April 2004, #12 

CONTENTS (click on the topics below to get more information)

NHEP ACTIVITIES

 3/07/04 - 3/11/04 Association of National Estuary Programs Annual Meeting

Jennifer Hunter and Dave Kellam attended this yearly meeting of all National Estuary Programs (NEPs) in Washington DC.  The EPA officials reported that funding for the NEP program  is expected to remain the same as previous years.  Other NEP administrative topics included leveraging project funding, coordination of monitoring efforts with other marine organizations, and emphasizing outreach efforts.  Jennifer Hunter gave a presentation on the NHEP's funding for storm sewer mapping and illicit detection projects.  Contact Jennifer Hunter for details about the meeting.

3/9/04 - New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) Meeting

Phil Trowbridge gave a presentation at the NEERS spring meeting in Burlington, VT. The presentation was a comparison of probabilistic and deterministic methods for assessing designated use support in NH's estuaries.

 3/11/04 - NROC meeting in East Kingston

Dave Kellam attended the first planning meeting for the East Kingston NROC project.  The small group consisting of conservation commissioners, planning board members and one selectman were enthusiastic to work through the NROC process to help plan for expected growth in their community.  

 3/12/04 - Shellfish and Living Resources Team Meeting

Dave Kellam and Matt Craig attended this team meeting chaired by Phil Trowbridge in Durham. The following new members were added to this committee: Jay Odell (The Nature Conservancy), Pam Hunt (New Hampshire Audubon), Ray Grizzle (UNH -Jackson Estuarine Laboratory) and Brian Smith (NH Fish and Game). The committee discussed the expanded scope of its responsibility from just shellfish to shellfish and living resources. Following this, the group reviewed the progress that had been made on action plans to date, and brainstormed ideas for new action plans to cover the expanded charge of the committee. Projects for 2005 will be discussed at a second meeting.

Back to Table of Contents

3/15/04 - General Accounting Office Interview

Phil Trowbridge was interviewed by researchers from the General Accounting Office (Federal) regarding the development and utility of coastal environmental indicators.

3/16/04 - NROC Quarterly Meeting

Dave Kellam attended this meeting which updated the advisory group on the status of the active NROC communities (Somersworth, Candia and Nottingham), progress on the regulatory module, plans for the 2004 NROC communities (Chester, East Kingston, and Strafford) and efforts to develop an NROC logo and website.  Contact Dave Kellam for a complete summary of the meeting. 

 3/17/04 - Market Research Coordination Meeting with Great Bay NERR 

Dave Kellam met with Steve Miller of Great Bay NERR to discuss and coordinate a market analysis project planned for the NHEP.  Steve currently is conducting a market analysis of coastal decision makers regarding training needs.  

3/23/04 -Public Outreach and Education Team  (POET) Meeting

Dave Kellam chairs this committee that reviewed and approved the NHEP Strategic Communication Plan and further discussed placing NHEP stories in Seacoast media. 

Back to Table of Contents

3/24/04 - Land Use Team Meeting

Jennifer Hunter, Dave Kellam and Matt Craig attended this meeting that focused on identifying new land use action plans and recommending projects for next year's funding. Topics included a prime wetlands circuit rider,  leveraging I-93 mitigation funding, a regional open space plan, and the Coastal Estuarine Land Protection (CELP) project.  A subcommittee will be formed to draft a proposal of new action plans. Contact Ted Diers (Land Use Team Chair) for more information.  

3/25/04 - Management Committee Meeting

All staff attended the meeting as well as Mary Ann Manoogian (OEP Director), Jack Ruderman (OEP Deputy Director)  and Mike Nolin (NH DES Commissioner).   The meeting began with a discussion by Manoogian and Nolin as to how the administrative functions of the NHEP will be transferred from the Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES).    After this discussion Lisa Shapiro, from Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, presented information from a statewide economic valuation study New Hampshire lakes, rivers, streams and ponds. Finally the Management Committee approved the NHEP’s freshwater wetlands protection/restoration RFP. 

Back to Table of Contents

 

NEW PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS – go to the publications page of the NHEP website for complete listing

3/23/04 - Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation Inventory for Nineteen Coastal Communities

More than 190 potential freshwater wetland mitigation opportunities are identified and mapped in nineteen coastal communities (Zone A). Information about wetland location and status was garnered from fifteen resource organizations and the majority of the identified wetlands were assessed using field evaluation.  In each town, the potential mitigation sites are described (location, size and site summary) and mitigation action is proposed.  The inventory was conducted by West Environmental, Inc. together with Carex Ecosystem Sciences and Doucet Survey. Read report (.pdf/3.5MB)

Back to Table of Contents

 

NHEP UPCOMING EVENTS

4/13/04 Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
10 - Noon, NH F&G Offices, Durham  
Contact Phil Trowbridge for details.

4/23/04 Coastal Data Management Meeting, 10 am - noon, NHF&G, Durham
Phil Trowbridge has organized a meeting of the major water quality monitoring programs in the estuary with the goal of coordinating data management. Contact Phil Trowbridge for details.

5/6/04 Epping Site Planning Roundtable Kick Off Meeting - Part 1
6:30 - 9:30pm, Epping Town Hall, Epping 
Contact Matt Craig for details.

5/15/04 Epping Site Planning Roundtable Kick Off Meeting - Part  2
9 - Noon, Epping Town Hall, Epping 
Contact Matt Craig for details.

5/20/04 Public Outreach and Education Team (POET) Meeting
9 - 11am, Kingman Farm, Madbury 
Contact Dave Kellam for details.

 Back to Table of Contents