Funding for Lake Hopatcong Commission

As you have seen in local newspapers, the Lake Hopatcong Commission needs funding in order to continue to function. Of immediate concern is the harvesting of weeds. This could be an exceptionally bad year with a bumper crop of weeds expected. Without funding the Commission may very well cease to exist. Your assistance is needed to sign petitions, send letters, speak with friends and family throughout the state, and speak with State elected officials.

To help, a petition for you to duplicate is given below. This petition was drawn-up in Jefferson and is being distributed by Township officials. Some illustrative letters are included below.

Additional information may be found at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club website and at the Lake Hopatcong website, both are listed under "Other Organizations" at the top of our webpage. Jefferson Township's website is http://www.jeffersontownship.net


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We the undersigned request that the State of New Jersey provide funding to the Lake Hopatcong Commission.   In order for the Commission to fulfill it's mission of protecting the lake, the Commission needs both temporary funding to be able to survive through the current budget year but also a permanent source of funding needs to be found to ensure that the Commission remains a viable entity into the future.   We again ask that funding be found for the Lake Hopatcong Commission in order that the “Jewel” known as Lake Hopatcong be protected for the use and enjoyment of future generations of families from all over New Jersey.

 

 

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Honorable Jon Corzine

Governor, State of New Jersey

State House

P.O. Box 001

Trenton, NJ 08625

 

Dear Governor,

 

This letter is sent requesting the State provide funding for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. By statute, the Legislature established this Commission, and charged it “to oversee and safeguard Lake Hopatcong as a natural, scenic, and recreational resource to ensure that the Lake may be enjoyed to the fullest possible measure by citizens of, and visitors to, the State both now and in the future.”   The major part of this charge is the weed harvesting program. Due to the mild temperatures, 2007 will be an exceptionally bad year for weeds, far exceeding the average.

 

The Lake is a major source of revenues for the State. It is a summer haven for hundreds of thousands of residents of northern New Jersey who come to swim, boat, and fish. Now, it seems the State has curtailed funding to the Lake Hopatcong Commission forcing an end to weed harvesting, as well as the existence of the Lake Hopatcong Commission.

 

I ask that you find the resources to provide the Lake Hopatcong Commission $500,000 in funding. Money allocated for Lake Hopatcong is an investment by the State. The revenue derived by the State of New Jersey from the Lake far exceeds the amount of State funds spent on Lake related activities. This could be a mind boggling summer.

 

                                               In the interest of a Better Borough,

 

                                                                      January 25, 2007

 

The Honorable Jon S. Corzine

Office of the Governor

PO Box 001

Trenton, New Jersey    08625

 

Dear Governor Corzine:

 

                            RE:               Lake Hopatcong Commission

 

I am writing this letter to voice my concern for the lack of funding for the Lake Hopatcong Commission.   As you know, Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey and plays an extremely important role in both the economic and environmental well-being of not only the immediate area, but the entire state as well.   The Lake Hopatcong Commission was created to help protect and improve the water quality of Lake Hopatcong.

 

In order to fulfill it's mission of protecting the lake's natural resources, the Commission needs not only temporary funding to be able to survive through the current budget year, but also a permanent source of funding to ensure that the Commission remains a viable entity into the future.   The result of having the Commission unfunded would be a disaster for Lake Hopatcong and its surrounding towns.   Not only would there be a negative economic impact to the State through loss of tourism and recreation dollars, but a negative environmental impact would be felt throughout significant areas of the State as well, including the Highlands Preservation Area.

 

Most citizens do not realize that Lake Hopatcong is a source of potable drinking water.   During times of drought Lake Hopatcong water has been pumped into the Jersey City Water System via the Rockaway River.   The Lake Hopatcong watershed is the headwaters of the Muscanetcong River which is a major tributary to the Delaware River, and is the major water source of drinking water for thousands of New Jersey residents.   If the lake is allowed to further degrade, the consequences would be immeasurable.

 

Again, I request that funding be found for the Lake Hopatcong Commission in order that this “Jewel” known as Lake Hopatcong be protected for the use and enjoyment of future generations of families from all over New Jersey.

 

                                                                      Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

401 E. State Street

7 th Floor, East Wing

P.O. Box 402

Trenton, New Jersey    08625-0402

 

Dear Commissioner Jackson:

 

                            RE:               Lake Hopatcong Commission

 

I am writing this letter to voice my concern for the lack of funding for the Lake Hopatcong Commission.   As you know, Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey and plays an extremely important role in both the economic and environmental well-being of not only the immediate area, but the entire state as well.   The Lake Hopatcong Commission was created to help protect and improve the water quality of Lake Hopatcong.

 

In order to fulfill it's mission of protecting the lake's natural resources, the Commission needs not only temporary funding to be able to survive through the current budget year, but also a permanent source of funding to ensure that the Commission remains a viable entity into the future.   The result of having the Commission unfunded would be a disaster for Lake Hopatcong and its surrounding towns.   Not only would there be a negative economic impact to the State through loss of tourism and recreation dollars, but a negative environmental impact would be felt throughout significant areas of the State as well, including the Highlands Preservation Area.

 

Most citizens do not realize that Lake Hopatcong is a source of potable drinking water.   During times of drought Lake Hopatcong water has been pumped into the Jersey City Water System via the Rockaway River.   The Lake Hopatcong watershed is the headwaters of the Muscanetcong River which is a major tributary to the Delaware River, and is the major water source of drinking water for thousands of New Jersey residents.   If the lake is allowed to further degrade, the consequences would be immeasurable.

 

Again, I request that funding be found for the Lake Hopatcong Commission in order that this “Jewel” known as Lake Hopatcong be protected for the use and enjoyment of future generations of families from all over New Jersey.

 

                                                                      Sincerely,

 

Honorable Richard J. Codey

NJ Senate President

449 Mount Pleasant Avenue

West Orange, NJ 07052