[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Alloway 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 435. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The provisions herein relate to Alloway Lake and its tributaries
and any and all public areas provided for public use within the jurisdiction
of the Township of Alloway, hereinafter referred to as Alloway Lake
and to all persons who enter upon or use said areas. The Township
Committee of the Township of Alloway, in the County of Salem and State
of New Jersey, is hereinafter referred to as the "Committee."
As used in this chapter, herein, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
Includes any means of conveyance 18 feet or less on water
by means of a boat or any other type of craft or device for any purpose.
[Amended 6-16-2011 by Ord. No. 457]
Either the taking of or pursuing or attempting the taking
of fish at lawful times and in such lawful manner as may be permitted
by the laws of the State of New Jersey.
Includes bathing, wading, diving and floating, either self-supporting
or with the aid of a flotation device.
The Committee has provided a designated public area(s) to provide
public access to Alloway Lake. All other property bordering Alloway
Lake is private property and is not open to the public. The designated
public area(s) is/are the only Alloway Lake access area open to the
public for parking, launching of boats, parking of boat trailers or
any other lawful activity at Alloway Lake.
A.
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, Alloway Lake and the designated public area will be open to the public from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the months of April through September and from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the months of October through March. Therefore, Alloway Lake and the designated public area will be closed to the public from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. April through September and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. from October through March. Any person found in violation of the hours of operation is subject to penalties as described in § 42-8 of the Township Code.
[Amended 12-18-2014 by Ord. No. 476; 3-21-2019 by Ord. No. 514]
B.
Alloway Lake may be declared closed to the public by the Committee
at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at
regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), and either entirely
or merely to certain uses, as the Committee shall find reasonably
necessary.
[Amended 6-16-2011 by Ord. No. 457]
A.
Boating.
(1)
Boats may be launched from any public access area. All boats used
in Alloway Lake must conform to applicable laws of the State of New
Jersey, including, but not limited to, the requirements for occupant
emergency flotation devices.
(2)
In accordance with laws of the State of New Jersey, only battery-powered
electric motors may be used on boats operated in Alloway Lake. Any
boat containing gasoline, motor oil, or gasoline/oil mixtures or other
petroleum products whether in gasoline cans, fuel tanks, motors or
any other type of container is hereby specifically prohibited from
use in Alloway Lake, except as specifically authorized by the Committee.
B.
Fishing.
(1)
Public fishing is permitted in Alloway Lake in accordance with the
laws of the State of New Jersey, including, but not limited to, the
requirement for a freshwater fishing license, and in such manner as
may be permitted by the laws of the State of New Jersey.
(2)
The Committee may curtail or strictly prohibit any or all fishing
privileges authorized hereunder which it deems necessary for the conservation
and preservation of fish or any other reasonable cause in which the
best interest of the residents of the Township of Alloway is in any
manner involved.
(3)
A fishing tournament permit is required in the event any person, club or organization may utilize the lake for a fishing tournament. "Fishing tournament" means any organized competitive fishing event from boat or shoreline. Permit requests shall be made no less than 60 days in advance of the requested permit date. Permits for the use of Alloway Lake shall be granted by the Township Committee. The requestor must submit to the Municipal Clerk a completed application and permit fee in the amount of $100 per day. Additionally, if applicable, boat ramp fees are to be placed in the drop box located at the lake access prior to launching the boat(s) as specified in § 42-5D(3). The permittee organizer and/or sponsor of the tournament shall be responsible for the proper disposal of all litter and trash generated by the event and must conspicuously display the permit at the public lake access on the date(s) of the event and remove it at the conclusion of the tournament. The permit will allow holders thereof to keep fish in live wells only for a limited period of time, and all fish shall ultimately be returned alive to the lake. Issuance of a permit does not grant an exclusive right to use the designated area. Tournament organizers, sponsors, and/or participants shall not impede the rights of others to use the area. All tournament participants must comply with all of the provisions of Alloway Township Code Chapter 42.
[Amended 3-21-2019 by Ord. No. 514]
C.
Swimming. Swimming is expressly prohibited at all times, regardless of hours of operation and without exception. Any violations of this section shall be prosecuted in the Pilesgrove Joint Municipal Court pursuant to § 42-8 of this chapter.
[Amended 5-19-2022 by Ord. No. 546]
D.
Boat ramp access.
[Added 6-16-2011 by Ord. No. 457]
(1)
No boat over 18 feet will be allowed on the lake.
(2)
No boat shall run or operate a gasoline, diesel or other nonelectric
motor, with the exception of emergency personnel, including, but not
limited to, New Jersey State Fish and Game Commission and Township
of Alloway Public Works Department personnel.
