LAKE OWASSA - "Our Little Piece of Heaven"

NJDEP completed follow up water testing for HAB’s on 12/5/19.  

They officially lifted this fall’s HAB advisory on 12/10/19.

Wishing all members a Happy Holiday Season and an HAB free New Year.

REMINDER:  EFFECTIVE THIS SEASON, NO SWIM FLOATS WITH METAL BARRELS OR        

                            EXPOSED STYROFOAM ARE ALLOWED ON THE LAKE!

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL LOCA MEMBERS ABOUT “FOREIGN” BOATS

No boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboard may be placed on Lake Owassa unless it is owned by the LOCA member and has both the Area Number and current Annual Sticker on the boat.  No renters or guests are ever permitted to place their watercraft on Lake Owassa.  This rule protects our lake from invasive organisms and plants that can infect and harm our lake for everyone.  Despite our constant reminders, some LOCA members have been permitting renters and guests to bring their boats to the lake.  This violation of our Bylaws cannot continue.  Any LOCA members who permit renters or guests to place their boats on Lake Owassa may have their lake privileges and membership suspended or revoked.  The LOCA Board of Governors, to protect our lake for everyone, is now compelled to enforce a zero tolerance policy for this violation. 

Thank you for helping to keep our lake clean, safe and pollution free.

NEW JERSEY PAJAMA PROGRAM

I am Coordinator for The New Jersey Chapter of the Pajama Program for Morris & Sussex Counties. At this time, I would like to hold a pajama drive within our community during our spring through fall season. All donations must be new pajamas. I ask that the donations be in sizes 8 through adult for boys & girls. These sizes are the most needed throughout the winter season. We receive an abundance of infant to size 6. 

 Your donations can be brought to our meetings in June & August, to the picnic, by contacting me or delivery to my house. We also accept monetary donations. 

 Pajama Program, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine for children affected by instability to help them thrive. Pajama Program was founded in 2001 and has delivered more than 6 million good nights for good days. Through its work with its 4,000 community partners, which are community-based organizations across the country that serve children from birth through 18 years, Pajama Program endeavors to create a world where good nights are good days for all children, everywhere.

For additional information on the program you can go to https://pajamaprogram.org/ or to the New Pajama Program Facebook page. 

 I am proud to volunteer with this organization.  It is comforting to know I help in keeping thousands of children warm throughout our State. If you are interested in volunteering within the organization, please contact me. 

 Thank you. 

Fran Sandomeno

Coordinator of Morris & Sussex Counties, New Jersey Chapter,  Pajama Program

241 East Shore Lake Owassa Road, Newton, NJ. 07860

973-222-7922

Francine.sandomeno@gmail.com

 As we approach a new summer on the lake, the LOCA Board of Governors wants to advise all LOCA members of the rules regarding large inflatable toys, floats and rafts.  With all of the new and large devices for sale on the market, the LOCA Board does not want someone to unknowingly purchase an oversized inflatable device that is not permitted on our lake.   

1.         The maximum size of any inflatable toy, raft, chair or float is 144 square feet.  The inflatable device should also not sit higher in the water than the typical or average swim float or raft (approximately 3 feet).       

2.         All inflatable devices (other than the traditional inflatable devices used for tubing) must always remain in front of one=s own property and inside the line of swim floats.  No inflatable device may be anchored to the bottom of the lake.        

3.         No inflatable devices can remain in the lake overnight.  All inflatable devices must be removed from the lake by dusk (1/2 hour after sunset).  They must be brought onshore or safely placed on one=s dock.  They cannot be stored on top of a swim float.   

4.         Because inflatable toys are not permanently anchored in the lake, a LOCA sticker will not be required at this time.  However, guests or renters are not permitted to bring their own inflatable toys to the lake; inflatable devices on the lake must be owned by the LOCA member.  We do not want our lake to be infected with invasive species or nuisance growths. 

           5.         And please remember that inflatable boats, canoes or kayaks, as with all watercraft, require a sticker before they can be placed on the lake, and trampolines are never permitted on the lake.

Thank you for your cooperation and please have a wonderful and safe summer on the lake.   

The LOCA store has gone online!  You can go to the Loca Store tab on the website or Click HERE or go to https://lakeowassa.itemorder.com to shop for the latest Lake Owassa apparel and goods! Like any store, our designs and options will be changing from month to month and year to year, so please check back often for new items and designs!

If online shopping isn't for you or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact us at lakeowassa.store@gmail.com! 

Happy Shopping!

The Lake Owassa Store Committee

Kate Adam, Lisa Diller & Peg Mullins

Coast Guard Regulations

 The US Coast Guard has determined that the Stand Up Paddle Boards are “vessels” and therefore, must follow USCG regulations! The following regulations apply to all vessels

including motor boats, sail boats, kayaks, canoes, and now stand up paddle boards.

• Every vessel must be equipped with a USCG-approved Type I, II, III life jacket for every person on board
• Any person on board under the age of 13 must wear the USCG approved life jacket.
• The jacket must be in “serviceable condition” without rips, tears, or deterioration that will diminish its performance.
• The jacket must be of an appropriate size and fit for the wearer.
• If you wish to read more, go to  www.nrs.com/learn/uscg-regulations-for-sup.asp 

Please, be conscious of these regulations when operating any motor boat, sail boat, canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board! Also, remember each of these need to have on their LOCA Area sticker and yearly sticker!