Click to See

Buffer Projects in the Town of Wakefield and City of Somersworth

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) worked to improve buffer protections and management in two towns. In the Town of Wakefield, SRPC worked with the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance to develop a buffer evaluation form to assist property owners assess the condition of their riparian buffers and a buffer brochure describing the value of buffers. SRPC worked with the City of Somersworth planning staff and the conservation commission to develop a draft riparian and wetland buffer ordinance to replace an existing wetland conservation district ordinance. The draft ordinance proposes a 250-foot buffer for all surface waters, including a 25-foot naturally vegetated buffer area with no disturbance. Read Report

Hydrological Parameters for New Hampshire's Estuaries

This NHEP report summarizes the available hydrologic information for the Great Bay Estuary and Hampton-Seabrook Estuary. The latest information on watershed drainage area, tidal shoreline, surface area, volume, salinity, depth, and a host of other physical characteristics are included. The values presented in this report will be used for all NHEP reporting and should be used for any national databases for estuarine classifications. Read Report

Shellfish Tissue Monitoring in New Hampshire Estuaries 2006

During the 2006 Gulfwatch sampling season, mussels were collected at 5 sampling locations in New Hampshire. The Gulf of Maine Council covered the costs for analyzing mussel tissue samples from three sites and the NHEP paid for sample analysis from the remaining sites. Read Report

Town of Fremont Wetland Evaluation Report

Through the NHEP's Community Technical Assistance Program, West Environmental, Inc. (WEI) evaluated wetlands in the Town of Fremont. Fifty-five wetlands, totaling 1,338.5 acres, were inventoried and evaluated after initial mapping. The assessment evaluated each wetland for functions such as groundwater recharge/discharge, flood-flow alteration, sediment retention, nutrient removal, wildlife habitat, and recreational values. Wetlands were placed in one of four tiers as a result of the evaluation. WEI recommends all of the wetlands in Tiers 1, 2 & 3 be nominated as prime wetland candidates for designation by Fremont to the NHDES Wetlands Bureau. These 26 wetlands represent the highest functioning wetlands that provide critical habitat and crucial wetlands function. The majority of these wetlands are identified as highest value wildlife habitat in the NH Fish & Game’s Wildlife Action Plan. Read Report

Summary Report for Round 1 of the Community Technical Assistance Program

The NHEP initiated its Community Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) in 2005 to assist communities in implementing natural resource protection projects that they otherwise may not have the capacity or expertise to implement. Eleven communities applied for and received assistance in the areas of land conservation planning, wetlands/stream buffer protection, and stormwater management. Projects results include:

• Wetlands evaluations conducted in two communities and assistance provided for designating 53 wetlands as prime wetlands in those two communities
• Development of five new or revised ordinances/regulations improving wetlands protection, stream buffer protections, and/or stormwater management
• Conservation lands inventories, baseline documentation, and development of monitoring plans for town-held easements and/or stewardship plans for town-owned conservation lands in five communities
• Development of conservation/open space plans in two communities

2006 Coastal Illicit Connection Identification and Elimination Grant Program

Three projects were implemented in the sixth year of this program funded by NHEP and administered by NHDES. The Town of Durham surveyed fifty-nine outfalls for illicit discharges - none were discovered. The City of Rochester eliminated a residential direct sewage discharge into the Salmon Falls River. The Town of Exeter, in coordination with the Seacoast Stormwater Coalition, developed and implemented a training program to assist municipal stormwater program supervisors with illicit discharge detection and remediation, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping practices. Two hundred forty seacoast area individuals (primarily public works staff) were trained through the project. Read Report

Accepting Applications for Community Technical Assistance Program
The NHEP is accepting applications from municipal planning boards and conservation commissions through Round 3 of its Community Technical Assistance Program (CTAP), which provides consulting assistance to communities on a wide range of regulatory and nonregulatory approaches to natural resources protection. For Round 3 community applications can be submitted to the NHEP throughout 2008. Applications will be evaluated as they are received; and projects will be developed with available funding. Read Application (.pdf or MS Word)

Upcoming Events

2-25 through 2-27-08: National Estuary Program/USEPA Meeting, Washington, DC

5-1-08: New England Estuarine Research Society Meeting, Greenland, NH Learn More