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Opinion ... Those nasty, toxic algae blooms in our lakes would vanish if towns use the tool Trenton gave them | Opinion
Lake Hopatcong closed Thanks to Gov. Phil Murphy, and bipartisan action of the legislature, municipalities can now establish stormwater utilities. A stormwater utility, which is an effective solution and already implemented in 41 other states, is a funding mechanism for stormwater management programs, and by far the most fair and equitable way to address water quality issues such as HABs, Julia Somers says. Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey’s largest lake, one of many tucked into the famed and scenic Highlands. It’s a glorious spot beloved by the people who live, visit and vacation there, including the tourists who flee to their summer rental homes, spending the money that supports the local economy. However, this summer was a different story — a massive and lingering Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) affected lake waters nearly all season, significantly limiting recreational access. A primary culprit was stormwater runoff. As rain runs off hard or compacted surfaces such as parking lots and lawns, it takes with it contaminants, carried by streams or pipes, mixing with other pollutants and sediments, becoming a nutrient-filled cocktail with high levels of phosphorus draining into the lake, creating conditions perfect for HABs to thrive. This summer’s Lake Hopatcong HAB has been called the worst on record — advisories closed beaches and recommended no swimming, fishing, or water contact. Unfortunately, it was not the only one. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey alone experienced 39 confirmed HABs, with many more suspected. Reservoirs, lakes and ponds throughout the entire state were affected, limiting access to drinking water and recreation, echoing the events that unfolded at Lake Hopatcong. New Jersey is seeing the real effects of climate change, and it’s vital we begin to make changes now if we want to save our local economies, improve our water quality and ensure New Jersey’s precious resources are protected for future generations to enjoy. Failures in local and regional planning to mitigate for HAB will only make these issues worse, and towns need to become proactive to mitigate for future HABs. Thanks to Gov. Phil Murphy, and bipartisan action of the legislature, municipalities can now establish stormwater utilities. A stormwater utility, which is an effective solution and already implemented in 41 other states, is a funding mechanism for stormwater management programs, and by far the most fair and equitable way to address water quality issues such as HABs. It allows a town, county or sewage authority to assess a fee based on the amount of a property’s impervious surface. The more impervious surface a property has, the more stormwater is generated and the more pollutants it can transport to our already impaired waterways. It’s important to note that the average homeowner or renter need not worry — since it’s based on a “polluters pay” principle, large commercial properties such as warehouses and big department stores will pay the largest fees, due to their big parking lots and extensive walkways. It’s also important to note that a utility is the least expensive way to address the cost of stopping HABs. How do we know? Nearly 1,800 of them operate in the United States today. Yes, New Jersey is late to the party. As the most densely populated state, with over 12% impervious cover, we need action now. A stormwater utility raises the funds to pay for green infrastructure projects to manage stormwater by intercepting pollutants before they enter our lakes. These funds are legally dedicated; they cannot be diverted to a municipality’s general fund, and can only be used to correct stormwater problems, which have resulted from cumulative land-use decisions made over time by municipalities. Governor Murphy has taken an important first step, but unless towns take the next step and form stormwater utilities, our lakes will continue to suffer. Towns face a daunting reality — what will happen if our lakes face more HABs? Yet, it seems inevitable without action. We are already seeing the devastating impacts to our regional economy and home values have been dropping fast. Do we really want to wait and see? Stormwater utilities work, they are popular and politically bipartisan — they exist in blue and red states in equal measure. Across the country they are a proven solution because they are the most cost-effective, equitable way to protect our cherished lakes, bays and reservoirs. What are we waiting for? Julia Somers is the executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
By Julia Somers ... By Star-Ledger Guest Columnist ... Julia Somers is the executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition.
| Posted Jan 24, 2020 The text being discussed is available at | https://www.nj.com/opinion/2020/01/those-nasty-toxic-algae-blooms-in-our-lakes-would-vanish-if-towns-use-the-tool-trenton-gave-them-opinion.html and |