January 2007, #45
QUICK LINKS: |
NEW NHEP PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS |
DECEMBER ACTIVITIES
12/4/06 - NH Coastal Invasives Work Group
Dave Kellam attended this meeting of the collaborative work group focused on reducing invasive plant species in the Seacoast. Highlights of the meeting included Joanne Glode’s (TNC) presentation showing the results of 2005-06 invasive species mapping using TNC-developed software called WIMS. She showed how this information can be used at the site and regional levels to identify priority areas, priority species, at-risk habitats, and to track the results of management. Other meeting topics included the progress of the invasive species management project at Great Island Common in New Castle, proposed changes in the current herbicide application rules to enable control of invasive species in wetlands, and discussion of establishing a Cooperative Weed Management Area. Contact Dave Kellam for more information.
12/6/06 - NHEP Public Outreach and Education Meeting
The meeting included a discussion of the new "Report Water Pollution" campaign, the NHEP Outreach Information Sharing Session, NHEP state funding effort, NHEP buffer outreach, the Coastal Decision Maker database, and reprint of the Be Part of the Solution posters. The meeting concluded with the development of a topics list for 2007 stories for Eye On Estuaries series. Contact Dave Kellam for more information.
12/13/06 - NROC Quarterly Meeting
Jodi Castallo attended this meeting of the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) team. Topics included 2007 community applications for NROC assistance, updates from the NROC Funding Subcommittee, NROC Accomplishments Report distribution, and potential collaboration between NROC and the UNH Stormwater Center. Contact Jodi Castallo for more information.
12/13/06 - State of the Estuaries Presentation to the NH Water Council
Phil Trowbridge presented an abbreviated version of the State of the Estuaries Report to the NH Water Council. The NH Water Council consists of 16 representatives from various state agencies, NGOs, and private interest groups. Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.
12/19/06 - NHEP Shellfish and Living Resources Team Meeting
Sixteen members of the NHEP Shellfish and Living Resources Team attended this meeting that focused on changes in the shellfish harvesting opportunities in Hampton-Seabrook Harbor proposed by the DES Shellfish Program. The group debated the effects that these changes might have on the clam standing stock and discussed shellfish restoration strategies. Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.
12/21/06 - NHEP Information Sharing Meeting
About 30 people attended an NHEP-hosted meeting of organizations working with planning boards and conservation commissions on natural resource protection activities. Participants shared information from recent studies, projects, and programs aimed at assisting communities with their efforts. Some of the NHEP activities and NHEP-funded products highlighted at the meeting included the 2006 State of the Estuaries Report, town-by-town impervious surface maps and data, buffer characterization maps, buffer protection workshop, Community Technical Assistance Program, and the Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watersheds. Many meeting participants were interested in coordinating a buffer workshop for municipalities, which the NHEP will help develop later this year. For more information, contact Jennifer Hunter.
12/27/06 - Eye On Estuaries Published in Portsmouth Herald |
 |
NEW NHEP PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
| Cains Brook and Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan |
 |
NROC Program Coordination and Delivery
The University of New Hampshire describes the 2006 Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) activities. The group worked with two new client communities (Rollinsford and Fremont) and continued to work with four previous NROC communities (Wakefield, Deerfield, New Durham and Strafford). As a result of 2006 activities, program organizers report that the NROC approach continues to be an effective strategy, however, as communities become more sophisticated in their approaches, NROC needs to broaden its focus and provide a wider range of programs. They also concluded that an extended period of follow-up assistance is needed and funding for community projects continues to be a strong motivating factor for communities. Read Report.
Town of Strafford NROC Projects
Three Town of Strafford committees, formed through the work with the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) in 2004 and supported by a grant from the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, succeeded in furthering land protection, water quality protection, and managing growth in Strafford. The Land Protection Group contracted the professional services of Dan Kern of Bear-Paw Regional Greenways to complete two easements donated to the town in 2006. The Water Quality Group carried out sampling of Bow Lake tributaries at two week intervals, which helped in the establishment of Strafford’s Wetlands Overlay District ordinance. The Managed Growth Committee discovered gaps between the goals of the master plan and present ordinances. Three new growth ordinances were passed as a result of the Managed Growth Committee's work with the public leading up to the 2006 town vote. Read Report
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1/19/07 - NHEP Management Committee Meeting, 9:00am-Noon, Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, Stratham
Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information.
3/5 - 3/8/07 - Annual Meeting of National Estuary Programs, Washington, DC
Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information.
4/12/07- NHEP Public Outreach and Education Team (POET) Meeting, 9:00-11:00am, Location TBD
Contact Dave Kellam for more information.