Hundreds Expected to Pitch In for Saturday Lake Cleanup Effort

From shopping carts to golf balls, dock lumber to car batteries and tires to cell phones, a variety of items find their way to the bottom of Lake Hopatcong. And every five years, the state of New Jersey draws the lake down five feet, exposing much more of the lake bed than usual. To take advantage of this exposure, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, working with the state, Morris and Sussex counties, four lakefront municipalities, local groups and volunteers will come together Saturday for the Lake Hopatcong Community Cleanup.

“With multiple hurricane events in recent years, along with the usual accidental loss of items from the shoreline and boat traffic, odds are high that we have a collection of items in the lake bed that shouldn’t be there,” said the foundation's President Jessica K. Murphy. “I’m so impressed by the community, local governments, and other groups for coming together for such a worthy effort.” 

Bridgestone Retail Operations Any tires salvaged during the clean-up will go to Bridgestone Retail Operations as part of the company’s Spent Tire Program. BSRO will facilitate the collection and recycling of improperly discarded tires from parks, waterways and other public areas.

“We’re glad to be part of this effort to clean up Lake Hopatcong and to put the salvaged tires to another valuable re-use,” said John Sheerin, BSRO's environmental director. “Our company takes our environmental responsibility seriously, and community events like this help us demonstrate that.” 

Volunteers can either bring their own work gloves or gloves and trash bags will be donated to registered cleanup volunteer by the counties of Morris and Sussex, through their Clean Community programs. And local Departments of Public Works will pick up debris collected by volunteers shortly after the cleanup. The DPWs will also attempt to remove debris that is embedded in the lake bottom and unable to be removed by volunteers, due to being stuck in a mucky area or some other issue with the location. Lakefront residents who notice such debris before the cleanup can submit information about it online.

Foundation officials say more than 300 volunteers have registered so far, but more are needed. People and groups interested in volunteering or leading a volunteer team can submit their information on the LHF website.  The portal also includes information about where property owners can dispose of lake debris they collect themselves as the cleanup gets closer. Lake debris does not include vegetative waste, and recyclable materials should be separated out as necessary. 

The event takes place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. For more information, visit the website at www.lakehopatcongfoundation.org, call the office at 973-663-2500 or visit the office at 37 Nolan’s Point Park Road in Lake Hopatcong.