January 2005, #21 

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

NHEP ACTIVITIES  

12/01/04 - NHEP Shellfish and Living Resources Team Meeting 

Meeting topics included change of shellfish classification goals for NH’s estuarine waters, funding for the Taylor River dam removal feasibility study, and addition of a new action plan for marine aquatic nuisance species to the NHEP Management Plan. The discussion of aquatic nuisance species included presentations by Phil Trowbridge, Amy Smagula (NHDES), and Steve Perry (NHF&G). The Team recommended the addition of the following Action Plan: "Support the development and implementation of marine aquatic nuisance species management plans for NH’s estuaries". Other changes to action plans were discussed and recommendations will be presented to the NHEP Management Committee. Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information. 

12/01/04 - Environmental Indicator Development Proposal Review

Via email, a team of eight people reviewed the only proposal received to develop new environmental indicators for New Hampshire estuaries. After suggesting some modifications, the team made a recommendation to the NHEP Management Committee to fund the proposal.  The proposal was submitted by the University of New Hampshire, Zoology Department, and the Great Bay NERR, and it describes a marine invasive species indicator program that monitors larval inputs within Great Bay. The NHEP Management Committee approved funding for the proposal on January 3, 2005.  Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information. 

12/02/04 - Coastal Watershed Land Conservation Plan Proposal Review

A review team met to evaluate two proposals to develop a conservation plan for the area that comprises NH’s coastal watershed. The review team requested additional information from both applicants and subsequently recommended funding the proposal from The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Strafford Regional Planning Commission, and Rockingham Planning Commission. The team’s recommendation was approved by the NHEP Management Committee. A land protection plan will be developed by June 2006.  Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information. 

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12/03/04 - Monitoring of the Hampton-Seabrook Juvenile Clam Study

Jennifer Hunter accompanied Chris Nash (DES Shellfish Program) and Dr. Brian Beal of the University of Maine at Machias to monitor the NHEP-funded clam experiment at Hampton-Seabrook Harbor.  The large nets on the flats were in good shape although there were signs of clam predation.  It was unclear if the small clam shell fragments were coming from the experimental plots.  Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information. 

12/09/04 - NHEP Management Committee Meeting

The meeting began with an update on the transition to the University of New Hampshire. The bill will be assigned to a legislative committee and several Management Committee members expressed interest in attending the meeting to voice their support for the transition. Several programmatic issues were then discussed including a summary of the projects selected through the Local Grants program for 2005 and updates on two Request for Proposals: Environmental Indicator Development and Land Protection. Next the final version of the NHEP Strategic Communications Plan was discussed and approved. Phil Trowbridge led a discussion of Management Plan updates and the Committee voted to approve the updates. After a break, Dr. Steve Jones (UNH) gave a presentation on the NHEP-funded evaluation of the effects of wastewater treatment discharge on estuarine water quality. The meeting concluded with a presentation by representatives of Metcalf & Eddy on the Regional Wastewater Management Study. A great deal of the discussion revolved around appropriate modeling techniques for the Piscataqua Estuary. Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information. 

12/06/04 - National Estuaries Program (NHEP) Outreach Conference Call

Topics of this quarterly conference call designed to coordinate outreach efforts of the 28 National Estuaries Programs included evaluation of Estuaries Live, development of an Education Fellow at EPA headquarters, Communication Outreach Strategy for the EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Project Evaluation Training from NOAA, the March NEP meeting in D.C., and outreach materials available from EPA headquarters. Contact Dave Kellam for more information

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12/18/04 - Further Monitoring of the Hampton-Seabrook Juvenile Clam Study

Dave Kellam accompanied Dr. Brian Beal of the University of Maine at Machias to monitor the NHEP-funded clam experiment at Hampton-Seabrook Harbor.  Although the nets were holding firm on the flats, a great deal of detritus (decomposing organic material) collected in the nets.  Some of the experimental plots were at least 75% covered in detritus and sediment.   Dr. Beal had never seen this occur at other sites and was concerned that it may be a significant factor as this experiment progresses.  Two reporters from "The Wire" (Portsmouth Arts and Leisure Paper) interviewed Beal about the study.  Contact Dave Kellam for more information. 

