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CONTENTS
(click on the topics below to
get more information)
NHEP
September Activities
State
of the Estuaries Conference Brochure Mailed Second
Meeting of the Regional Outfall Study Commission Association
of National Estuary Programs / National Estuary Program Biennial
Meeting
|
NEW
Publications & Reports
|
NHEP
Upcoming Events
2003
State of the Estuaries Conference |
If
you would like to be removed from the NHEP “Estuaries Update” email
list, click
here.
NHEP
ACTIVITIES
9/3/03
– State of the Estuaries Conference Brochure Mailed
Twelve
hundred (1,200) brochures were mailed to NHEP contacts and Great Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve contact lists.
Estuaries
Month Events
9/11
- Hilton Park Clean Up (Great
Bay Coast Watch), 9am at Hilton Park in Dover
9/19
to 9/21 - Heritage Festival Education Booth
(Town of Newmarket’s Conservation Commission) at Town Landing on Water
Street, Newmarket
9/20
- Lamprey Riverfront Property Cleanup
(Lamprey River Local Advisory Committee), 10am-12pm at Suke Property in
Epping
9/21
- Oyster River Cleanup
(UNH Office of Sustainability Programs), 9am-1pm at Durham Town Landing,
Durham
9/27
- Paddle on the Pond
(Advocates for the North Mill Pond), 10am-12pm at North Mill Pond,
Portsmouth
9/11/03
- Second
Meeting of the Regional Outfall Study Commission
Jennifer
Hunter attended the meeting, which involved continued discussion by the
group on developing a Request for Proposals to hire a consultant to look at
the feasibility of a regional collection and discharge system for WWTP
effluent.
9/16/03
- NROC Meeting
Dave
Kellam attended the meeting that included updates on current NROC
communities (Somersworth, Candia and Nottingham), announcement that NHEP
implementation project funds will be extended through to 2004, a discussion
of how to pay for GIS Mapping services, formation of a subcommittee to look
at programs that help communities with regulatory issues and plans for the
2004 NROC season. For full
minutes from the meeting, contact Dave
Kellam.
9/17
– 9/19/03 - Association of National Estuary Program /
National Estuary Programs Biennial Meeting
Jennifer
Hunter attended the 3-day meeting in Seattle with other NEP Directors and
EPA program managers. The first day involved developing priorities
and a workplan for the Association of National Estuary Programs as
the organization moves forward. The second and third days of the
meeting involved program updates from EPA, sessions on working with
foundations, monitoring programs, national ocean/coastal reports, and a
discussion of the EPA implementation review process.
9/24/03
- Management Committee Meeting
Highlights
of the meeting included finalization and approval of the NHEP Bylaws, brief
update on the 2003 State of the Estuaries Report, State of the Estuaries
Conference, Estuaries Expo, RFPs, discussion and approval of the 2004
monitoring program, and discussion of the Regional Outfall Study Commission.
9/24/03
– Seabrook Station Donation
FPL
Energy Seabrook Station presented the New Hampshire Estuaries Project with a
$15,000 donation after the Management Committee meeting to support the
project’s efforts to improve water quality in the Hampton-Seabrook
estuary. The donation, made on the occasion of New Hampshire Estuaries
Month, was Seabrook Station’s sixth annual donation to the Estuaries
Project. See the article that
appeared in the Portsmouth Herald http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/10022003/news/53156.htm
9/29/03
- EPA/Gulf of Maine Council Meeting
Jennifer
Hunter gave a presentation to representatives from the Gulf of Maine Council
and EPA at a workshop organized by EPA in Boston. She discussed
activities being undertaken by the NHEP that help implement the Gulf
of Maine Council's five-year Action Plan. Directors from the
Massachusetts Bays NEP and Casco Bay NEP also participated in the
regional meeting.
9/30/03
- Third Meeting of the Regional Outfall Study Commission
Jennifer
Hunter participated in the meeting at which a Request for Proposals (RFP)
was finalized by the group. The RFP involves services to evaluate a
number of alternatives for WWTP effluent treatment and disposal, including
advanced treatment, combining and discharging effluent, and groundwater
recharge, at a minimum. For each alternative, environmental impacts,
costs, and technical feasibility will be evaluated. Communities will
be able to use the resulting study to make informed decisions on WWTP
options.
NEW
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
–
go to the publications
page of the NHEP website to view past reports
9/19/03
- Peirce Island Pool Discharge Elimination
The
report describes the NHEP-funded project administered by the NH DES that
eliminated a direct discharge of pollution from the Peirce Island pool to
the Piscataqua River. With the grant funds, town funds, and in-kind
services, the City of Portsmouth installed a pump system and new piping to
deliver the pool filter backwash to the Peirce Island wastewater treatment
facility via a force main. For more information on the report, contact
the NHEP
Office.
NHEP
UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS –
go to the Events
page of the NHEP website for complete listing
Estuaries
Month Continues
10/17
- UNH Sustainability Fair Education Booth
(LifeWise Community Projects, Inc) 10am-2pm, Memorial Union Building Durham
10/25
– Wildlife Tracking Program
(Bear-Paw Regional Greenways) at Nottingham School, Nottingham
Full
event descriptions are posted on the NHEP
website. For further information
contact Matt
Craig.
Estuaries
Expo –
Saturday, October 18, 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 “open house” 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 variety of presentations, such as a shellfish identification
demonstration, a nature walk along Sagamore Creek, and a local seafood
session entitled “Seafood for Thought” featuring local seafood resources
and a chef from 43 Degrees North in Portsmouth preparing food for education.
This event is a great way to learn how to become involved in the
community-based effort to improve the health of our estuaries.
Read
more at the NHEP Website.
2003
State of the Estuaries Conference –
Monday and Tuesday, October 20 & 21, Yoken’s
Conference Center
This
technical conference examines key environmental health indicators of New
Hampshire’s estuarine systems. It
is a joint effort between the NHEP and the Great Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve. (REGISTRATION DEADLINE
HAS PASSED. Current
registration is 148 attendees). A conference agenda is available on the NHEP
website.
NHEP
Funding Subcommittee Meeting – October 29, Location TBA
This
is the first meeting of the NHEP subcommittee to develop long-term funding
strategies for the organization. Contact
Jennifer
Hunter for information.
Strategic
Communication Subcommittee Meeting – November 4, NHEP Office
This
is the first meeting of communication professionals in the Seacoast to begin
the development of the NHEP Strategic Communication Plan.
For details contact Dave
Kellam.
