January 29, 2026| Advocacy, Education, People
By: Kyle Richter and Marty Kane
Alongside hands-on environmental education programs, water quality improvement projects, and scientific monitoring, protecting Lake Hopatcong also means building strong relationships, staying connected, and having a voice in the decisions that shape our lake’s future. In a word, it takes advocacy.
Advocacy is a core pillar of our work at the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, helping ensure the lake’s needs are understood and reflected in policies, programs, and funding decisions at all levels of government.
As we begin 2026, New Jersey welcomes a new Governor. Governor Sherrill is no stranger to Lake Hopatcong, having previously served as a Congresswoman for the 11th District, which has included large parts of the lake. During her time in Congress, she visited Lake Hopatcong on multiple occasions, including joining us for a tour aboard the Foundation’s Floating Classroom.
During the transition between administrations, we were invited to play a small role on the transition team as well as to participate in a larger session on environmental issues with members of the Governor’s leadership team. This gave us an important opportunity to share key priorities, including dedicated funding for public lakes across New Jersey and increased support for the Lake Hopatcong Commission and New Jersey State Parks. These conversations are an important step in strengthening the kind of collaborative relationships that lead to lasting progress over time.
Additionally, the Governor has announced Ed Potosnak as the new Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). We have worked closely with Commissioner Potosnak through our role as a Steering Committee member of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. NJDEP is the key state agency for our lakes and we look to work closely with the Commissioner and his new staff to ensure Lake Hopatcong is protected and remains one of New Jersey’s greatest natural resources.
In addition to the new Governor, we also welcome new Assembly member, Marissa Sweeny. Since her election, we had the opportunity to sit down with Assemblywoman Sweeny at our office and discuss Lake Hopatcong’s importance to the region, the work of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and Commission, and the types of state support that are critical to sustaining long-term restoration and protection efforts.
At the same time, we continue our longstanding relationships with Senator Anthony Bucco, Senator Parker Space, and Assembly members Aura Dunn, Mike Inganamort, and Dawn Fantasia, who have worked closely with us and supported lake initiatives in the past. Maintaining ongoing communication with our elected officials helps build momentum and ensures that Lake Hopatcong remains part of the conversation.
At the federal level, we will participate in the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed’s Annual Hill Day in March to highlight the importance of federal funding for the Delaware River Basin, of which Lake Hopatcong is a part. During Hill Day, we look forward to meeting with staff from the offices of Senator Cory Booker and Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Tom Kean Jr., and Bonnie Watson-Coleman to continue building support for the protection and restoration of our watershed.
Advocacy is often measured in the relationships built, awareness raised, and doors opened. We are encouraged by the growing recognition of Lake Hopatcong’s importance, the strength of our partnerships, and the increasing understanding that healthy lakes are essential to New Jersey’s environmental and economic well-being. In the months ahead, we will continue meeting with state leaders, working closely with NJDEP, and collaborating through the Public Lakes Alliance of New Jersey—a statewide coalition working to elevate the needs of public lakes. Our focus remains on advancing practical solutions, securing resources, and keeping Lake Hopatcong’s needs front and center.
Photo by Marc Mendoza
