May 2007, #49

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NEW NHEP PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

APRIL ACTIVITIES  

4/4/07 - NH Senate Finance Committee Meeting
The Senate Finance Committee discussed Senate Bill 68 that would appropriate state funding to implement the NHEP Management Plan. The Committee recommended working through the Senate budget process rather than supporting a stand-alone appropriations bill, and they eliminated the funding language from the bill. The amended bill was passed and sent to the House where it was initially assigned to the House Environment and Agriculture Committee before being reassigned to the House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee. Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information on the bill.

4/5/07 - Eye On Estuaries Published in Portsmouth Herald An icy journey by Dave Kellam New Hampshire Estuaries Project Read Seacoast Online Version or .pdf version

4/5/07 - Proposal Submitted to EPA
The NHEP submitted a proposal titled, “Using Moored Arrays and Hyperspectral Aerial Imagery to Develop Nutrient Criteria for New Hampshire’s Estuaries,” as part of the NHEP’s ongoing efforts to further analyze nutrients in the Great Bay estuary. The proposal was submitted to EPA’s Regional Dedicated Water Quality Program. The proposed work entails coordinated data collection efforts involving an instrumented buoy, flow-through surveys, grab samples, and an aerial overflight that will provide spatial data. The data collection and analysis efforts will help to better define the relationships of various water quality and water clarity parameters. Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

4/11/07 - National Coastal Assessment Presentation
Phil Trowbridge presented research on the New Hampshire component of the National Coastal Assessment at an EPA-sponsored symposium in Washington DC. The symposium was for the EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

4/12/07 - Coordination Meeting with SRPC
Jennifer Hunter, Dave Kellam, and Jodi Castallo attended a lunchtime information and coordination meeting with Strafford Regional Planning Commission's staff to better collaborate on projects efforts in the region. Michelle Beauchamp, Planning Administrator, agreed to become a member of the NHEP Public Outreach and Education Team to provide input NHEP outreach activities. For more information, contact Jennifer Hunter.

4/19/07 - Buffers Information to Newington Jodi Castallo gave a presentation to the Newington Conservation Commission on resources available through the NHEP that help communities protect and maintain important buffers to surface water. She presented information to the commission on the buffer characterization map of Newington, an impervious surface map of the town, and described the Community Technical Assistance Program, which provides assistance to communities on a wide range of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to natural resources protection, such as development of buffer ordinances. Contact Jodi Castallo for more information.

4/20/07 - NHEP Participates in GBNERR Research Advisory Board Meeting
Phil Trowbridge attended the most recent Research Advisory Board meeting for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to assist in regional research planning and to coordinate monitoring efforts. Contact Phil Trowbridge for more information.

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NEW NHEP PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS  

Septic System Outreach 2005-2006 The NHEP conducted a variety of outreach efforts in 2005 and 2006 to address Action Plan WQ- 13; “Provide septic system maintenance information directly to shoreline property owners, and to other citizens of the Great Bay and coastal watersheds to help improve water quality.” Activities included mailing 20 septic system maintenance folders to each of the 42 coastal watershed town clerks for community distribution, a workshop at the Seacoast Board of Realtors monthly meeting (35 participants), earned media (three newspaper articles, two radio interviews) and an educational video that aired in nine coastal watershed communities on Community Access Television. Conclusions include mixed reactions to the video format, high general media interest in the video production, and user value associated with the septic system folders and realtor workshop. Recommendations include further distribution of the existing video project, closer coordination with media outlets on future video projects, and continued utilization of the septic system maintenance folder. Read Report and/or See Videos

Newfields Prime Wetlands Study The Town of Newfields describes a prime wetlands study conducted by West Environmental Inc. (WEI). Forty-four wetland systems were mapped and overlayed onto stereo color photographs taken on April 16, 2005. Individual wetland components were classified using the US Fish and Wildlife (Cowardin) classification system and field inspections occurred during the 2006 growing season. WEI recommended 22 of the 44 wetlands in the town for prime wetlands designation because they provide critical habitat, crucial wetlands function and recreational and educational opportunities to the residents of Newfields. The majority of the 22 wetlands are identified as highest value wildlife habitat of state importance in the 2006 NH Fish & Game’s Wildlife Action Plan. The report also includes a Power Point presentation explaining Newfields prime wetland candidates, as well as a mapping report with surface water resources map, Rockingham County soil survey, and aerial photos with overlays. WEI further recommends ordinance modification, wetland restoration of several sites, and a vernal pool survey to document suspected presence of spotted and/or Blanding’s turtles. WEI noted that a large vernal pool cluster found in Newfields is unique to southeastern New Hampshire. Abridged version online or contact NHEP for full report with maps.

Town of Deerfield: Community Input Survey and Public Input Session
The Town of Deerfield describes activities to update its Master Plan, in particular a community survey and follow-up meeting. With the assistance of UNH Survey Center and the UNH Cooperative Extension, the town developed a community input survey that was mailed to 1,775 households on Nov. 22, 2006 and was designed to gather data to inform a variety of growth and planning strategies for the future. Response rate for the survey was 26% (466). The town also conducted a public input session on March 23, 2007, that was attended by approximately 75 residents. The purpose of the meeting was to create a comprehensive Vision Statement for the Town. Information from both the survey and input session will update the Master Plan that serves as a “blueprint” for all future activities in Deerfield, including changes to land use regulations; environmental and historic preservation efforts; economic development; and the expansion of community facilities and services for the next five to ten years. Read Report

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stormwater BMP Technology Demonstration Workshops for Municipalities For a limited time, the New Hampshire Estuaries Project is paying the enrollment fees for municipal staff, planning board members, and conservation commissioners from the 42 coastal watershed communities who attend a Stormwater BMP Technology Demonstration Workshop conducted by the UNH Stormwater Center. There are numerous workshops offered in 2007 that are eligible for this special offer from the NHEP. To take advantage of this deal, simply report your affiliation with a coastal watershed community during registration. Your fee will be waived at that time. Online registration is now available at http://www.erg.unh.edu/cstevreg/register.asp. Registration questions can be directed to Maddy Wasiewski, Maddy.Wasiewski@unh.edu.

 

Coastal Watershed Land Conservation Plan Available at NHEP Office
The NHEP commissioned a second printing of the popular Land Conservation plan for New Hampshire's Coastal Watersheds developed by The Nature Conservancy, Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Rockingham Planning Commission and Strafford Regional Planning Commission. The plan identifies the best remaining opportunities to conserve critical ecological, biological, and water resources and describes voluntary and regulatory strategies to protect these important areas. To order a copy, contact Dave Kellam.

 

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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

5/12/07 - Annual Cocheco River Sweep, Buffer Presentation, 9am-Noon ,Cocheco River
Contact Jodi Castallo for more information.

5/15/07 - NHEP Land Use Team Meeting, NHDES Coastal Office, Pease Tradeport
Contact Jodi Castallo for more information. 

5/17/07 - NHEP Water Quality Team Meeting, NHDES Coastal Office, Pease Tradeport
Contact Natalie Landry for more information. 

6/22/07 - NHEP Management Committee Meeting, NHDES Coastal Office, Pease Tradeport
Contact Jennifer Hunter for more information.

9/5/07 - NHEP POET Meeting, 9:00-11:00am, Location TBD
Contact Dave Kellam for more information.

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