Wesley Lake. Ocean Grove side. Paul Goldfinger photoBy Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
RE-POST FROM 2019.
This is what Blogfinger said on Nov. 15, 2019, when we reported on that infamous and incomplete Planning Board meeting of November 13, 2019 regarding the new North End Redevelopment Plan:
“What about the ground water pipe from Wesley Lake that discharges into the ocean? The new development will dump its dirty ground water into the Lake. Who has promised that the system will work and be maintained? That should be in writing.
“The developers’ engineer said that dumping that dirty water into the ocean is a ‘good thing’ because ‘you can’t flood the ocean.’ He also claimed that the pipe contains a ‘water quality device,’ but nobody knows if it actually works or how it works. Should we trust this developer to care about the environment?”
Now (11/19) we have learned that the Wesley Lake Commission, particularly the Asbury Park contingent, is interested in this subject. We heard from Doug McQueen, an involved and knowledgeable member of the Commission. He has expressed his concern in writing about a “potential negative impact” which the proposed North End Plan might cause due to increased dirty ground water dumping into the Lake.
He has contacted the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection and the Green Acres program.
His information to us indicates that Jersey Shore towns, including our two towns, have been dumping ground water into their lakes for many years, and any township can give permission to a developer to do so.
But, since Wesley Lake is part of Green Acres, the two towns are “encumbered” by regulations that should forbid such increased pollution without going through a complex procedure with the Green Acres program.
McQueen is concerned that the developers and the towns might seek loopholes which would permit the OGNED North End development to dirty the lake (and secondarily the ocean) even more.
It is encouraging that at least one official body is taking an interest in protecting Wesley Lake. As you all know, Wesley Lake is shared by A. Park and Neptune (the town, not the planet.). So finally, the folks on the A. Park side are appropriately worried about the Lake as it relates to what is planned on the Ocean Grove side. (North End Re4development Plan)
We will look forward to learning more about the WLC’s efforts.
DON SHIRLEY from the soundtrack of the movie Green Book. “The Lonesome Road.”
Editor’s note:
Here is a link to a 2019 article on this topic by Jack Bredin:
And, if you think that concern about the Lake is something new, this Letter to the Editor appeared in April 4, 1901 in the Shore Press--based in Asbury Park, headlined “Complain to Ocean Grove officials”–a letter to the editor:
“The practice of the Ocean Grove authorities in dumping refuse taken from the bottom of Wesley Lake on the lots and streets in close proximity to residences in Ocean Grove is reprehensible and deserving of the severest censure. This vile smelling refuse will certainly not be conducive to good health.
“There are many poor people in Ocean Grove who miss the money they are obliged to pay for having the ashes carted away, and I think I am right when I say that no germs or diseases are found in ashes.
“But this vile, rank smelling refuse must be filled with disease germs when the hot, dry winds of spring and summer scatter them all through town. How can it be otherwise?
“Can’t some action be taken to stop this nuisance?
Indignant Ocean Grover.
EDITOR’S NOTE APRIL 2021. We need an update from the Wesley Lake Commission to tell the public if they have reviewed the NJDEP reports regarding the OGNED (North End Plan) CAFRA application as it pertains to Wesley Lake ground water issues.
In reviewing their minutes on line from Jan, Feb and March 2021, there is no indication that they are paying any attention to the OGNED plans to keep Wesley Lake clean. OGNED should have included such plans in their CAFRA application.
Where is the WLC on this?
—-Blogfinger.net April 2021.
I have no idea how popular the lake’s swan boat concession is, but I’ve often wondered if the murky water turns off some customers. Personally, I wouldn’t want to paddle around in that watery pollution, but perhaps the customers don’t know what we locals know about the lake.
At least in 1881 the Board of Health was trying to improve the quality of water in Wesley Lake. Now there seems to be no Board of Health to concern itself with pollution in the Lake. The Wesley Lake Commission refers to “dirty ground water” draining into the Lake. They are referring to water coming mostly off the roads in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove, but mostly from A. Park which has seen a great deal of development in recent years.
When rain hits grassy areas, it mostly soaks harmlessly into the ground.
Thank you for making the point that concern about W.L. goes way back without any solution since then.
Now there is no human fecal pollution reported; they are talking about goose and dog feces, fertilizers, dirt, chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, and any other worrisome materials being swept into the Lake by rain and melting snow.
The North End Re-development might become responsible for more dirty ground water unless the developers have convinced the DEP that they have a workable plan to combat pollution.
The pollution of Wesley Lake was complained about within the first ten years of Ocean Grove’s founding.
Ocean Grove Record 19 Feb. 1881:
“The township ordinances we learn are to be enforced against all parties responsible for what may be adjudged nuisances about the headwaters of Wesley Lake.
‘Uncle’ Britton White agrees very promptly to comply with all reasonable suggestions from the Board of Health, and will clear out all that colony of squatters west of the railroad so that their drainage shall not pollute the waters of Wesley Lake.”—
I am not certain what “dirty water” is meant from the North End redevelopment. Rain currently falling on the vacant lot goes somewhere. Rainwater draining into the lake from roofs would actually improve matters.
At an early date, an artesian well was drilled at the head of the lake specifically to drain into it.
It is true that OG ground water goes into WEsley and Fletcher Lakes, but as for WL, the OG contribution is small compared to Asbury’s. AP should be concerned. BLOGFINGER has been complaining about it for years.
If ground water (containing geese droppings, dog droppings, oil) is allowed to flow into the ocean, it will close the beaches after every rain. Great for tourism and business (not).