Lake Hopatcong $ Problems

[Lucky]

Funding drought puts Lake Hopatcong's summer season in jeopardy

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(01/17/07) LAKE HOPATCONG - A lakeside community in Morris County is in jeopardy of losing millions this summer.

The commission that maintains Lake Hopatcong says it needs emergency state funding to keep the lake clean. During the summer season, tourists flock to the lake and bring in money to the community. The Lake Hopatcong Commission fears the lack of funding to dredge the lake will eventually force it to close the body of water to visitors.

The commission says it needs another $500,000 to keep the lake open. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says there is no further funding for this fiscal year. DEP officials add there won"™t proposed funding for the next fiscal year until the governor releases the new budget.

The commission says it needs additional funding by April 1 to save the lake"™s upcoming summer season.

 

 

I had know idea it cost so much money to maintain a lake!

[jackryan]

I don't think one public penny should go to that project. The "Public" in this case is wealthy land owners bording this body of water with oversized boats for a freshwater lake. There are no horsepower restrictions, in the summer this place looks like a washing machine. There is virtually NO pubic access to the shoreline of this Lake, typical NJ-screw-the-average-guy urban planning. Don't dredge it, reduce horsepower to realistic levels and plenty of recreational use will be preserved...and better summer fishing too.

[Lucky]

I agree with you 100%.

[Skate Bait]

I don't think one public penny should go to that project. The "Public" in this case is wealthy land owners bording this body of water with oversized boats for a freshwater lake. There are no horsepower restrictions, in the summer this place looks like a washing machine. There is virtually NO pubic access to the shoreline of this Lake, typical NJ-screw-the-average-guy urban planning. Don't dredge it, reduce horsepower to realistic levels and plenty of recreational use will be preserved...and better summer fishing too.

 

What he said!

But there is one tiny bit of public land for recreational use there. It's in the state park. The area can usually be identified by the line of cars with NY license plates, that start lining up at 5:00am. After they leave, the only sign that they were there are the mountians of trash left behind.

[Rustyjigz]

No pleasure boaters on the weekends, that is awesome ... I fish in tournaments there and that will help reduces the stress on the fish.

 

Those pleasure boaters really screw things up I for one would like to .

Thanks for brightening up my night.

[HardyG]

The problem is that weed growth is out of control due to due fertilizer runoff. All of those storm drains empty into the lake, and local homeowners who insist on having ultra-green lawns have noone to blame but themselves. They crahpped their pants, and are demanding that others pay for new underwear. My gut feeling is that the locals will try to levy extra fees on the public-accessible boat launches (Lee's Park), ask Corzine to raise taxes statewide and refuse to pay for any of the cleanup themselves. Nonsense like this is why I leave the bass boat home and take my kayak to Merrill Creek.

[Shipwreck]

Ha ha

Screw em.

Places like H are why I took up the sedges.

[shbeachbum]

Boy---doesn't this also sound like the beach replenishment project. Spend our tax dollars but do not provide:

 

A--access

 

B--parking

 

C--restrooms

 

D--All of the above