MORRIS COUNTY — Recent water tests have shown that the bacteria level in Lake Hopatcong is more than double the level considered safe, according to a report by NJ.com. Bacteria in the algae blooms can cause skin rashes, and accidentally consuming lake water can lead to serious health reactions, including pneumonia, blisters, and gastrointestinal distress. Any fish caught in the lake are also currently unsafe to eat.

“Our number one priority must be to protect the public, and right now, Lake Hopatcong could be dangerous. I fully support the NJ DEP’s decision. There is no other choice. The public swimming beaches along the lake must be closed immediately,” Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said. “We sponsored legislation to create the Lake Hopatcong Fund because we care deeply about this lake, as well as the people who live there, and the many who visit every year. It’s one of New Jersey’s crown jewels. We will work diligently with the NJ DEP  to ensure we can clean up the lake and reopen public beach access as quickly as we can.”

“We have spent many years fighting for Lake Hopatcong, because we understand how important this resource is to our region,” Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) said. “Lake Hopatcong drives our local economy and generates tourism and economic revenue for the entire state. It’s a beloved destination for families throughout the country. The NJ DEP’s recommendation is the right call, and we will do everything we can to restore safety conditions as soon as possible.”

“I know that there will be a number of families, near and far, who will be heartbroken by the decision to close public beach access to the lake, especially given the time of year,” Senator Steven Oroho(R-24) said. “That being said, the state has a responsibility to keep people safe from harm. We can’t ignore these high levels of toxic algae. I urge local residents and tourists to follow the DEP’s recommendation to avoid all contact with the water. In the meantime, we will work tirelessly to restore this lake to its former glory.”

The NJ DEP on June 27 issued a statement recommending that local authorities close all public swimming beaches along Lake Hopatcong, a four-square mile lake located between Sussex and Morris Counties. The algae was found near the west shore of the lake, as well as near Byram Bay Beach and Sand Harbor Beach.

Warning signs have been posted and the public swimming beaches cannot be reopened until the state has conducted multiple water tests confirming the levels of bacteria in the lake are safe.

The NJDEP stated that anyone who sees a harmful algal bloom (HAB) can report the bloom by calling the DEP Hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337) send a mobile alert through the WARN NJDEP mobile app, or report via the DEP’s HAB website by clicking here.

Questions regarding the freshwater harmful algal bloom strategy can be directed to the NJ DEP’s Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring at (609) 292-0427.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Advisory Committee on Women will award its second “Seeds of Change” award this fall to a woman who has worked to improve our community, and been a leader and inspiration for other women in the county.

The award is inspired by the example of the late State Sen. Leanna Brown, who was a groundbreaking female political leader in Morris County,

The Committee is seeking nominations for the award, with a July 30 deadline for submissions.

The Seeds of Change Award seeks to highlight and celebrate women who build up other women. Often it is those who work at the roots levels who go unrecognized, but the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women would like to demonstrate its appreciation for those grassroots efforts through this new Freeholder Award.

The recipient of the Seeds of Change Award must meet the following required criteria:

• Age 18 or above;
• A woman residing in Morris County;
• Active in grassroots efforts to advance a women’s-focused cause in Morris County;
• Be a volunteer or participate in community activities connected to women’s-focused causes.

It is preferred, but not required, that the recipient be linked with a cause of current interest to the Advisory Committee on Women. Current areas of interest include housing and homelessness, human trafficking, incarcerated women, and women in the military or female veterans.

Nominations will be sought from community and civic groups, government and nonprofit agencies, and for-profit organizations throughout Morris County.

The first “Seeds of Change Award’’ was presented in 2018 to Lila Bernstein of Mendham Township.

Lila Bernstein’s record of accomplishment is extensive. She has been very active in many organizations, such as the Morris County Youth Services Advisory Committee, Mendham Township Library, Morris County Child Placement Review Board, N.J. Child Placement Advisory Council, Jewish Family Service’s Rachel Coalition, National Council of Jewish Women, and the Jewish Women’s Foundation of N.J., among others.

