Lake Hopatcong Weed Harvest Ahead of Curve

The weeds on Lake Hopatcong could be less plentiful as the summer wears on than they were in 2011.

Steve Ellis, regional superintendent of the state's northern parks, said Monday that almost a quarter more weeds (191 cubic feet) were harvested between July 9-16 than during the same period (156) in 2011.

"A little bit ahead of the curve," Ellis said at the Lake Hopatcong Commission meeting.

Ellis said the seven-member harvest team has already cleared the River Styx and Cresent Cove areas. It will soon turn its attention toward the North Island, Brant and Sherman sections, he said.

The team has been working with three harvesters, but expects to soon have a fourth operational, Ellis said.

Despite the progress, there was one hurdle the state, which took over harvesting for the Lake Hopatcong Commission this summer, would have to clear, Ellis said.

He said the Morris County Utility Authority would cap the amount of vegitative matter it would accept from the state at 300 cubic feet.

"That was somewhat a surprise," Ellis said.

Ellis said the state was ready to begin depositing the matter with Roxbury's Nature's Choice. But it would come at a cost. Ellis said the MUA charges the state just $4 per cubic foot while Nature's Choice offered a $10 rate for the same amount.