Help Stop Spread of Water Chestnut

Pat Rector has a mission: rid Lake Musconetcong—just downstream of Lake Hopatcong—of the water chestnut.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County Environmental and Resource Management Agent hopes to gather enough volunteers on Aug. 20 to make a significant dent in the water chestnut's presence on Lake Musconetcong.

Click on the flyer on the right for exact details. He provided Patch reasons his mission is important below.

1. This is the largest infestation of water chestnuts in the state.
2. I am looking to get 100 volunteers out on the lake (yes I am an optimist and an overachiever but this lake needs it)
3. There are some row boats and canoes available, we are working on getting more, and a possibility of someone donating some kayaks for the event (still up in the air) but really we are looking for people who have their own.
4. This lake is just downstream of Lake Hopatcong, which means boats and/or birds are potential carriers of seeds to the state’s largest lake.
5. This lake’s outlet is to the Musconetcong River, which further downstream is “Nationally Designated Wild and Scenic” now in the fast moving areas the water chestnut will not take hold but we really do not want the seeds traveling to that river.
6. This is the “Poster Child” for water chestnut.  
7. We need people for manning the registration desk, helping direct parking, cooking as we will have small bbq for folks afterwards and just help.  So please let people know that even if they do not have a boat, and if all boats are taken;  we need them, there are lots of jobs that do not require a boat.
8. Contact person is Chris Trainor, contact information on flyer, but I am back-up.
9. We can also use a few people now for reaching out to businesses, and coordination so all help is welcome.