In 1972, Leanna Brown became the first woman elected as a Morris County Freeholder, and the second women to serve in that capacity (Margaret D. Baker was appointed in 1932 to fill an unexpired term). Following her freeholder term, Leanna Brown went on to serve in many other important capacities.  She was the first Republican women to serve in the New Jersey State Senate. She was a driving force behind the creation of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women.

Nominations for the Seeds of Change Award should be submitted by email to Allison Delcalzo-Berens at allison.delcalzo@atlantichealth.org. For more information, please contact Gayle Pearson at (201) 874-7687 or g.pearson@rutgers.edu.

Please describe the grassroots work that the candidate has done, including whether it is through volunteerism or employment, the location of the work, the cause and some details about why this candidate stands out:

You may attach no more than one page of additional information for the committee to consider when making selections.

TRENTON — For the second time in a month, the Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to ban the leasing of dogs and cats. With today’s vote, the Assembly accepted Senate amendments exempting purebred cats and dogs leased for breeding and animals trained as police K-9s and guide dogs.

Sponsored by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney, the legislation (A4552/A4385) addresses deceitful leasing, which has become increasingly popular. As pet stores and breeders scramble to sell expensive puppies while they are young and most attractive to buyers, some resort to leasing contracts to place animals.

“You’re not buying a dog, you are renting it,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “The lease can double or triple the cost, and with some dogs going as high as $5,000, it can add up fast. Families can suffer a serious financial hit, and if they miss a payment, the family pet can be repossessed.”

When the lease is up, typically in three years, there can still be a final payment that must be made before ownership of the pet is transferred, explained Rooney, who first introduced the measure as A3970 on May 17, 2018.

“Families looking to bring a pet into the home can easily fall in love with a dog or cat they can’t afford,” Rooney noted. “Breeders sign them up for a payment plan, but usually the offer is too good to be true. Buyers end up signing a lease without understanding the fine print or knowing the total cost.”

Rooney’s bill establishes a penalty of $10,000 for leasing a dog or cat, and $30,000 each for additional violations.

New Jersey would be the fourth state to prohibit the predatory practice. California, Nevada and New York recently passed bans, and bills have been introduced in several other states.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Heritage Commission, in cooperation with the Daughters of the American Revolution, are presenting a special display on the history of the American Flag at the Morris County Library through July 15.

The display is timed to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day.

The legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 took place when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence declaring the United States free from Great Britain’s rule.

The Flag Resolution of June 1777 was the first recorded meeting, discussion, or debate by Congress about a national flag.  It simply stated, “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

Flags that few during times of war and national crises from the colonial era through the mid-twentieth century are on display in the lobby and second floor at the County Library.

These flags not only marked important periods in American history but through the symbolism show the nation’s development.

Included in the exhibit are period photographs and other materials related to the stars and stripes.

The Heritage Commission staff and members of the Morristown Chapter of the DAR worked together to bring this exhibit to the public. The goal is to give visitors to the library a better appreciation of the changes to our flag and the history that is symbolically represented in the stars and stripes.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1946, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The National Flag Day Foundation holds an annual observance for Flag Day on the second Sunday in June.

The Morris County Library is located at 30 East Hanover Avenue, Whippany directly across the street from the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.

For more information on the Morris County Heritage Commission click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Department of Environmental Protection is advising the public to avoid swimming in or contact with Lake Hopatcong water due to an extensive Harmful Algal Bloom, or HAB, confirmed this week by aerial surveillance.

