Weed harvesting on Lake Hopatcong hasn't started yet, but it's still slated to being earlier than in 2011.
Steve Ellis, regional superintendent of the state's northern parks, said he expected at least two weed harvesters to hit the lake in early July, followed by another pair of harvesters later in the month. Last year, harvesters didn't start until mid-July.
"We're getting all the harvesters ready," Ellis said at the Lake Hopatcong Commission meeting Monday at the Hopatcong Senior Citizens Center, "sharpening the blades. Of course we've had a late start but the equipment is on its away to drop into the water."
The harvesters will be out on the lake until September, Ellis said.
Roll Back Our Tax
6:36 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The money (to maintain the lake) which would come from state pleasure boat registration fees, would go into a newly created "Lake Hopatcong Fund." I guess this is where the $ is coming from.
jazzman
10:25 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
lets see if they even get out of the starting gate by the 4th,,and they never will get to the styx by Aug.
Willa Scantlebury
12:03 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
20 Year's we've been on the lake. The weeds have NEVER been this bad in our cove than they have these past 2 years. There are at least 3 different organizations that have been established to "help" the lake. I'll be darned if I've seen any improvement in the water quality and weed management. All the press these organizations get is a waste of time! I think all the money we read about being spent on the lake get's dumped into the lake and the weeds feed on it.
Michele Guttenberger
12:37 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I think waiting for our Gov to do something is being naive. I think we the people will have to privately take control of our own beaches, marinas, and coves. I have personally dragged, bagged and raked these weeds for our beach club and boat dock. Maybe if every private marina and beach and cove and club did their own harvest - clean up efforts there will be results. NJ has big budget problems and while this is a tragedy to us, this problem is probably at the bottom of their pile. NJ HAS NO MONEY. It is up to us to save the lake now. That is why I have joined private groups/organizations that want to preserve the lake. Yelling for our politicians to do something is fruitless we have to take control of matters ourselves. Waiting for them will be too late. Stop giving money to the Gov in hopes they will spend it on the lake. Because Willa has said it so well this money - "gets dumped into the lake and the weeds feed on it."