one or two of them seem to have something wrong with their wings? This condition is known as angel wing. A duck or goose with angel wing is unable to fly. Angel wing is the result of improper nutrition early in the development. In domestic waterfowl, poor diet typically results from feeding ducks and geese at the local park ponds where people they give them bread or popcorn. These food items cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to the developmental disorder. The condition has also been attributed to a high protein, high energy diet that leads to unnaturally fast growth, and the waterfowl is unable to support the weight of their wings. Park goers are encouraged to substitute wild game feed, plenty of grass and green feed such as leafy romaine lettuce or spinach for less nutritious items to ensure a balanced diet and to prevent angel wing among waterfowl.
• The only wild waterfowl populations known to be affected with Angel Wing are those fed by man. In Sweden, ten different park populations of Canada geese produced angel wing. The following year one flock was not fed any artificial feed and there were no angel wing goslings produced.

I would urge your group not to give up on this issue as feeding waterfowl poses dangers to the birds as well as to humans.

Also, I would like to thank you and other members of your Committee for service you provide to Ocean Pines.