(3)
A fee of $10 per day or $100 per year will be charged for boat ramp
users who are not Alloway Township residents. Alloway Township residents
will pay $1 per year for use of the boat ramp. Veterans requesting
an annual pass who produce a copy of proof of such status shall be
entitled to a discount of 10%. Said discount shall not be applied
to day-use passes.
[Amended 2-21-2013 by Ord. No. 464]
(4)
All boats that require licensing under the laws of the State of New
Jersey and use the boat ramp are subject to this fee.
(5)
There is no fee for canoes and kayaks.
(6)
There is no fee for sailboats 12 feet or less.
(7)
Annual boat ramp passes will be valid from January 1 to December
31 of each year, or any part thereof, depending upon date of purchase.
The pass fee shall not be prorated.
[Amended 2-21-2013 by Ord. No. 464]
(8)
In lieu of the penalties described in § 42-8, the fine for use of the boat ramp without paying the fee is $35 for the first offense, $75 for the second offense, and $75 for each additional offense in the same season.
(9)
Annual boat ramp passes can be purchased through the Township Clerk's
office and by mail. A form will also be created by the Board of Recreation
Commissioners which will be available for download from the Township's
website. Boat owners will be required to complete the form detailing
information about their boat and must affix the annual boat ramp pass
sticker to the back of the rearview mirror of the vehicle used to
tow the trailer. Boat owners will be required to sign that they agree
to comply with all Alloway Township Lake Regulations and New Jersey
Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.
[Amended 6-21-2012 by Ord. No. 462; 2-21-2013 by Ord. No. 464]
(10)
Failure to comply with either Alloway Lake Regulations or Fish and
Wildlife Regulations will result in revocation of the annual boat
ramp pass without refund.
(11)
Daily boat ramp passes will be available at the Public Access through
a drop box and hang tag system. Daily passes are to be hung from the
vehicle's rear view mirror in clear view. Signing the daily boat ramp
pass means you agree to comply with all lake and Fish and Wildlife
Regulations. Failure to comply will make you ineligible for future
daily passes.
(12)
Law enforcement authorities can issue citations for noncompliance.
[Amended 8-18-2022 by Ord. No. 550]
(13)
All fees and fines collected pursuant to this subsection will be
payable to the Township Clerk.
(14)
Money collected will be earmarked for the improvement and maintenance
of the Alloway Township Lake Public Access Property.
The following portions of Alloway Lake shall be strictly prohibited
from public use or activity:
A.
Alloway Lake Dam: any portion of the earthen embankment, spillway,
or stilling basin and for a distance 50 feet both upstream and downstream
thereof.
B.
Both sides of Salem County Road #581, also known as Commissioners
Pike, where the bridge crosses over Alloway Lake in Alloway Township,
New Jersey, for a distance of 500 feet on each side.
C.
Both sides of Woodstown-Alloway Road where the bridge crosses over
Alloway Lake and its tributary.
D.
Both sides of Woodstown-Alloway Road northward from the point where
it intersects Commissioners Pike, also known as Salem County Road
#581, for a distance of 1,000 feet on each side.
E.
Any other area that has been designated by the Public Works Department.
A.
The following activities shall be prohibited:
(1)
Climbing onto or entering upon any portion of Alloway Dam or its
appurtenances is strictly prohibited.
(2)
No person shall fish or engage in any activity from within the prohibited
areas.
(3)
No person shall swim or dive in any of the prohibited areas.
(4)
No person shall engage in boating within the prohibited areas or
within 50 feet of the prohibited areas.
(5)
No person shall ice skate, ice fish or engage in any like activity,
whatsoever, within the prohibited areas.
(6)
No person shall willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper
with or displace or remove any tree, plant, building, bridge, table,
bench, fireplace, railings, pavings, waterlines or other public utilities
or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether
temporary or permanent, monuments, or other structures or equipment
facilities or Township property or appurtenances whatsoever, either
real, personal or private, without the specific authorization of the
Committee.
(7)
No person shall construct or erect any building or structure of whatever
kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string
any public utility into, upon or across such lands without the specific
authorization of the Committee.
(8)
No person shall throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be
placed in the waters of Alloway Lake or other body of water in or
adjacent to any part of any tributary or stream, any substance, matter
or thing, liquid, solid or gas which will or may result in the pollution
of said waters, including, but not limited to, those materials designated
as hazardous waste pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey.