Using highly specialized sensors, the DEP’s Division of Water Monitoring and Standards’ aerial surveillance on Wednesday confirmed that large areas of Lake Hopatcong are experiencing cyanobacteria blooms. The rapid spread of the bloom may be the result of heavy rainfall carrying nutrient-laden stormwater into the lake, followed by periods of warm weather. The DEP will monitor cyanobacteria levels until the lake is determined to be safe for recreational contact. Based on the widespread nature of the HAB, the recreational advisory may be in place for weeks, if not longer. The duration of a Harmful Algal Bloom is unpredictable and may be influenced by availability of nutrients and weather conditions. In many cases in 2018, HAB was observed on water bodies well into the fall season. Often referred to as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria are not true algae but are capable of excessive growth through photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria blooms are usually a bright green, but can also appear as spilled paint, “pea soup,” or as having a thick coating or “mat” on the surface. These blooms can often be confused for typical algae blooms. Exposure can cause a range of health effects, including rashes, allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation, skin rashes and eye irritation.

As a precaution, the DEP is recommending that local health authorities close all public swimming beaches along the lake due to the widespread nature of the bloom. Straddled by Sussex, Passaic and Morris counties, Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey’s largest lake and is a popular tourist and vacation destination. The DEP is working through the Lake Hopatcong Commission to notify municipal governments and local health agencies of the advisory. Recreational exposure can occur while swimming, wading and during watersport activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, wind-surfing and paddle-boarding. The DEP is advising the public to avoid these activities and all contact with water from Lake Hopatcong until further notice. People also should not eat fish caught in the lake or allow pets to come in contact with lake water or drink the water. Limited blooms were reported and responded to by the DEP in Lake Hopatcong beginning on June 17. In recent days, the DEP has received more than 30 reports of HABs on Lake Hopatcong, including reports of people experiencing mild skin rashes after coming in contact with lake water.

Because monitoring indicated the blooms were becoming more widespread, the DEP conducted aerial surveillance using a highly specialized sensor to estimate cell counts. Estimated cell counts in many areas of the lake exceeded health guidance levels. The DEP is conducting ongoing water sampling to confirm levels. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers. Under suitable environmental conditions – sunlight, high nutrients, warm temperatures and calm water – dense cyanobacterial blooms can form. In recent years, the DEP and the New Jersey Department of Health have been enhancing Harmful Algal Bloom surveillance and response efforts across the state. In 2017, the DEP launched a campaign to educate the public about these blooms and provide resources on how to report them to the DEP. The “Avoid It and Report It” campaign advises the public to take the following steps when a suspicious bloom is observed:

• Avoid contact with water in the vicinity of the bloom, especially in areas where the bloom is dense and forms scum;
• Do not drink or consume the water;
• Do not eat fish from the waterbody;
• Keep pets and livestock away from the water;
• Do not allow animals to drink the water, eat dried algae, or groom themselves after coming into contact with the water;
• People, pets and livestock that come into contact with a bloom should rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible;
• Seek medical attention or a veterinarian if a person or animal is experiencing adverse health effects after exposure to a bloom;
• Report a suspected HAB by calling the DEP Hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337) send a mobile alert through the WARN NJDEP mobile app (available via iTunes, Google Play or Windows Phone) or report via the DEP’s HAB website by clicking here.

The state’s response strategy covers freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams with potential public access, recreational use, and freshwater bathing beaches (including licensed beaches). While these waterbodies may also be sources of drinking water in New Jersey, the focus of the response strategy is recreational use. DEP works closely with drinking water systems to plan for HABs as well as all other drinking water emergencies. The DEP’s HAB website is available by clicking here.

contains information on both freshwater cyanobacterial HABs, and a variety of marine water HABs. Highlights include an electronic cyanobacterial HAB Reporting Form, downloadable Advisory signs and flyers for use for HAB events, a general cyanobacterial fact sheet, and a more detailed fact sheet on recreational exposure and health effects related to cyanobacterial HABs. General information about cyanobacterial HABs, what to do if people or pets are exposed, links to the EPA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s HABs websites and other resources, as well as a gallery of both HAB and non-HAB photos of lakes and streams, are also provided. For questions regarding the freshwater harmful algal bloom strategy, call DEP’s Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring at (609) 292-0427 or email njcyanohabs@dep.nj.gov.