LAKE , from Page 1
As the meeting began with the committee reports , the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting from December was relatively short , as stated by McCullough . No decisions were made during the Parks and Recreation meeting but did discuss the opening of the Gerard V . Palma Memorial Playground at Hammonton Lake
Park .
As for the Environmental Commission , Bachalis stated that the December meeting was short as well . More will be discussed at the next meeting that will be held on Jan . 11 .
The committee then discussed their 2023 goals , which Bachalis said can help in their continuing work and something to pay
attention to . The first goal discussed is to monitor the spring 2023 herbicide application , which has been set in motion last fall .
“ That allows us to make sure that we monitor closely and work with the town when that comes to pass in late April or early May ,” Bachalis said at the meeting .
The next goal is to continue their collaboration with Stockton University . Bachalis confirmed with Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Dr . Emma L . Witt that she will do a presentation with her students on a series of studies of Hammonton Lake at the next meeting in February .
“ We have been doing an education characterization to see what vegetation we have and hopefully this year , she will be beginning some trials of an ecolab mediation technique using mushroom mycelium ,” Bachalis said at the meeting .
The next goal is to increase public communication , with methods including using “ friends ” emails and increasing their social media presence with Facebook . The committee wants to deepen their knowledge of aquatic herbicide issues . The committee believes they made the right decision regarding the herbicide application protocol given what
Wednesday , January 18 , 2023 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Lake Water Quality Committee met on January 10
they know about the issues and to continue keeping up to date .
The next goal is to collaborate with the Town of Hammonton to commence cleaning of stormwater lines that feed into Hammonton Lake . Bachalis said at the meeting that they have the new machines and are currently waiting on a timeline .
The committee is seeking new Bass Pro Shops and other grants as another goal , which the committee said they can work on this month . They also want to initiate Mullica River watershed plan application for 2024 submission to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ( NJDEP ). The NJDEP has a six year cycle where they address watershed issues in six different regions of the state , according to Bachalis .
“ 2024 is when they ’ re going to be focusing attention on the Atlantic Plain area , which we ’ re a part of . This would give us the opportunity to write a grant in order to do a whole watershed plan for the Mullica River , which we would be a part of , but also partner with other municipalities that are part of the Mullica River watershed ,” Bachalis said at the meeting .
Concerns were still raised about the status of Hammonton Lake , which is still below water levels . The committee will continue to monitor the water levels of the lake and councilman Jonathan Oliva , who was present at the meeting , will stay up to date on the lake water levels . Dwight Baldwin also emphasized the need for the committee and residents to be more “ hands-on ” with the lake .
“ It will be really good if a couple of us can meet once a month and we all get in a boat and go around and just look and I think it will be very helpful ,” Baldwin said .
To conclude the meeting , the committee added more goals to consider , such as actively monitoring lake conditions , removing pipes from the lake , having the Bass Pro Shop grant help support Stockton University with equipment for courses and activities and to increase public access to Hammonton Lake .
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