(9)
No person shall dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass,
ashes, paper, boxes, cans, waste, garbage, refuse or other trash,
and no such refuse shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous
to Alloway Lake or left anywhere on the grounds thereof, but shall
be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided, and,
where receptacles are not provided, all such rubbish shall be carried
away from the lake areas and public access area by the person responsible
for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
(10)
No person shall drive any vehicle on any area except the designated
road and the designated parking areas, nor leave a vehicle or boat
parked overnight in the Public Access Area(s), with the exception
of Township and emergency vehicles.
(11)
No four-wheelers or all terrain vehicles of any type shall be operated
on or about the Alloway Lake property, including the frozen lake surface.
(12)
No person shall ride a bicycle on other than a vehicular road or
path designated for that purpose or leave a bicycle lying on the ground
or paving or set against a tree or in any place or position where
other persons may trip over or be injured by it.
(13)
No person shall indecently expose his or her person or dress or undress
on any beach or public area or in any vehicle in the Public Access
Area(s).
(14)
No person shall launch, dock or operate any gasoline-powered watercraft
in Alloway Lake.
(15)
No person shall use any portion of the Public Access Area(s) or of
any building or structure therein for picnics or gatherings to the
exclusion of other persons; nor shall any person use such facilities
for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded.
(16)
With regard to any upland areas, no person shall take part in or
abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled
objects, such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins or model airplanes,
except in areas designated for such forms of active recreation by
the Committee.
(17)
No person shall possess or discharge any firearm, including air-powered
guns (such as BB guns or pellet rifles) on Alloway Lake or in the
Public Access Area(s) or cause to discharge a weapon in the direction
of any of the private residences abutting Alloway Lake.
(18)
No person shall possess any controlled dangerous substance or its
analogue, as defined under the laws of the State of New Jersey or
be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs while there.
(19)
No person shall solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether
public or private.
(20)
No person shall build or attempt to build a fire, except in such
areas as may be designated by the Committee and in conformance with
the Forest Fire Service of the State of New Jersey. No person shall
drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes
or cigars, tobacco or other flammable material within the Public Access
Area(s), or on any area contiguous thereto.
(21)
No person shall enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public," nor
shall any person use or abet the use of any area in violation of posted
notices, including but not limited to parking in areas designated
for the handicapped.
(22)
No person shall sleep or protractedly lounge overnight in the Public
Access Area(s) or on the lake or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening,
abusive, insulting or indecent language or engage in any disorderly
conduct or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace.
(23)
No person shall expose or offer for sale any article or thing nor
shall any person station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the
transportation or sale or display of any such articles or things without
written consent of the Committee.
(24)
No person shall paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard,
advertisement or inscription whatsoever, except as authorized by the
Committee.
(25)
No person shall grow, cultivate, plant or harvest any illegal plantings
of a substance defined as a controlled and dangerous substance pursuant
to the laws of the State of New Jersey.
(26)
No person shall trespass upon private lands abutting the lake or
Public Access Area(s) without the owner's authorization.
(27)
No person shall make any verbal or physical threats toward another
person using Alloway Lake, the Public Access Area(s), property abutting
the lake and access area(s), or any person duly authorized by the
Committee for enforcement or public safety.
(28)
No person shall harvest, keep or remove any fish or other inhabitant
of the lake. Fishing shall be catch and release only, unless a tournament
permit has been issued in accordance with this chapter.
(29)
The Board of Recreation Commissioners shall have the right to adopt
additional rules and regulations for the use and conduct of all persons
while on Alloway Lake. Upon said adoption, said additional rules and/or
regulations shall be publicly displayed at the public access area
and on all other documents, including the Township's web page, outlining
the conditions associated with the use of Alloway Lake.
[Added 6-21-2012 by Ord. No. 462]
Any person or entity whom shall violate any provision of this
chapter, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of
no less than $100 and no more than $2,000, or by imprisonment for
a term not to exceed 90 days or by a period of community service not
to exceed 90 days. Any person who is convicted of violating any provision
of this chapter within one year of the date of a previous violation
of this same chapter and who was fined for the previous violation,
shall be sentenced by a court to an additional fine as a repeat offender.
The additional fine imposed by the court upon a person for a repeated
offense shall not be less than the minimum or exceed the maximum fine
fixed for a violation of the chapter, but shall be calculated separately
from the fine imposed for the violation of the chapter.
All persons utilizing Alloway Lake are hereby on notice of potentially
hazardous structures in the lake, including, but not limited to, structures
that are submerged beneath the waterline, such as trees and branches.
All persons utilizing the lake do so at their own risk.
