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Refilling of lake, water sale are concerns heard for GLC

| 24 Nov 2016 | 11:13
    Photo by Ann Genader Nancy E. Jessen, owner of South Shore Marina, and Pat Sarnella, representative of Greenbrook Estates Property Owners Association, are at a Greenwood Lake Commission meeting for information about status of the lake drawdown.
    Photo by Ann Genader Nancy E. Jessen, owner of South Shore Marina, and Pat Sarnella, representative of Greenbrook Estates Property Owners Association, are at a Greenwood Lake Commission meeting for information about status of the lake drawdown.
    Michael Flaherty, Greenwood Lake Commission representative from Ringwood State Park, reports that the lake level is about steady now with a downward trend of the amount of water leaving the lake.
    Michael Flaherty, Greenwood Lake Commission representative from Ringwood State Park, reports that the lake level is about steady now with a downward trend of the amount of water leaving the lake.
    Commissioner Clinton Smith wants the filling of Greenwood Lake to start soon and he is concerned that North Jersey District Water Supply Commission is considering selling water to Rockland NY.
    Commissioner Clinton Smith wants the filling of Greenwood Lake to start soon and he is concerned that North Jersey District Water Supply Commission is considering selling water to Rockland NY.
    Photo by Don Webb The view from Awosting.
    Photo by Don Webb The view from Awosting.

BY ANN GENADER
WEST MILFORD — Having enough water in Greenwood Lake to reopen her South Shore Marina for the 2017 season continues to be a concern for Nancy E. Jessen and other marina owners. This ongoing issue along with the new concern of a possible sale of North Jersey District Water Supply (NJDWS) water to Suez Water Company for Rockland County were topics at the Nov. 16 meeting of the Greenwood Lake Commission at the Hillcrest Community Center in West Milford.
Jessen said the drawdown should be stopped.
With an existing drought condition recognized in North Jersey, Jessen, other marina owners and even some commissioners share a desire to close the gates on the dam long before the scheduled date of Feb. 15, 2017. The drawdown began on Oct. 11. Several motions were proposed by commissioners during the meeting – including one to close the gate at the dam on Jan. 1.
Repair nowIn a press release on Tuesday, New Jersey Chairman Paul Zarrillo said "in all likelihood, the refill of Greenwood Lake will begin on Jan. 1, 2017."
"It's important to the residents and businesses around the lake that are planning dock and/or bulkhead repairs be done as soon as possible," he continued.
The initial goal was to drop the lake 5 feet to enable lakefront property owners to repair their docks and do other work needed on their property. As of the meeting date, state representatives said the lake was down by 4.8 feet.
Calls to halt to drawdownCommissioner Paul Sullivan’s motion to stop the outflow of the lake at this point did not get anywhere and he withdrew it.
“I vote to halt the drawdown at five feet,” said West Milford lakefront resident Clinton Smith in support of Sullivan’s motion. Smith is the representative of Gov. Chris Christie on the commission.
Zarrillo, also a lakefront resident, said people living on the lake have interests to take care of their property and need the drawdown. He said important issues that require the lake lowering include the floating island project in which truckloads of debris are being removed.
“What about those who make a living (on the lake),” countered Commissioner George Verno. He said it will take a long time to refill the lake and there is a worry in getting it refilled for the start of a new boating season.
Drawdown in 2011Five years ago, the last time there was a drawdown, the lake was two feet lower than normal by Memorial Day because of a lack of snow over the winter and a dry spring in 2012.
Commissioner Michael Flaherty of Ringwood State Park said the level of the lake since Nov. 11 has pretty much held steady and what is flowing out is about equal to what is coming in. He said there could be a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection decision to shut the gate on Jan. 1. There is a very slow downward trend in the amount of water now leaving the lake, he reported.
More discussion to comeThe commissioners expressed their concerns about the possibility of NJDWS selling water to Rockland County and this may again be a topic for discussion when the commission meets in the Village of Greenwood Lake, N.Y. on Dec. 21.
Anyone with questions about the drawdown or refilling may call the Commission office at 973-506-7800, e-mail info@gwlc.org or visit the web site at gwlc.org.