MT. ARLINGTON (11/23/05) – Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest, has existed for many years on pittance state grants….most of it due to politics, nearly all of it from the efforts of State Sen. Anthony Bucco.

But more recently the lake’s needs are receiving recognition from several sources. Most important is the Federal EPA’s announcement that the Commission that oversees it has received a competitive first time grant of $475,000. This amounts to about 90 per cent of the Commission’s current budget.

There is an important stipulation with the grant and that is every penny of it must be used for improving the quality of the water in the lake, mostly to eliminate phosphorous residue from fertilizers. Using any of it for operating expenses and salaries is strictly prohibited.

The communities surrounding the lake, Mount Arlington, Jefferson, Hoptcong and Roxbury have had a residents’ campaign to use only phosphorous free fertilizers on their lawns. Part of the grant will go toward expanding this campaign with expanded education as well as improving storm water systems, storm drains and catch basins. Phosphorous that gets into the lake nourishes the algae and weeds that not only pollute the water but severely limits boating.

Mayor Arthur Ondish, commission chairman, who accepted the check from Alan J. Steinberg, the EPA’s administrator for the New York-New Jersey region at a ceremony in the park’s administration building in Hopatcong State Park..

Also on hand for the presentation was Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, who played a major role in petitioning the EPA for the grant.

The State Department of Environmental Protection also recognized the Commission for its phosphorous clean up efforts as well as its annual weed harvesting campaign.

The Commission also has been nominated for an award from the Wisconsin based North American Lake Management Society.