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CONTENTS
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NHEP
ACTIVITIES
5/7/03
– NHEP conducting research for Site Specific Program
Matt
Craig (NHEP, Planning Technician) and Jennifer Hunter met with Ridgely
Mauck (NHDES, Site Specific Program Manager) to review program needs and
begin implementation of Management Plan Action Item LND-9B. Matt will
conduct research on construction-related stormwater regulations,
technology standards, and best management practices, with emphasis on
development of rules that consider winter construction limitations, promote
infiltration, and protect wetlands. Matt's findings will be presented
to Ridge Mauck and a Rules Advisory Committee for its consideration in
modifying the Site Specific Program regulations in 2004.
5/12/03 –
Smart Growth Workshop in Durham
The
first in a series of state-wide workshops was held for coastal watershed
communities at the New England Center in Durham. Staff from the NH
Office of State Planning and regional planning commissions discussed growth
patterns in the Seacoast area, principles of smart growth, and examples of
sound development practices. Over 30 area community board
members and municipal officials attended the Durham workshop. The
workshops introduce people to the OSP report, "Achieving
Smart Growth in New Hampshire," which was funded in
part by the NHEP.
5/13/03
– Design of the New NHEP Website Begins
Jennifer
Hunter, Dave Kellam (NHEP, Project Assistant) and Matt Craig attended a
project kickoff meeting with PixelMEDIA,
a respected website design firm located in Portsmouth.
The talented web designers explained the process of web development
and asked many questions to ensure that the new website will meet our needs.
The new website design will include improved navigation of on-line
publications, extensive links to partnering agencies, an integrated design
with other NHEP publications, and compliance with State website criteria.
5/13/03
– Pilot Mailing of Septic System Maintenance Information Packet
As
part of NHEP’s campaign to provide septic system maintenance information
directly to all tidal shoreline property owners, the NHEP sent a mailing to
132 Durham households that generated useful feedback that will be used to
adjust future mailings. This outreach effort specifically addresses Action
Item WQ-13 from the CCMP and the process also improves the
accuracy of the NHEP Shoreline Property Owners Database.
5/17 &
5/27/03 – Salt Marsh Monitoring Training
Jennifer
Hunter and Matt Craig attended classroom and field training for salt marsh
monitoring. The training covered techniques for monitoring salinity,
vegetation, and fish use of marshes. Volunteers coordinated by the NH
Coastal Program and Ducks Unlimited will be instrumental in monitoring
success of restoration efforts throughout the watershed, including the NHEP-funded
Pickering Brook restoration project in Greenland, NH.
5/28/03
– NROC Quarterly Meeting
Dave
Kellam attended the quarterly meeting of the Natural
Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) which is funded by the NHEP
and the NH
Coastal Program. Amanda
Stone (NROC, Coordinator) updated the group on current NROC activities in
Dover, Exeter, Somersworth, Candia and Nottingham.
The meeting also included a discussion of the 2004 NROC application
process and the structure of NROC modules and workshops.
5/31/03
– 2003 Alewife Festival: A Big Success
A
well planned advertising campaign and good weather attracted over 500 people
to the 2003 Alewife Festival in Exeter, NH.
The NHEP granted the Exeter River Local
Advisory Committee $5,250 to plan and advertise for the event that included
live music, a canoe race and displays from many environmental groups,
including an NHEP booth staffed by Dave Kellam.
NEW
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS –
go to the publications
page of the NHEP website for complete listing
5/14/03
- Protecting Wildlife and Significant Habitat in Coastal New Hampshire:
Project Report
Between
April 2002 and April 2003, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) was funded by the
NHEP to facilitate the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership’s (GBRPP’s)
outreach, grant writing and land conservation efforts. During the project
period TNC closed seventeen land protection projects (representing nearly
600 acres) on behalf of the GBRPP. Protected properties include Crommet and
Lubberland Creek, Little Bay and Great Bay shoreline, Packer Bog, Tuttle and
Ash Swamp, Bellamy River, and Johnson and Bunker Creek.
READ
REPORT (.pdf
154K )
5/8/03
- Shellfish Outreach Project Report
Aquaculture
Education and Research Center (AERC) conducted a variety of NHEP-funded
outreach activities from March 2002 to March 2003.
This report
describes the workshops (such as Clam Digging for Dummies), media coverage,
educational talks and informational displays that AERC used to deliver a
message of shellfish stewardship to over 130,000 people.
The report includes the “All Things Aquatic” article series that
provided information on American oyster, ocean quahog, surf clams, blue
mussels, soft-shell clam, and sea scallop.
READ
REPORT (pdf
215K)
5/29/03
- Draft Report Released: Total Maximum Daily Load Study for Bacteria
in Hampton/Seabrook
NHDES
released this draft report on controlling bacteria loads in the Harbor for
public comments. The field study that collected data on which the
report findings and recommendations are based was funded by the NHEP.
The draft report and instructions on how to submit public comments can be
obtained from the NHDES
website. Questions on the report can be directed to Phil
Trowbridge at (603) 271-8872.
NHEP
UPCOMING EVENTS –
go to the Events
page of the
NHEP website for complete listing
Technical
Advisory Committee Meeting – Tuesday, June 10th, 1:00pm –
3:00pm, NH Fish and Game
office, Durham
Management
Committee Meeting – Monday, June 16th, 9:00am – Noon,
Urban Forestry Center, Portsmouth
Estuaries
Expo –
Saturday, October 18th, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Urban Forestry Center
How
healthy are New Hampshire’s estuaries?
This question will be answered during the NH Estuaries Expo:
a free public event that features estuarine scientists explaining the
environmental status of the State’s bays and related resources.
In addition to learning about current research, participants can also
enjoy a free lunch and a variety of brief presentations, such as a shellfish
cooking demonstration, a nature walk along Sagamore Creek, and an up-close
look at a live bald eagle! This event is a great way to learn how to become
involved in the community-based effort to improve the health of our
estuaries.
2003
State of the Estuaries Conference –
Monday and Tuesday, October 20th & 21st, 8:00 am
– 4:00 pm, Yoken’s
Conference Center
A
technical conference examining key environmental health indicators of New
Hampshire’s estuarine systems. This
conference is a joint effort between the NHEP and the Great Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve. Conference
registration forms will be available in July.
