Progress! Greenwood Lake Access Update

[muskynut]

May 9 2025

Hey everyone, hope all is well. It has been some time and most have probably forgotten/dismissed our fight for a Public Boat Launch Ramp on Greenwood Lake. To update: the original bills have been given new numbers along with a change in text from $1million to $2 million (S-3887, A4504). Given that our governor is essentially a lame duck governor at this point, we would have to wait for the next administration to continue to move forward. Recently, however, we received an email from NJOA, the administration and F&G Council:

This email contains both Departmental and Legislative information, with an update on Greenwood Lake. New Jersey DEP and NJ Fish and Wildlife, along with our Council, are pushing hard to build a ramp for recreational opportunities on Greenland Lake.

Greenwood Lake Boat Ramp Access

Progress:
Continued collaboration with Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and the Office of Resource Development

RFP for design and construction is in preparation

Addition of a floating dock for easier boat launching is now included

Target Timeline:
Ramp construction potentially begins by 2026 summer, if design and permitting stay on track

Funding: Secured

Management Question:

Ongoing discussions about long-term site management
Currently under Parks, Fish & Wildlife, pushing for oversight due to its mission alignment

Concerns raised about maintenance history at other Parks-run sites

Public Access Context:

Private marinas on Greenwood Lake no longer allow day use
Public access ramp is seen as essential to serve local recreational users

Land Use Regulation Program Update

Topic: Ramp and Parking Design in the Highlands Region

The Land Use Regulation Program is developing a ramp and parking design that complies with permitting requirements for the Highlands Region.

The proposed design includes:

19 trailer parking spots
17 standard parking spots

The design has been incorporated into a scope of work that will be sent out for bidding.

The scope of work is currently with Treasury for finalization; once completed, it will be released for bidding.

The Fish and Game Council will be provided with the final design for review once available.

Timeline Estimate: The best-case scenario for completion is one year after start-up.

Projected Cost: Approximately $1 million for full construction.


NJ Legislation:

There are a few key legislative efforts related to Greenwood Lake in New Jersey:

Funding for Lake Maintenance: A bill (S-3618) was advanced to provide $10 million for lake management activities, including water quality improvements and recreational access. Greenwood Lake and Lake Hopatcong are guaranteed a minimum grant award of $750,000.

Greenwood Lake Fund: Another bill (S-2167) proposed $500,000 annually from vessel registration fees to support lake preservation, maintenance, and environmental protection. This fund aims to address issues like toxic algae blooms, which have previously led to lake closures.

Ongoing Conservation Efforts: The Greenwood Lake Commission is actively working on weed harvesting, invasive species control, dredging studies, and stormwater management to maintain lake health.

Although its seems that things move at a snail's pace concerning NJ politics (the process) we are nevertheless moving forward. We ask that you all reach out (write/call)(only takes a couple of minutes) your representative/ entities discussed here to voice your support for our ongoing fight for access. Remember, you are all stakeholders that have purchased fishing licenses that allow you to enjoy (if you so desire) and access Greenwood Lake.....which is stocked by monies allocated from the sale of fishing license fees. Throwing up your hands and giving up ensures Greenwood Lake will become privatized with the select few enjoying its fisheries that have been created FOR YOU by Fish and Wildlife.

We will continue to keep everyone updated ....remember Greenwood today....your lake tomorrow....and YOU know it's beginning to happen elsewhere....it is just a matter of time.

Respectfully,

UFANJ

[Gerry Zagorski]

Sounds like a lot of progress is being made!

I don't fish Greenwood but support and get involved as needed because as you say "Greenwood today and your lake tomorrow"

[Dclark2]

ONE to TWO MILLION -- ARE YOU F KIDDING ME..................

[bulletbob]

Really good news! Hopefully it WILL get done finally and not turn into some nightmarish bureaucratic boondoggle cluster#@!%..

NJ and NY DEC both should hang their heads in shame and disgrace .. A lake that size stocked with fish bought by the outdoorsmen/women of NY and NJ, and they are not allowed on it???.. sickening. Someone a few years ago on an obscure outdoor forum brought up a great idea.. A letter could have been sent to every private marina on the lake stating that since it was a public lake with no access that one of their marinas would be taken in eminent domain to be utilized by the state as a public marina/launch.. Every marina would have been open to the public the next day... I understand many of the lake residents don't want the great unwashed masses on "their" lake either, and I imagine they feel justified because of the immense property taxes they pay.. I have a feeling that launch fees will be so high you'll need to take a hacksaw or something to remove a limb or two as a well as a stroller with your firstborn in it to pay the fare... Good luck , hopefully this time next year it will be underway... bob

[TollTaker]

I used to fish his lake weekly, when fishing was good(18-25 in 6 hours, mixed species). Then they stocked walleye, and the catch numbers (for me) went down. Then the Sunday launch fee went from $10 in '92 to $40 in '20. Packed up my gear and never returned...basically gave up fishing in NJ all together.

[NJSquatch]

Thanks capt Dave for the update!

[AndyS]

NJ and NY DEC both should hang their heads in shame and disgrace .. A lake that size stocked with fish bought by the outdoorsmen/women of NY and NJ, and they are not allowed on it???.. sickening.

I'm still trying to figure out why Newark Watershed gets stocked for the selected few with "permits".