Lake Hopatcong Weed Harvesting to Begin in June

The assault on Lake Hopatcong's weeds will start in June.

Lake Hopatcong Commission Chairman Russell Felter said at Monday night's meeting in Mount Arlington that a large portion of the commission's remaining budget—about $100,000—would go toward the project.

"We have to take a chance and go," Felter said.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection representative Kerry Kirk-Pfulgh said fundraising for weed harvesting could be a step toward "making the lake community cohesive."

Ron Sorensen of the Lake Hopatcong Alliance said the organization is planning a boating festival from Aug. 18 - 21 to raise money for the harvesting. Sorenson said volunteers would work the event. There would be vendors and entertainment, he said.

"It's going to be a nice fundraiser event for weed harvesting," Sorenson said.

Lake Hopatcong Alliance President Ray Fernandez said the organization has created a lake-awareness brochure aimed spotlighting environmental issues, marking, travel, lake rules, weed and board maintenance information. Fernandez said it will be an educational piece for the community.

"I think this is the tool that will end up saving this lake long-term," he said of the brochure.

The Knee Deep Club's Tim Clancy said the lake was fighting an ongoing battle with water chestnuts, which the group helped mostly eradicate last summer.