Businesses were devastated and summer plans were ruined for tourists and homeowners alike by the historic, harmful algal blooms at Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake this season.

Confusion over state warnings didn’t help. Murky messages on beach closings and advisories against swimming left visitors unsure whether boating was permitted until weeks into the disaster at Lake Hopatcong.

I am determined to prevent this from happening again. But it requires our diligence and swift state action. This newsletter outlines the problem, the actions I have taken and how we can hold the state accountable to fix the problem at these beautiful state-owned resources, which are so important to our communities.

The algal blooms are what scientists call an emerging concern, not just in New Jersey, but throughout the United States and the world. They are related to pollutants, specifically nutrients from septics, stormwater run-off and fertilizers, entering our lakes.  The hot weather and heavy rains have created optimum conditions for the blooms, which release toxins that cause anything from rashes and upset stomachs to serious neurological disorders and liver damage. Pets can die just drinking the water.

Learn more and check on lake conditions at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/hab/

State experts told me the sure way to stop the problem is by stopping the run-off of pollutants. I have submitted several proposals for immediate action to the Legislature and Governor Murphy that are outlined further in this newsletter.

You can help me prevent another disastrous summer by contacting the officials in the What We Can Do section of this newsletter and urging them to act on my proposals.

Please join me in this campaign to save our lakes, communities and businesses.

Thank you,

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce District 26