rap #86 05/13/09

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED NEAR LACEY TOWNSHIP LAKE

WATER QUALITY at Lake Barnegat in the Forked River Section of Lacey Township will be further improved with the installation of new stormwater quality units later this year.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders will seek bids for the estimated $600,000 project along Lakeside Drive South, Lakeside Drive North, and Deer Head Lake Drive.

Freeholder John P. Kelly said the new system will reduce the amount of sediment, debris, road oils, and nutrients in the storm runoff generated by surrounding roadways and residential properties.

“The end result will be cleaner water in the lake,” said Kelly, who is liaison to the Ocean County Engineer’s Office.

Both municipal and county drainage and outfall lines will be improved once the project is complete.

The County will construct the stormwater improvements during the fall season after the lakes are lowered for winter maintenance.

“We don’t want to interfere with the summer swimming season,” Kelly said.

Lake Barnegat is a popular beach destination in Lacey Township.

Work should be complete in about four months.

A second phase of this project will follow next year to address the outfall lines located at Lake Barnegat Beach.

Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr. said water quality at the county’s rivers, lakes, beaches and the bay remains a priority of the Board of Freeholders.

“Improving our storm drains and the way stormwater runoff enters our rivers, lakes and streams is just one way we can help keep our water clean and safe for swimming,” Bartlett said.

The Freeholders also called on residents and visitors to do their part by cleaning up after their dogs and not throwing garbage onto the ground, where it can easily wash into nearby storm drains.

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