DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Wednesday , July 26 , 2023 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Study shows snail species being found on Hammonton Lake
LAKE , from Page 1 the warming lake or the utricularia beginning of phytoplankton growth , which then changes the pH of the lake ,” Committee Chair Dan Bachalis said . “ That could be strictly heat-driven or it could be accelerated by the addition of nutrients from people ’ s lawns .”
Bachalis said that Witt is taking more samples on the lake and will continue doing so going forward .
Also , a 10-page study was conducted by Carly Conticchio on native and non-native snails in Hammonton Lake . The report points out the broad density of three snails : non-native , bandedmystery , which were introduced to the lake from the south , pouch snails , and round-horned snails .
“ The point that I ’ m coming away with is that there ’ s a lot more going on in the lake than we knew about and a lot more complexity of ‘ who ’ s keeping the lake clean ? Is it a threat to native species or what is going on ?’ “ Bachalis said .
The studies and questions led to discussion of the Mullica River watershed plan and how far do Hammonton Lake issues reach , what is their impact , and whether there are threatened and endangered species in the lake .
The committee believes these questions can help bolster a
2024 grant request to conduct a lake characterization study that could lead to a new lake management plan . The committee and Stockton University are looking to enlist marine biologists and chemists to help with the study and could interest the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection , according to Bachalis .
In other committee developments , DuBois Environmental Consultants will be working on conducting a threatened and endangered species study on the lake , with Adams , Rehmann and Heggan ( ARH ) Associates supervising DuBois ’ s study .
“ I spoke with the mayor and
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Mark Herrmann of ARH and Mark had indicated that at least one person on staff may have some experience in that area but they took the task of contacting an outside service , which I think was the way to go ,” Bachalis said . “ You want a group that ’ s not a part of the town so that there ’ s no conflict of interest in the findings .”
It was unclear when DuBois will begin the study .
Member John Keenan mentioned that state agencies won ’ t reveal the location of threatened and endangered species due to fear that people will go in to the lake and do harmful things . Bachalis said that while there are federal and state jurisdictions , state agencies have a responsibility to advise municipalities of which reports the species have been identified in .
The committee is also asking members of the public to attend future meetings to address their concerns and see what the public can do to improve the lake . Meetings are open to the public . The next meeting will be Aug . 8 at 7 p . m . at the Hammonton Canoe Club .
DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Est . 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio 1 ( 800 ) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597
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