Water Chestnuts are an invasive plant species in Greenwood Lake. The seeds below the leaves are sharp and if they are pulled out at the wrong time they burst and spread dozens of seeds. If you see these plants, do not pull them out. Please notify us… — Water Chestnuts are an invasive plant species in Greenwood Lake. The seeds below the leaves are sharp and if they are pulled out at the wrong time they burst and spread dozens of seeds. If you see these plants, do not pull them out. Please notify us of their location so we can send out volunteers in mid-summer when it is safe to pull them from the water.

Ways You Can Help

Attend monthly Commission meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month (Senior Center in Greenwood Lake, NY. Hillcrest Community building in West Milford, NJ. Meetings start at 7PM, alternating monthly between NY and NJ)
Contact your local, county, and state legislatures to support ongoing efforts of the Commission
Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides (only non-phosphorus fertilizers are permitted)
Use and dispose hazardous products properly
Do not pollute storm drains
Clean up after your pet
Don't feed wildlife
Pump out septics
Replace foam dock floats with rigid plastic floats
Don't litter
Dispose all waste properly

Helpful NJDEP Links

1. The Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Enforcement (CLUE) is responsible for
enforcing the regulatory programs established under six (6) separate
environmental protection statutes: the Waterfront and Harbor Facilities
Act; the (Coastal) Wetlands Act of 1970; the Coastal Area Facilities
Review Act; the Flood Hazard Area Control Act; the Freshwater Wetlands
Protection Act; and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. All
of these statutes provide authority for the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection to regulate development (including clearing of
vegetation and filling) within environmentally sensitive areas such as
beaches, dunes, wetlands and floodplains. See the following link for more
information:

http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/clue.html

2. The Highlands Council is a 15-member appointed body tasked with
implementation of the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning
Act of 2004. The Highlands Council is advised in its actions by its
Executive Director, who serves as the chief administrative officer of the
Council. The Executive Director is assisted by and oversees the operations
of a professional staff of planners, science experts, geographic
information specialists and administrative personnel, based in Chester,
NJ. See the followinglink for more information:

http://www.nj.gov/njhighlands/

3. Dam Safety - In 1912, the legislature of the State of New Jersey
instituted laws relating to the construction, repair, and inspection of
existing and proposed dam structures. The law was amended in 1981 and
became known as the Safe Dam Act. New Jersey's Dam Safety program is
administered by DEP's Division of Engineering & Construction, Dam Safety
Section, under the rules and regulations promulgated in May 1985 known as
the Dam Safety Standards. See the followinglink for more information:

http://www.nj.gov/dep/damsafety/

4. The mission of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is to protect
and manage the State's fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term
biological, recreational and economic values for all New Jerseyans. The
Agency goals are to:

* To maintain New Jersey’s rich variety of fish and wildlife species at
stable, healthy levels and to protect and enhance the many habitats on
which they depend.

* To educate New Jerseyans on the values and needs of our fish and
wildlife and to foster a positive human/wildlife co-existence.
* To maximize the recreational and commercial use of New Jersey’s fish
and wildlife for both present and future generations.

Located within the Division of Fish and Wildlife are the Bureaus of
Freshwater Fisheries, Wildlife Management, and Fisheries Production, as
well as the Endangered and Non-Game Species Program. See the following
link for more information:

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/about.htm

5. Since the mid-1800's, the New Jersey Geological Survey has experienced
many changes. The mission of the Survey has recently been expanded to
include water resource planning and regulatory functions. These
responsibilities have been added to the geoscience mapping, research and
interpretive roles traditionally overseen at the Survey. While the Water
Allocation and Well Permitting programs have always been supported by the
Survey, these NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulatory
programs are now its direct responsibility. With this expanded role, the
Survey will continue to provide governmental agencies, the business
community and the public with information necessary to address
environmental concerns and make economic decisions.

The Survey's name has changed to reflect these added initiatives. Now
known as the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey, it is organized into
two Bureaus: the Bureau of Water Resources and Geoscience, led by Bureau
Chief David Pasicznyk, will continue to meet the more traditional role of
the Survey, and the Bureau of Water Allocation and Well Permitting, led by
Bureau Chief Terry Pilawski, will manage the water regulatory program.

http://www.nj.gov/dep/njgs/

6. The Green Acres Mission is to achieve, in partnership with others, a
system of interconnected open spaces, whose protection will preserve and
enhance New Jersey's natural environment and its historic, scenic, and
recreational resources for public use and enjoyment. The Green Acres
Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey's growing recreation and
conservation needs. Together with public and private
partners<http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres/link.html>, Green Acres has
protected over half a million acres of open space and provided hundreds of
outdoor recreational facilities in communities around the State.

http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres/

7. Water Monitoring and Standards (WM&S) has primary responsibility for
ambient monitoring of the State’s fresh, marine, and ground waters,
development of surface and ground water quality standards, and water
quality characterizations and assessment. The program provides monitoring
and water quality information, via collection, analysis and distribution
of data and reports, for use by DEP, other organizations, and the public
to make informed environmental and public health decisions. Within WM&S,
see Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring, and Bureau of
Environmental Analysis, Restoration and Standards:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bfbm/

8. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/

9. Division of Land Use Regulation - Managing New Jersey’s land is a critical
function of the Department of Environmental Protection’s overall
environmental protection strategy. In recognition of the intimate tie
between land use and the health and quality of our streams, estuaries,
coastal waters, wetlands, wildlife habitat and our drinking water, the New
Jersey legislature has charged the Department with regulating land use
activities.

