Towns Work Together to Restore Lake Hopatcong

A warm winter, lack of ice, and infrequent spring rains are already creating problems in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. With grants and education programs, the four lake towns -- Jefferson, Roxbury, Hopatcong and Mount Arlington --and the lake commission, are working to reduce the levels of phosphorus and other nutrients that enter the lake.

The effort includes new sewers, improved storm water management systems, plans to improve area septic systems, and a program to promote the use of low-phosphorus fertilizers. Workers from Jefferson and the Lake Hopatcong Commission recently planted 60 native trees and shrubs to transform a vacant lot into a small park and lake access point. The park will be a nice addition to the neighborhood, but more importantly, the plantings will reduce the impact of street and hillside runoff into the lake. In Netcong, volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs along 300 feet of lakeshore that is a favorite spot of ducks and geese. The plants will help reduce runoff, stabilize the bank and create a barrier to discourage the ducks and geese from congregating. 

Other local initiatives include waterfowl management, encouraging low-phosphorus fertilizer use, installing stormwater BMPs. and constructing a peat moss filter in an existing septic system at a Jefferson daycare to enhance the ability of the system to filter pollutants. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006605220326