Residents urge Union County to prioritize dredging and aeration over boathouse, ramps at Clark Reservoir

Union County hosted a change-of-use public hearing Nov. 14 in Clark Township on a proposed renovation of Clark Reservoir that would remove about 150,000 cubic yards of sediment from the headwaters, West Lake and Central Lake, add trails and pedestrian bridges, install boat ramps and build a two‑story, 8,600‑square‑foot boat‑storage and operations building.

At the start of the hearing, Bruce Bergen, who identified himself as Union County Council and the meeting moderator, said the session was being held under New Jersey Administrative Code 7:36‑25.6 and that it was court‑reported and video recorded; written public comments are being accepted through Dec. 10 and a link to submission addresses is on ucnj.org.

CME project manager P. Inari summarized the engineering scope, telling the hearing that the dredging plan covers the headwaters, West Lake and Central Lake and that "there's approximately 150,000 cubic yards of sediment that will be removed" and transported to an offsite disposal facility. The presentation also described water access improvements, ADA kayak launches, floating docks, parking, a proposed boat‑storage/operations building with second‑floor covered patios, trail work including four pedestrian bridges and stormwater treatment measures.

Nearly every public commenter urged the county to prioritize environmental remediation — particularly dredging and aeration — over the proposed recreational amenities. "It's only a $200,000 operation," said resident John Victor Jacobson, urging large‑lake aeration so dredging benefits persist. Several residents, including Susanna Selli and Glenn Robinson, said building a large boat house and adding ramps would divert limited funds away from restoring the reservoir and risk permanent ecological and neighborhood damage. "This will directly affect myself and multiple other residences near my home," said Daniel McAffrey, who presented photos and asked the county to eliminate a walking path planned along the East Lake near Madison Hill Road.

Residents raised repeated safety and traffic concerns about a proposed boat ramp and parking near Wendle Place, saying narrow neighborhood streets and children at play make additional boat launch traffic unsafe. Nicole Beck said her Wendle Place block "is filled with kids playing" and warned that added strangers and trailers would make parents uncomfortable. Speakers also cited noise, tree loss and stormwater impacts if wooded buffers are cleared.

Several commenters questioned permitting and notice. Ellen Mulligan and Claire Le Bruno asked whether the county would proceed with building or dock work before DEP approvals; Bruce Patterson asked whether the change‑of‑use notice satisfied adjacent‑owner notification rules and noted an apparent timing mismatch between bid due dates and the public comment deadline. Residents reported petition activity: Patrick Delaney said organizers had collected "just under 2,000 signatures" opposing the project's current scope.

In response, Bergen and county engineers said the hearing complies with Green Acres process requirements and is the appropriate legal forum. On the specific dredging question for East Lake, the engineers said measured depths of 8 to 14 feet and an organic bottom layer discouraged immediate dredging there. The county is running pilot projects that use biological decomposition techniques; "if the results are positive they will be considered for the work in the East Lake," Bergen said. Engineers also noted permitting requirements have limited certain materials (for example, the removal of asphalt walkways in some park areas).

No formal votes or motions were taken at the hearing. Bergen closed by reiterating the opportunity to submit written comments through Dec. 10 and directing residents to ucnj.org for submission addresses and permit status information.

What happens next: DEP permit approvals remain pending; the county said it will consider pilot project results for East Lake treatment and will continue negotiations with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority about liability and any Wendle Place parking/boat‑access arrangements.