Pollution Threatens New Jersey's Lake Hopatcong

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by dakota560

Cutting, grinding and or polishing granite can have serious health impacts. Granite contains a mineral known as crystalline silica which when cut and if inhaled causes serious health risks, primarily scarring in the lungs that leads to lung cancer along with other adverse side effects. To help prevent the crystalline from becoming airborne, water filtration is used to mitigate the risk. Apparently that water is what's being discharged into Lake Hopatcong as the Weldon quarry located near Woodport is a granite site. Unconscionable in this day and age with environmental awareness that would be allowed especially in New Jersey's largest lake community but I'm sure like everything else money and politics are involved.

Was walleye fishing on the big lake last night and came across a gentleman who has lived on the lake for 50 years. Told me he's seen hundreds of dead sunnies, bluegills and golden shiners recently, first time he's ever seen that number of dead fish in a concentrated area. I saw a half dozen myself throughout the night and as mentioned water was more murky than normal. Don't know it that was a result of the rain we had yesterday but have to wonder if it has anything to do with this quarry disposing of essentially toxic waters into the lake.

Called DEP but I'd hope they're already aware of the issue, waiting to hear back. Asked the gentlemen I spoke to last night to do the same so hopefully he does since he has the information where the fish kill was observed. If this has a negative impact on the herring population or egg production in the lake, the impacts will be significant.

Waste water discharge and control should be a part of the quarries DEP operating permit. Failure to comply and re mediate is grounds for shut down of operations.