JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (WVEC) -- For the first time in 40 years, Brown's Lake is open for recreational fishing.
The lake was closed in the late 1970's due to contamination from toxic pesticides, grease, oils and organic chemicals.
Testing continued throughout the 80’s and 90’s, and results showed high levels of pollutants.
In 1999, the lake was drained, sediments removed, and a control system was removed.
“Since the removal action, land use controls were put in place to protect the lake sediments and allow the lake, flora and fauna to stabilize,” said Tim Blevins, JBLE Restoration Program chief. “Since that point, every three years, we have taken sediment and fish tissue samples to gauge the results of our clean-up efforts.”
Those interested in fishing on the installation must have a valid Virginia fishing license, a saltwater license for fishing the James River or Warwick River, and a freshwater license for fishing at Eustis Lake or Brown’s Lake. In addition to Virginia laws, fishers must also have an installation fishing permit purchased from Outdoor Recreation.
