McCabe Ducking Responsibilities on Lake Hopatcong Algae Problems

Lake Hopatcong remains closed to swimming because of a toxic algae bloom that has lasted more than a month. One small portion of Lake Hopatcong in Indian Harbor has been cleared for water sports, but it’s accessible only by boat. All beaches on the lake remain closed. DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe wrote a recent OpEd piece for nj.com explaining the importance of issuing advisories for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), which can cause severe skin rashes and other illnesses. She did not address what DEP should be doing to clean up the lake.

“Instead of dealing with the problems in Lake Hopatcong and taking on the responsibility for fixing them, Commissioner McCabe is talking about how DEP is issuing advisories and the lake isn’t closed. She’s responding to Republican legislators’ criticism about the lake closures instead of doing her job and responding to the public. The whole thing is a diversion from the fact that DEP isn’t adequately protecting our waterways,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “McCabe is failing to lead, and our lakes are suffering as result. The algae problems are because of DEP’s failure to adequately enforce the Clean Water Act and deal with the nutrients from overdevelopment and stormwater runoff.”

The most recent tests taken last week showed that algae counts remain above the state health standard of 20,000 cells per milliliter at 13 of 16 beach areas tested. The algae counts were also dangerously high in 7 of 9 open water areas tested. The testing showed increases over the last tests in most areas.

“As an example of trying to divert attention from DEP’s failures, they put out a big announcement that one portion of Lake Hopatcong in Indian Harbor has re-opened to water sports. That’s one small area on an island accessible only by boat. Places where average people can swim are still closed, and according to the latest reports the algae is getting worse in many areas,” said Tittel. “McCabe said residents can help by cleaning out septic systems and using less fertilizer. She doesn’t mention that Gov. Christie got rid of Septic Management Districts and DEP still hasn’t restored them. DEP also hasn’t reversed rollbacks on Water Quality Planning and Stormwater Management rules. They also haven’t moved forward on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to limit pollutants in our lakes. Lake Hopatcong and other lakes are closing because of DEP and McCabe’s failures.

The highest algae count in last week tests at Lake Hopatcong was 78,500 cells per milliliter at Wood Port Bay. Of the 17 previously tested locations that were tested again this week, 15 showed higher algae counts. Algae at Clearwater Beach was down, and Hopatcong State Park showed a tiny decline.

“Algae problems are not just keeping nearly all of Lake Hopatcong closed, but other lakes as well. The recent hot temperatures and intense rains are making things worse. Greenwood Lake was shut down last week and remains closed from algae blooms that could last months. The Spruce Run reservoir has been off limits to swimmers for most of the season. Swartswood Lake was closed for more than a week in June. Rosedale Lake in Mercer County is also closed. Deal and Sunset lakes in Monmouth County have been under advisories, and an advisory in Lake Mohawk in Sparta that began in May was only recently lifted,” said Tittel. “DEP is monitoring and putting out advisories while nutrients continue pouring into our water turning our lakes into algae-polluted soups.”

Freshwater HABs are formed from bacteria carried in by nutrients primarily from septics and lawn and garden fertilizer. The algae can cause severe skin rashes. If swallowed the polluted water can cause abdominal pain, headaches and vomiting. Pets should also be kept away from water where the algae blooms are present.

“Instead of just conducting tests and issuing advisories, there are many things DEP can do to better protect and clean up our waterways. They can immediately treat the lakes in environmentally sound ways that will reduce the algae. They must enforce real TMDL standards to limit pollutants and restore stream buffers. We need tougher rules that will limit impervious cover and curb overdevelopment and sprawl in environmentally sensitive areas. We need strong lake management programs modeled after New York’s Lake George Commission with real authority to protect our water,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Lake Hopatcong is still closed to swimmers, and it may not re-open anytime soon. We can’t just keep warning people to stay out of the water. We need to protect and clean up our water before Lake Hopatcong and other lakes cannot be saved.”