Overdevelopment threatens Lake Tak In New Jersey, overdevelopment of land greatly affects our waterways. Storm-water runoff carrying pesticides and fertilizers contaminates water that flows to the ocean. Besides contaminants, flooding, erosion and sediment build-up impairs and threatens our water quality. Overdevelopment around Lake Takanassee - one of Long Branch's important coastal lakes - is systematically destroying the water quality and the surrounding area. The neighboring beach club property is one of the last undeveloped coastal areas that we have left. Experts say that in 20 years, New Jersey's water could run out. Wondering whether or not our water is safe should no longer have to be an issue. No new development around the Lake Takanassee area should occur because of the danger it poses to the environment, especially our water. If it only takes one person to start change, imagine what an entire community could do to protect something as valuable as water. Kaitlyn Kanzler Long Branch Monmouth University student