The Department’s Division of Land Use Regulation fulfills this obligation
by regulating land use activities through a permit process in accordance
with the rules promulgated in support of the following statutes:
Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 13:9B et
seq.<http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/download/13_9b.pdf>), Flood Hazard Area
Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:16A), Wetlands Act of 1970 (N.J.S.A. 13:9A-1 et.
seq.<http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/download/13_9a.pdf>), Coastal Area
Facility Review Act (N.J.S.A. 13:19-1 et
seq.<http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/download/13_19.pdf>), Waterfront
Development Law (N.J.S.A.
12:5-3<http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/download/12_5_3.pdf>), Tidelands Act
(N.J.S.A. 12:3<http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/download/12_3.pdf>), NJ Water
Pollution Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10A et
seq.<http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/download/58_10a.pdf>), and the
Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (P.L. 2004,
c.120<http://www.nj.gov/dep/highlands/docs/highlands_bill.pdf>).

http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/index.html

10. The New Jersey Natural Heritage Program identifies the state's most
significant natural areas through a comprehensive inventory of rare plant
and animal species and representative ecological communities. From the
inventory, the Natural Heritage Database compiles information on the
distribution, biology, status, and preservation needs of these species and
communities. Established in 1984 through a cooperative agreement between
The Nature Conservancy, a private conservation organization, and the
Department of Environmental Protection, full administration of the program
was assumed by the DEP in 1986.

The New Jersey Natural Heritage Program is part of an international
network including State Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data
Centers, all building on the same data collection methodology. The
Database is updated continuously and is used to set state, national, and
global priorities for the preservation of natural diversity.

http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/

11. Division of Parks and Forestry

http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/

12. The Bureau of Licensing and Pesticide Operations (BL&PO) provides
administrative support for the following professional licensing and/or
certification programs:

* Landscape Irrigation Contractors<http://www.nj.gov/dep/exams/lic.htm>
* Pesticides (Licensing, Exam Info, Products,
Permits)<http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpo-pesticide-links.htm>
* Underground Storage Tank Contractors<http://nj.gov/dep/exams/ust.htm>
* Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
Operators<http://nj.gov/dep/exams/wsw.htm>

The BL&PO performs the required administrative process functions to meet
the licensing and/or certification program demands:

* Reviews and processes applications
* Schedules and administers exams
* Issues certifications, licenses, and permits
* Tracks individual continuing education credits
* Does customer assistance, educational outreach, and training
* Facilitates licensing Board, advisory, and stakeholder meetings

http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpo.htm

Lake regulations

Permits are required for replacing and/or building a new bulk head and/or boat house.
Permits are available from NJ DEP to use Individual, Business or Association herbicides in front of ones property.
Speed limit: 45MPH from dawn to dusk / 15MPH from dusk to dawn.

DOCK REGULATIONS/Repair

Retaining walls, seawalls, bulkheads, etc. would be considered an improvement to a single family dwelling, and are eligible for a Highlands Rules "in-house" exemption under 7:38-2.4(b)1. "In-house" means you don't have to apply for a formal Highlands exemption. This "in-house" exemption is valid, so long as it pertains to a single family dwelling lawfully in existence on August 10, 2004 or prior, and provided the lot upon which the home is situated has not been further subdivided since August 10, 2004. All other property owners (such as commercial marinas) must apply for, and receive, a formal Highlands exemption, NJAC 7:38-2.3(a)4. West Milford is authorized to issue these latter exemptions.
There any number of Freshwater Wetlands permits that may/may not be required, depending on each particular situation of what the land owner would like to do. These may include General Permit Nos. 1, 13, 19, 20, and 26 or in some cases an Individual Permit. In some situations, a Freshwater Permit is not required. There are many scenarios with near and in-water situations, and sometimes there is no easy answer on whether permits are required. The NJDEP should be contacted for guidance on your individual circumstance.
Under the Flood Hazard Rules, what permits may/may not be required also depends on the particular situation, no easy answer. However, if needed, available permits are Permit-By-Rule and Individual Permit. Again, call the NJDEP for guidance.
Due to its being an interstate water, Greenwood Lake is a non-assumed water; therefore, in addition to any required DEP permits, property owners must apply to and receive a Nationwide Permit from USACOE.

For more information about current conditions of Greenwood Lake, please visit waterdata.usgs.gov/nj/nwis/rt

North Jersey District Water Supply Commission http://www.njdwsc.com/

New Jersey Highlands Coalition http://www.njhighlandscoalition.org/

New Jersey Highlands Council http://www.highlands.state.nj.us/

Highlands Economic Development & Tourism Corporation njheat.org

Township of West Milford westmilford.org

Village of Greenwood Lake villageofgreenwoodlake.org

Town of Warwick townofwarwick.org

Passaic County, New Jersey passaiccountynj.org

Orange County, New York co.orange.ny.us

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) state.nj.us/dep

NJDEP Divsion of Fish and Wildlife state.nj.us/dep/fgw