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Save the Lake 2007
Since its inception in
1910, the Lake Lackawanna Investment company has struggled to keep Lake
Lackawanna beautiful, healthy and enjoyable for all its residents. Lake
Lackawanna benefits all property owners, regardless of membership, providing
scenic beauty, increased property value, and water for the local fire
department. With membership, many recreational benefits can be enjoyed; such as
swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and social events.
As you may already know, the man-made lake, originally created on top of an
apple orchard, is slowly being filled in as dying weeds cover the lake bottom,
causing a thick layer of sediment. As sediment continues to accumulate, the
pace quickens and the life-span of the lake decreases. The weed treatment that
is performed each season is not able to stop this process, but is necessary to
make basic recreational opportunities such as swimming and boating possible.
Eventually, unfortunately, weed treatment will not be effective at all; man-made
lakes have an approximate lifespan of about 50 years, however, Lake Lackawanna
is over 95 years old. The loss of Lake Lackawanna would be a social and
economic disaster for both the immediate community, and the entire town.
Clearly, your property’s value depends on the lake’s survival!
Last year, weed treatment, taxes and insurance accounted for more than our
income earned through membership, leaving a deficit and no funds to cover even
the most rudimentary maintenance requirements at the clubhouse and beach .
Membership, of course, is optional—out of a possible 302, we have only 160
members. Membership cannot be made a requirement without changing the deed to a
home. This can only be done upon the sale of the house, or voluntarily by the
Owner. Though that is a step we wish all homeowners would take, it is unlikely
to occur.
There is a silver lining
to the cloud that hangs over Lake Lackawanna. The LLIC has been presented with
an opportunity to make a noticeable and lasting difference to the quality and
lifespan of the lake. The LLIC has applied for and received a low interest loan
from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in the amount of
$250,000, for the purpose of lake maintenance.
The loan will enable us to move
forward with a much-needed, large-scale lake remediation plan, including removal
of sediment in some parts of the lake. It is important, however, to note that
this is a loan that must be paid back. Only through the support of the entire
community will this be a successful endeavor.
We are asking for your support for the Lake Lackawanna remediation project. We
encourage our members to continue membership, and share with your neighbors the
benefits of membership and of our community. To our non-members, please take
the time to consider how important each and every membership is for the survival
of your lake, and how important your lake is to your property value and your way
of life. Only through community support will the LLIC be able to insure the
beauty and value of your property for many generations to come.
For More Information Contact:
Lake Lackawanna
PO Box 89, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Tel: 973-691-4955
FAX:
Internet: llicnews@yahoo.com
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