Lake Hopatcong Will Minimally Receive A $750,000 Grant With Lake Bill Signed Into Law

NEW JERSEY — Governor Phil Murphy signed off on a bill Friday that earmarks $10 million in grants prioritized to maintain several state lakes.

Senate Bill S3618, along with its companion bill A5778, each unanimously passed through the Senate and Assembly in June, to help protect lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions of New Jersey, Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake among them.

The law also mandates New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection to create a system that ranks grant applications, prioritizing ones especially in the Highlands and Pinelands regions, relating to water quality, "to assist qualified entities to pay certain costs associated with the management and maintenance of lakes for recreation and conservation purposes," according to the law, passed and posted on Friday.

The grants are classified as "Stormwater Management Grants," which could assist with monitoring lake nutrient levels that could curtail the development of harmful algal blooms or “HABs," for "the cost of development of lands for the management and maintenance of lakes for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to the provisions of this section."

Under the law, both the Lake Hopatcong Commission and Greenwood Lake Commission - those lakes heavily impacted in 2019 by HABS - are guaranteed to have the DEP designate a minimum $750,000 grant award for each, after they go through the application process developed by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

New Jersey Senator Steve Oroho, one of the Senate bill sponsors, commented about the impact on lake communities like Hopatcong, first from algal blooms in 2019 and then from COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“After they’ve suffered so much, it is even more important that the State step up to meet the need,” said Oroho, R-24th Dist., of these lakes. “Now that this substantial appropriation has been approved, we have critical new resources to help.”

Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Parker Space, both R-24th, who co-sponsored the Assembly bill with Assemblyman Brian Bergen, R-25th Dist., agreed with Oroho of the difficulties lake communities have endured from multiple shutdowns, in a joint press release on behalf of the Assembly Republicans.

Other bill co-sponsors included Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, D-28th Dist.; Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, R-26th Dist.; Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, D-11th Dist.; John McKeon, D-27th Dist.; Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, D-7th Dist.; Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-25th Dist.; and Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-3rd Dist.

“This law ensures we are making smart investments in programs that will preserve our freshwater lakes for the recreational enjoyment of tourists and the economic prosperity of lakefront business owners,” Wirths said.

“This law demonstrates our commitment to preserving public access and supporting small businesses that rely on lake activity,” Space added.

“Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake are two of the most important destinations for summer recreation in northern New Jersey, so it’s important we guarantee them a significant level of funding,” added Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-25th. Dist., who also co-sponsored the Senate bill.

“This infusion of money will help address algal blooms and weed proliferation on these lakes that have threatened both boating and swimming for many years, Bucco said. “It’s my hope that this appropriation is just the first step in securing recurring State funding for the future needs of our lakes.”

"Proper lake maintenance will allow communities to maintain revenue-generating activity, while also ensuring a safe environment for swimmers,” Bergen commented.

Sen. Joe Pennachio, R-26th Dist., who additionally co-sponsored the Senate bill, stated in a news release sent out by the New Jersey Senate Republican Office on Friday, that in the past, the lakes had been “consistently underfunded.”

“This newly approved funding represents the most significant investment in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake in recent memory, if not ever,” Pennachio said. “We’ll continue fighting to make this appropriation permanent to ensure our lakes get the support they need each and every year.”

Editor's Note: This article has been updated on Sept. 25, with supplemental information on the legislation.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.