August 2006, #40

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NEW NHEP PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

JULY ACTIVITIES  

7/12/06 - Public Outreach and Education Team (POET) Meeting
The meeting included a discussion of the "Be Part of the Solution: Spot Pollution” campaign, which will help municipal workers and citizens to recognize pollution and contact appropriate professionals. The NHEP buffer outreach program was also discussed and two of the 42 community buffer characterization maps were reviewed. POET members noted that they would integrate and promote the buffer outreach effort into their community work when appropriate. A new effort to maintain an accurate list of email addresses of Planning Board and Conservation Commission members in the coastal watershed was debated. The list will be maintained by a NHEP work study student and will be available to partnering organizations that want to efficiently communicate to this important group of land use decision makers. The meeting concluded with a discussion of supplemental materials for the 2006 State of the Estuaries report that will facilitate its use by municipal planning officials. Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

7/17/06 - Request for Proposals for the 2007 Local Grants Program
The NHEP issued a request for project proposals for the 2007 Local Grants Program. This Program funds projects that result in achievement or significant progress toward achievement of one or more Action Plans described in the NHEP Management Plan (.pdf/7.6MB) An applicant may submit a project proposal for up to $10,000 of NHEP funds; however a 50% match is required (i.e. for each dollar contributed to a project by the NHEP, fifty cents must be provided by the applicant in the form of cash or in-kind services related to the project). All project activities must be completed by June 30, 2008. Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 17, 2006. NHEP funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through an agreement with the University of New Hampshire. Successful applicants will enter into a subaward agreement with the University of New Hampshire. For more information, contact Dave Kellam, NHEP Project Coordinator. Read 2007 Local Grants Request for Proposals (.pdf/56KB)

7/19/06 - GPRA Reporting Complete
Jennifer Hunter completed the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) reporting requirements to EPA for 2006. Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information.

7/27/06 - Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Meeting
Phil Trowbridge participated in a meeting of the steering committee for developing a state-wide management plan for aquatic nuisance species. The plan has been drafted and reviewed by freshwater and estuarine workgroups. The steering committee will fill in missing information and prepare a final draft of the plan by September. Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

7/31/06 - Eye On Estuaries Published in Portsmouth Herald Boyhood loss launches lifetime crusade by Cathy Coletti, NH Coastal Program online article or text (.pdf/50KB)

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NEW NHEP PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS  

Development and Monitoring of Revegetation Methods: Connecting Students with Restoration Activities at Awcomin Marsh The UNH Department of Natural Resources reports on a revegetation project and an assessment of a 2002 experimental cordgrass planting in Awcomin Marsh. Five classes from a Portsmouth elementary school participated in an effort to grow and plant high marsh and upper border vegetation at a Awcomin salt marsh restoration site. Seeds of six marsh upper edge species were germinated and grown into seedlings and planted by the students in late spring 2005, however only switchgrass and quackgrass plants appeared to have established and survived after one year. Mature shoots of three high marsh species (salt hay, salt grass and black grass) established successfully and continue to proliferate. The study also assessed an experimental cordgrass planting installed in 2002. After four growing seasons, Plug, Bare Root Shoot, and Seed Head planting techniques exhibited greater cover of cordgrass and total cover of vascular plants when compared with unplanted areas. Cover of perennial plants (e.g., cordgrass) dominated the planted plots; cover of annual species dominated the unplanted plots. Recommendations include the use of bare root shoot and seed head planting techniques where cordgrass is desired. Outside plots or a greenhouse may be needed for successful propagation of upper edge marsh species from seed, and a planting program that includes mature plants as well as seedlings is recommended. Read Report

 

Eelgrass Distribution in the Great Bay Estuary 2004
In 2004, the NHEP funded annual monitoring for eelgrass in the Great Bay Estuary by UNH Jackson Estuarine Laboratory. Researchers collected aerial photography of eelgrass coverage for 2005 and mapped eelgrass distribution for 2004 from the information gathered in the summer of 2004 (aerial photography and ground truthing). In 2004, eelgrass distribution and percent cover slightly increased in the Great Bay Estuary over 2003, mostly due to increases in Great Bay itself. Loss of habitat was seen in the eelgrass meadow between Fishing Island and Gerrish Island and in Little Harbor, both of which lost distribution and percent cover, as well as in the Piscataqua River. Eelgrass was present throughout much of its expected range in the estuary, although there are still large areas of the estuary that historically supported eelgrass and currently do not. Due to the increases in Great Bay and at the mouth of the estuary, there was higher percent cover than in 2003, representing a slight overall increase in eelgrass abundance between 2003 and 2004.
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Great Bay Restoration Compendium The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with several other organizations, reports on restoration opportunities in and around Great Bay Estuary. The authors created a conceptual site selection model based on a comparison of historic and modern distribution and abundance data, current environmental conditions, and expert review. Restoration targets include oysters and soft-shell clams, salt marshes, eelgrass beds, and seven diadromous fish species. Spatial data showing the historical and present day distributions for multiple species and habitats were compiled and integrated into a geographic information system. A matrix of habitat interactions was developed to identify potential for synergy and subsequent restoration efficiency. Output from the site selection models was considered within this framework to identify ecosystem restoration landscapes. The report include a series of maps detailing multi-habitat restoration opportunities extending from upland freshwater fish habitat down to the bay bottom. A companion guidance document was created to present project methods and a review of restoration methods. Read Report

