Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today urged the Freehold Soil Conversation District to carefully monitor the soil on the large development now being constructed on the Elberon Ranch and the properties around it to prevent more soil from eroding and running into Takanasee Lake.

The New Jersey congressman's request came in response to a letter he received at the end of last week from Ines Grimm, District Manager of the Freehold Soil Conservation District, detailing the agency's inquiry into where it believed the eroding soil was coming from and what steps its taking to keep any more soil from making its way into the lake. Grimm's letter came in response to a letter Pallone sent her on September 1 asking the agency to examine the lake and take necessary corrective action to improve its water quality.

According to Grimm's letter, the agency blames the City of Long Branch Sewerage Authority for clearing vegetation along a road on the new development and a nearby residential property for soil running into the lake. Grimm wrote that several solutions have been implemented by her agency to prevent further erosion from these two locations. (GRIMM'S LETTER FOLLOWS.)

"I commend the Freehold Soil Conservation District for getting back to me so promptly, but wish the agency had initially listened to concerned Elberon citizens who brought this issue to its attention last month," Pallone said. "While I appreciate the fact the agency identified and addressed some of the problems on this site, I am concerned that it took repeated inquiries and a letter from me before it responded to complaints by area residents and investigated the situation."

Since the Freehold Soil Conservation District concluded some of the soil in the lake came from the development now being built on the old Elberon Ranch, the New Jersey congressman sent another letter to Grimm today requesting that the agency continue to monitor the soil on the land now being developed and the surrounding properties.

"I realize that the Elberon Ranch developer is not solely responsible for the erosion problems around Takanassee Lake," Pallone wrote in his letter to Grimm today. "However, this development is huge, and was essentially cleared of all vegetation, leaving many acres of soil open to the elements. I am concerned that the potential for soil erosion is significant. Given the development's size and its proximity to the lake, it is imperative that you closely scrutinize its environmental impacts."

Last month, after being contacted by local residents, who were alarmed at large amounts of dirt and silt running into the lake, Pallone visited the lake and found the condition to be deplorable. The New Jersey Congressman observed that the soil runoff has noticeably changed the color of the lake to a distinct brown, and voiced concern about what this visible change on the surface is now having on the lake's habitat. Takanasee Lake is stocked with trout for fisherman and is an important recreational resource for Long Branch residents.