Senator Hopes to Save Lake Hopatcong Commission

The Lake Hopatcong Commission if state Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-25) has anything to do with it.

Bucco said Friday afternoon he inserted $600,000 into the state's budget to fund the cash-strapped commission. But he said he's received no guarantees it will stay when the final budget's approved next week.

"Since the Democrats are preparing the budget, it's up to them whether they're going to leave it in or take it out," he said. "They have not said one way or another."

Bucco said the budget currently doesn't allocate money for the commission.

"It's not covered in the budget already," he said. "Lake Hopatcong is not covered in the budget. It is not a line item in the budget."

Bucco, whose district will no longer include Jefferson next year due to redistricting, said he spoke with LHC Commissioner Russ Felter several days ago. Calls to Felter weren't immediately returned. Bucco also said senators Steven Oroho (R-24) and Joe Pennacchio (R-26) backed the move.

Bucco said Lake Hopatcong's important to him. Not to mention, he said, it generates about $20 million a year for the state through fees and taxes.

"We have to keep an asset of the state of New Jersey in the pristine setting that it is," he said. "Keeping it as a recreational area not only for our residents of New Jersey, but we draw people from all over the country to Lake Hopatcong. It's not just a local issue. It's for everyone that enjoys the lake itself."

"It's a beautiful, beautiful asset for the state of New Jersey," he continued. "If we don't take care of it, eventually it will be a swamp."

Bucco's announcement came days after Felter, Jefferson's mayor, said the commission's decision to begin weed harvesting on the lake in July will drain it of most of its funds and, if it doesn't receive state funding, could shut down the commission.

"Here's the issue we have," Felter said. "If we don't do it, we're going to be out of business in a couple of months anyway. At least if we get some harvesting we can do something good for the lake."