LAKE HOPATCONG COMMISSION
Funding Update

The LHC received a $2,460 donation from the 2008 Poker Run on Lake Hopatcong held in September organized by Entertainment Select in Hopatcong, New Jersey.  According to Tosh Herman of Entertainment Select, based on feedback from last year's Poker Run participants, they decided to donated all proceeds back to the lake this year.  The Commission is truly appreciative of the donation and would like to thank the Poker Run organizer, sponsors and all the participants. 

As of November 2008, due to funding constraints, the Commission has no plans to operate its successful weed harvesting program for the 2009 boating season.  The harvesting equipment, owned and operated by the Commission, will be shrink-wrapped and stored outside until further notice. 

In October, 2008 LHC Chairman Arthur Ondish reported that the Commission funding from the State was running out.  At that time, the Commission took action to issue notice of termination effective November 28, 2008 to all five remaining Commission employees.  Local elected officials introduced legislation to dedicate $700,000 annually from pleasure boat registration fees to that fund, and appropriates $700,000 for FY2009. 

During May and June 2008, the Commission held a series of meeting to discuss user fees on Lake Hopatcong, but did not move forward with supporting legislation for boat user fees which was intended to serve as a stable source of funding for the Commission. 

In 2007, Chair Ondish reported that the State of New Jersey would provide bridge funding for the Lake Hopatcong Commission to continue its operations.  In return, the Commission, with support from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), will explore implementing some type of user fee program to ensure there is a dedicated source to fund the Commission's work to restore Lake Hopatcong. 

At the March 19, 2007 LHC meeting, Chairman Ondish outlined his discussions with Governor Jon Corzine during a meeting held earlier in the month.  The Commission and NJ DEP will work together to determine the amount of bridge funding needed.  The Commission did receive assurances that bridge funding would be available before the current funds run out which will allow the LHC seven employees to continue working. Without any additional State funding, the Commission would have become insolvent during the April-May timeframe.

Many concerned citizens and governing bodies joined our Commissioners to fight for funding.  Meetings were held with elected officials and residents.  Letters, resolutions and petitions flooded the Governor's office and DEP to support Commission funding and demand that a dedicated funding source be established.  

Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) meet and corresponded with former DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson about the Commission funding issue.   Senator Bucco's letter and Commissioner Jackson's response discuss the important work of the Commission and the DEP outlines the cooperative lake management initiatives underway in the Lake Hopatcong Watershed as well as the need to establish a stable source of funding.

Updated:  04/14/2010