DEP: Water activitites on Grenloch Lake suspended for cleanup

The effects of a January fuel spill in Grenloch Lake are still being felt. On Friday, The state Department of Environmental Protection, along with NJ Transit, Washington Township and the Gloucester County Health Department announced all water related activities on the lake were suspended to allow cleanup efforts to continue.

“While there has been significant progress in the cleanup of Grenloch Lake, out of an abundance of caution, the DEP will not stock the lake with trout for the upcoming trout season and has closed the lake to all fishing,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said in a statement.

“In addition, the township, DEP, NJ Transit and the Gloucester County Health Department are advising the public that the lake not be used for swimming, wading or boating. We are also jointly advising the public to avoid allowing pets to enter the water while these activities continue.”

Fuel spilled into the lake on January 12 from a nearby NJ Transit bus garage, according to the DEP.

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“I have said this before and I will say this again. Our neighbors in Gloucester and Camden counties can be assured that NJ Transit is committed to being a continued and consistent presence within the community as we continue our work to alleviate the impact of the spill,” NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein said.

The DEP says Grenloch Lake Park will remain open for all other recreational activities.

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