Gottheimer Meets with New Jersey Leaders as State Announces Steps to Address Harmful Algae Bloom

Major Issue for Businesses, Tourists, Residents in Lake Hapatcong & Greenwood Lake Region

New plan is a win-win-win for the environment, local businesses, and state recreation

LANDING, NJ – Today, Monday, November 18, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) met with New Jersey congressional, state, local, and environmental leaders as the State of New Jersey announced steps to combat Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Jersey’s lakes.

Within New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District, Greenwood Lake in West Milford faced Harmful Algal Blooms this past summer, which resulted in a no-contact directive from the state, impacting Fifth District businesses, families, and communities who rely on the lake for recreation, tourism, and their livelihoods.

Similarly, Gottheimer also noted that with Lake Hopatcong as the largest lake in North Jersey, its Harmful Algal Blooms are impacting the regional economy, affecting businesses and families in the Fifth District too.

“I’d like to thank our state officials, especially those from my District – Senator Oroho, Assemblyman Wirths, Assemblyman Space – for working so closely together over the last few months to address the algae bloom,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) today. “I’m very grateful for the partnership and investment the state is announcing today to prevent another summer of algae that wreaked havoc on our lakes, our businesses, our residents, and our broader community. It will tackle everything from preventing run-off and improving sewer systems to prevention and treatment projects. Today’s actions are good for our environment, good for our economy, good for our eco-tourism, and good for the health and safety of our families. It’s a win-win-win.”

Gottheimer participated in today’s announcement at the  Lake Hopatcong Foundation along with Governor Phil Murphy, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Congressman Tom Malinowski, Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblyman Hal Wirths, Assemblyman Parker Space, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and local elected mayors and councilmembers.