Lake Hopatcong's Funding Should Be Increased By 8: Legislator

LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ — The amount of funding Lake Hopatcong receives from the state should be increased eightfold, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce proposed in new legislation aimed at helping the community deal with harmful algal blooms.

The lake currently receives $500,000 from the state for annual maintenance. Under a new bill proposed by DeCroce, that funding would jump to $4 million a year. That figure is based on engineering consultants that said at least $4 million a year is needed to deal with storm water run-off and failing septic systems, which can lead to algae blooms.

"The state has annually shirked its responsibility to maintain both state-owned lakes for decades. Now we have a health risk posed by unprecedented algal blooms and swimming advisories that are destroying the local economies around both lakes. It’s time for the state to step up," said Assemblywoman DeCroce.

Managing Lake Hopatcong has become a hot-button issue since a harmful algae bloom led to the Department of Environmental Protection's recommendation that people avoid contact with the lake water in mid-June. Since that recommendation, the number of visitors to the lake have plummeted, and many local businesses have seen significant drops in revenue.

• Read More: Lake Hopatcong's Terrible Summer: Algae Blooms Could Ruin Season

"For decades, the state has reneged on promised annual appropriations at both lakes [Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake], yet earlier this year the Legislature gave Wildwood $4 million for tourism promotion. It’s time for the state to accept its obligation to the lakes and the communities whose livelihoods depend on them," said Assemblywoman DeCroce.

Pollutants from fertilizers and other waste run-off can contribute to the harmful algae blooms, by giving the bacteria phosphorus and nitrogen to feed on. Coupled with still, warm water, sunny days, and shallow water, the lake became a "crock-pot" for a bloom, Mike Haberland, a county agent and an associate professor at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County and Burlington County, told Patch when the advisory was first issued.

Although harmful algae blooms are fairly typical in northern New Jersey lakes, this is the first time the entirely of Lake Hopatcong has been under a HAB advisory at the same time, DEP officials told Patch.

During the advisory, park goers should not have any contact with the water, including swimming, wading, drinking, and water sports (jet skiing, kayaking, wind-surfing and paddle-boarding). Any fish caught in the bloom should not be eaten, and pets should be kept away from the water. The lake is still open for boating, the DEP said.

• Read More: All Of Lake Hopatcong Closed To Swimming Due To Algae

Officials warned they anticipated a long advisory when first announcing it in June, saying it could be in place for weeks, "if not longer."

While politicians were originally supportive of the advisory, many have since expressed frustration at the extended length and it's impact on the local economy.

Exposure to the bacteria can cause rashes, allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, skin and eye irritation, and gastroenteritis. Several people have reported suffering skin rashes after coming into contact with lake water, officials said.

Although referred to as "algae," the cyanobacteria causing the green blooms are not technically algae. The bacteria can grow excessively through ptotosynthesis. While usually green, they can also look like "spilled paint, pea soup" or look like a thick coating on the water, DEP officials said.