 

Spatial Patterns of Marine Larvae as Indicators of Incipient Invasions in Great Bay, NH
The University of New Hampshire Zoology Department reports on a study designed to collect the baseline data necessary to establish patterns and make comparisons to future conditions. Researchers collected larvae on artificial settlement substrates at six sites within the Great Bay Estuary and at an adjacent coastal site during ice-free months since July 2002. The report gives a brief description of the results of this monitoring program to determine the species composition, spatial patterns, and timing of invertebrate settlement within the Great Bay.
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Testing of Great Bay Oysters for Two Protozoan Pathogens Two protozoan pathogens, Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) and Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) are known to be present in Great Bay oysters. With funds provided by the NHEP, the Marine Fisheries Division of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHF&G) assessed the presence and intensity of both disease conditions in oysters from Oyster River, Adams Point, Woodman Point and Squamscott River within the Great Bay estuarine system. Collected oysters were cleaned of attached epifauna and shipped to Rutgers University, Haskins Shellfish Research Laboratory, for testing. Histological examination for other endoparasites was also conducted on Great Bay oysters. The year 2005 oyster tests show continued presence of MSX in Great Bay. Dermo was seen for the fourth successive year after a near five year absence in oysters. Also present but of unknown pathogenicity are ciliate produced xenomas in gill tissue. The report contains three recommendations. First, this testing program should continue with samples from major oyster beds within the Great Bay system. Second, movement of oysters from bed to bed within the Great Bay system should be discouraged as it may lead to distribution of infective stages of Dermo. MSX is not yet known to be transmitted oyster to oyster but lacking clear evidence of the exact means of transmission, it still seems prudent to discourage oyster movement throughout the area. Third, the effect of ciliate xenomas should be further studied. Read Report

Water Reuse Feasibility Study
The City of Portsmouth contracted with Camp Dresser & McKee to produce this study of the feasibility of providing 300,000 gallons per day(gpd) of reclaimed water from the Pease Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Pease Golf Course. Costs to implement such a project were estimated to be between $3.1 million and $4.5 million, depending on two municipal upgrade scenarios. An additional 80,000 gpd were considered for industrial use and estimated to cost an additional $1.1 million. The study concludes that at current wastewater treatment rates, the reuse of waste water in Portsmouth is not cost effective. The study does point out other benefits that are not captured with a straightforward financial analysis, such as the value of reducing the amount of nitrogen entering the Piscataqua River or the potential economic benefit of attracting high-water use companies to the Tradeport which will create jobs and increase the tax base.
Read Study

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE

Survey: CICEET Land Use Planning Tools
This fall, the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) will solicit proposals for projects aimed at developing and/or broadening the application of land use planning tools for improved coastal environmental health. To insure that this new funding opportunity reflects the primary technology needs of the land use planning community, input from this community is needed. If you are involved in land use planning, Please FILL OUT THIS ONLINE SURVEY to provide input.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

8/19/06 - Moose Mountains Regional Greenways' 4th Annual Woods, Water, and Wildlife Festival
Learn More or Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

9/18 - 9/21/06 - National Estuary Program Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA
Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

9/20/06 - V.I.P. Great Bay Estuary Tour, 9am-Noon, Fishermen's Pier, Portsmouth
Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

9/27/06 - NHEP Technical Advisory Committee Meeting, 1-3pm, Room 110 Gregg Hall, Durham
Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

9/28/06 - NHEP Management Committee Meeting, 9am – Noon, Urban Forestry Center, Portsmouth
Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

9/30/06 - National Estuaries Day & V.I.P. Great Bay Estuary Tour, 2-5pm, Fishermen's Pier, Portsmouth
Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

10/27/06 - State of the Estuaries Conference
Register Now

12/06/06 - NHEP Public Outreach and Education Team (POET) Meeting
Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

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