12/21/04 - Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) Quarterly Meeting

The meeting began with a discussion of the five communities that applied for the 2005 NROC program. After a lengthy discussion, two communities were selected (New Durham was selected last year to be the first program of 2005, so the total number of 2005 NROC communities is three). The meeting discussion then focused on an evaluation coordinated by Julia Peterson (NH Sea Grant) of NROC programs from 1999-2004 and on an independent evaluation funded by the NH Coastal Program that will conclude in June, 2005. NROC Community Implementation Grants were then discussed and their merits were debated. Alternative ways of supporting projects that result for the NROC process will be discussed by the funders. Due to funding changes occurring at NOAA, NROC will have to apply to the NH Coastal Program's competitive grant round to support NROC coordination. Also, Amanda Stone (NROC Coordinator) will contact the NH Charitable Foundation to discuss the possibility of funding. Contact Dave Kellam for more information. 

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NEW PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS  All publications can be viewed at the NHEP website

12/27/04 - 2004 Data Management Plan 

This plan contains protocols for data reporting to the NHEP to facilitate data integration. Different protocols are applied to different types of data (e.g., chemical, geospatial, and biological). The protocols will be considered contract requirements for NHEP monitoring programs and recommended guidelines for other partners.  Read Plan (.pdf/199KB). 

12/27/04 - 2004 Summary of Coastal and Estuarine Monitoring Programs Inventory

This inventory is a summary of the coastal and estuarine monitoring programs that provide data for NHEP indicators or for state water quality assessments. Only long-term monitoring programs that do not have an end date are included in this inventory.  Contact Phil Trowbridge for details. Read Inventory (.pdf/322KB)

12/31/04 - 2004 Water Quality Education Onboard the Gundalow 

In 2004, the NHEP funded the Gundalow Company to expand their education program curriculum to include contemporary water quality issues and future stewardship responsibilities. The NHEP grant also supported the Gundalow Company’s efforts to bring the Captain Edward Adams to Durham and Newmarket. Read the Report (.pdf/151KB).

12/31/04 - Conservation Easement Outreach Project 

The Ad-hoc Conservation Bond Subcommittee to the Conservation Commission utilized NHEP funds to produce and mail an updated full color tri- fold brochure to each Stratham household that explained the town's open space initiative and highlighted initiative achievements over the past 2 and half years. The grant also funded the production of workbooks that were given to landowners interested in establishing conservation easements. Read Report (.pdf/39KB)

12/31/04 - On-Line Resource Clearinghouse for Rapidly Growing Communities 

The NHEP provided funding to the UNH Center for Integrated Regional Problem Solving to develop a searchable database, or “resource clearinghouse,” that contains information on the top ten issues facing rapidly growing communities in New Hampshire.  The clearinghouse is available at http://clearinghouse.unh.edu. The website offers users quick access to a variety of valuable information, including links to organizations that assist communities with planning issues, direct access to a variety of publications, and "real world" examples of successful growth management projects. Read Report (.pdf/65KB).

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NHEP UPCOMING EVENTS  

1/15/05 - Seacoast Land Trust's "A Winter Walk at the Great Bog", 10 - 11:30 am, Great Bog Trailhead off Buckminster Way, Portsmouth, NH 
This walk will follow some of the historic wooded roads at the Bog. The group will learn about the various habitats, and plants and animals that inhabit this area. The walk leader will also give a presentation on the habitat restoration activities in progress or planned for the area and learn how it fits into the larger Great Bay Watershed protection area. If there is snow, some may choose to use snowshoes which can be rented from Portsmouth Rent and Ride, 603-433-6777.  This walk is sponsored in part by the New Hampshire Estuaries Project.  Learn more from the Seacoast Land Trust website: http://www.seacoastlandtrust.org

3/16/05 - NHEP POET Meeting,  9 - 11am, NH DES Coastal Office 
  Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

3/6 - 3/10/05 -  Annual Meeting of National Estuary Programs, Washington, DC
  Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information.

4/5/05 - Shellfish and Living Resources Team Meeting, 1-3pm, NH DES Coastal Office
Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

4/19/05 - NHEP Technical Advisory Committee, 1-3pm, NH DES Coastal Office
Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

5/4/05 - NHEP POET Meeting,  9 - 11am, Location TBD 
  Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

 

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