October 2004, #18 

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

NHEP ACTIVITIES  

9/1, 9/7, 9/8, 9/9, 9/13, 9/20, 9/22, 9/23, 9/27/04 - Freshwater Mitigation Inventory Presentations

Jennifer Hunter and Dave Kellam assisted Mark West and Lenny Lord during nine presentations to Conservation Commissions to introduce the "Freshwater Wetland Mitigation Inventory" report for their town.  In general, the report is well received by these key local decision makers and gives them a resource to refer to when working with the new wetland mitigation rules developed by NH DES.  Contact Dave Kellam for details. 

9/8/04 - Public Outreach and Education Team (POET) Meeting

Discussion topics at the meeting included the NHEP article series in the Portsmouth Herald, the Granite State poll results regarding public knowledge of estuaries, development of a NHEP brochure, and the National Estuary Program radio campaign.  The group reviewed and edited the UNH mail survey for municipal coastal decision-makers that will be administered this winter.  The plans for the V.I.P. boat tours were also reviewed. Contact Dave Kellam for details. 

 9/14/04 - Natural Resources Outreach Coalition Meeting

Jennifer Hunter attended the quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition. Participating organizations discussed the 2005 program, the community application, and evaluation of the NROC program.  Contact Jennifer Hunter for details.

 9/16/04 - The Status of New Hampshire Shellfish Resources, Seminar

At the NHEP-funded seminar in Hampton, Phil Trowbridge gave a presentation on the clam mortality study at Hampton Harbor that is being conducted by Brian Beal of the University of Maine.  Phil was able to sign-up several volunteers to assist with this NHEP-funded study.  Other presenters at the event were Paul Geoghegan, principal scientist from Normandeau Associates who gave a historic overview of the Hampton / Seabrook Harbor clam populations and Chris Nash, DES Shellfish Program Director, who explained the reasons behind shellfish bed closures. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion of a number of related issues, including the dredging of Hampton Harbor and its impact on the shellfish. Panel members included Phil Trowbridge, Chris Nash, Paul Geoghegan, Bruce Smith of GBNERR/NHF&G, and Frank Richardson of DES.   Contact Phil Trowbridge for details. 

9/17/04 - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting

The Technical Advisory Committee identified three focus areas for an indicator development Request for Proposals that will be issued this fall.  The group also approved the monitoring budget for 2005.   Contact Phil Trowbridge for details. 

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9/19/04 - V.I.P. Tours of the Great Bay Estuary

This outreach event for Planning Board and Conservation Commission members attracted representatives from thirteen communities. Guest speakers for the 3 hour boat tour were Steve Miller of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, who spoke with participants about training opportunities and the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition, and Bob Miller of The Nature Conservancy, who spoke to the group about the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership. Contact Dave Kellam for details. 

9/21/04 - RFP Released

The NHEP and NH Coastal Program released a request for proposals to develop a Coastal Watershed Land Conservation Plan. Up to $40,000 is available to develop the watershed-wide plan.  Read RFP (.pdf/154KB)

9/22/04 - Regional Wastewater Management Study 

Jennifer Hunter attended a meeting of the Senate Bill 70 Wastewater Study Commission in Hampton. The Commission viewed a presentation by Metcalf and Eddy, the firm hired by NH DES to conduct a study of wastewater treatment and disposal options. The presentation covered the timeframe for the study, tasks involved in the study, and opportunities for input through public meetings and workshops. The full presentation and other information on the study can be accessed from a website developed for the study: www.coastalclear.org

9/22/04 - Presentation at Seacoast Stormwater Coalition Meeting

Phil Trowbridge gave a presentation to an audience of primarily coastal Department of Public Works employees about recent outreach efforts on impervious surfaces in the coastal watershed.  Phil handed out copies of impervious surface maps for coastal communities and the new impervious surface summary sheet from the NHEP. The audience was interested in learning how this information relates to Phase II requirements. Contact Phil Trowbridge for details.

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9/24/04 - NHEP Settles into Temporary Office

The dust has settled and the new temporary NHEP address is 50 International Drive, Suite 200, Pease Tradeport, in Portsmouth.  The office will move again to UNH in early 2005.  For complete contact information go to the "contact us" page of the NHEP website.  

9/24/04  - CIRPS Advisory Committee Meeting 

Jennifer Hunter participated in a meeting of the Advisory Committee for UNH’s Center for Integrative Regional Problem Solving (CIRPS). The Advisory Committee provided input on two of CIRPS ongoing projects – an on-line resource clearinghouse for rapidly developing communities and a project to link land use change to social and ecological impacts in New Hampshire.  Contact Jennifer Hunter for details.

9/25/04 - V.I.P. Tours of the Great Bay Estuary

This "National Estuaries Day" event for Planning Board and Conservation Commission members attracted representatives from another thirteen coastal communities. Guest speakers for this 3 hour boat tour were Dr. David Burdick of the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory at UNH, Dr. Robert Roseen of the Center for Stormwater Technology Evaluation and Verification at UNH, Brian Smith of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Duane Hyde of The Nature Conservancy.  Discussion topics included the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership, shellfish restoration, stormwater treatment, bay ecology, and water quality monitoring. Contact Jennifer Hunter for details. 

9/25/04 - Moose Mountains Regional Greenways' Trail Days

Dave Kellam conducted an aquatic ecology presentation during Moose Mountains Regional Greenways' Trail Days; an educational and fundraising event targeting families and landowners in the northern part of the coastal watershed. Contact Dave Kellam for details.

9/30/04 - Management Committee Meeting

Topics from this quarterly meeting included 2005 monitoring projects, a new RFP for indicator development, National Estuaries Day outreach activity, presentation and discussion of town-by-town impervious surface maps, future NHEP plans and an oyster restoration project in 2005 that included a question and answer session with Principal Investigator Ray Grizzle of UNH.  Contact Jennifer Hunter for details. 

9/30/04 - Local Grants Proposals Received

Nine proposals were received for this annual grant program.  A grant review committee comprised of Management Committee members will review the proposals on 10/26/04.   Contact Dave Kellam for details.  

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NHEP UPCOMING EVENTS  

10/19 - 10/21/04 - Fall Meeting of the Association of National Estuary Programs, Corpus Christi, Texas
Jennifer Hunter and Dave Kellam will attend this meeting.  Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

10/26/04  - Local Grants Selection Committee Meeting, 1-2:30pm, NHEP Office, Portsmouth  Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

11/03/04 - NHEP Public Outreach and Education Team (POET) Meeting , 9 - 11am, NHEP Office, Portsmouth   Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

11/05/04 - NHEP Land Use Team Meeting, NHEP Office, Portsmouth
  Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information.

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