WEST MILFORD — A bill that would divert $500,000 from state boat registration fees to manage and maintain Greenwood Lake each year passed muster with the state Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Monday.The bill, which returns to the Senate for review, mirrors recently adopted legislation establishing an annually renewing $500,000 fund for Lake Hopatcong. The bill's sponsor, state Senator Joseph Pennacchio, said he is seeking to guarantee Greenwood Lake stewards that same ability to safeguard their lake and the 3.5 millio...
WEST MILFORD — A bill that would divert $500,000 from state boat registration fees to manage and maintain Greenwood Lake each year passed muster with the state Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Monday.
The bill, which returns to the Senate for review, mirrors recently adopted legislation establishing an annually renewing $500,000 fund for Lake Hopatcong. The bill's sponsor, state Senator Joseph Pennacchio, said he is seeking to guarantee Greenwood Lake stewards that same ability to safeguard their lake and the 3.5 million people that use its water each day.
“Greenwood Lake is a wonderful resource for New Jersey,” said Pennacchio, who represents portions of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties. “It is practical public policy for our state to establish a dedicated funding source to ensure the preservation of this treasured natural resource.”
Crossing into New York State, the 1,920-acre lake is a popular destination for recreational boaters, fishers, and water sports enthusiasts. Greenwood Lake is also the headwaters for the Monksville and Wanaque reservoirs that provide water to much of North Jersey.
For decades, however, the lake’s shallow New Jersey end has been choked by invasive aquatic plants and made dangerous by loosening lakebed stumps. The bi-state commission tasked with its protection and preservation has likewise been confounded by a lack of steady funding for stump reduction, plant removal, and herbicide treatment programs.
An attempt to gain revenue through lake user fees for boaters about eight years ago failed due to a lack of coordination between state lawmakers in New York and New Jersey.
“It’s the first time in the 16-year history of this commission that we’ve ever gotten this far towards permanent funding, said Paul Zarrillo, the Greenwood Lake Commission’s New Jersey chair. “It’s much needed and well overdue.”
The Senate Environment Committee unanimously approved the bill to return to the Senate floor. If adopted, S-2167 would set aside $500,000 each year solely for the maintenance, protection and enhancement of the New Jersey end of the lake.
Tim Wagner, West Milford’s council president, was with Zarrillo in Trenton on Monday lobbying for the bill. Wagner said he is hopeful the bill gains enough bi-partisan support to get through the legislature in time for the 2019 budget.
“We’re confident we’re going to get the support, but you never know,” Wagner said.
Zarrillo added: “It’s just a great first step. We have a long way to go.”