Estuaries Update #59: New Hampshire Estuaries Project

March 2008, #59

New Publications
	Testing of Great Bay Oysters for Two Protozoan Pathogens Predicting the Success of Invasive Species in Great Bay Estuarine Reserve
Announcements
	Accepting 2008 Land Transaction Grant Applications Accepting Applications for Community Technical Assistance Program
Upcoming Events
	3-18-08: WORKSHOP: "Are You Prepared for Climate Change? A City’s Decision Making Regarding Infrastructure 3-26-08: Public Outreach and Education Meeting (POET) 4-16-08: New Hampshire Water Conference 5-1-08: New England Estuarine Research Society Meeting

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NHEP Eye On Estuaries:

Learning to Fall: Preparing for a future of climate change on the Seacoast
2-14-08 :Fosters Daily Democrat, Read Article

February NHEP Activities		New Publications
	NHEP Coastal Land Protection Transaction Grants Announced 2-7-08:Applications were mailed out to all municipal land conservation groups and land trusts. Read Press Release	Testing of Great Bay Oysters for Two Protozoan Pathogens Testing done annually since 1995 documents that two protozoan pathogens, Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) and Perkinsus marinus (Dermo), are present in Great Bay oysters. Based on testing done by Rutgers University with funding from the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, the Marine Fisheries Division of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department assessed the presence and intensity of both disease conditions in oysters from the major beds. Oyster tests in 2007 show continued presence of MSX in Great Bay with infection prevalence levels similar to those recorded over the past seven years. Dermo was seen for the sixth successive year after a near six year absence in oysters. The marked increase in Dermo prevalence since 2004 is noteworthy. Also present but of unknown pathogenicity are ciliate produced xenomas in gill tissue. Read Report Predicting the Success of Invasive Species in the Great Bay Estuarine Reserve The University of New Hampshire Zoology Department reports on a study designed to continue monitoring the distribution of invasive species in the Great Bay Estuary and to carry out laboratory experiments designed to test the effects of salinity on ascidian mortality and determine predators of ascidian species. Researchers collected presence/absence and abundance data of invasive species at four sites within the Great Bay estuarine system. The report describes the results of the monitoring program, compares results obtained from 2006 to 2007, and assesses the response of ascidians to varying salinity and predators. Read Report Upcoming Events 3-18-08: WORKSHOP: "Are You Prepared for Climate Change? A City’s Decision Making Regarding Infrastructure, 9:30 - 11:30am, Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, Greenland, NH 3-26-08: Public Outreach and Education Meeting (POET), 9:00 - 11:00am, Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, Greenland, NH 4-16-08: New Hampshire Water Conference, Concord, NH website 5-1-08: New England Estuarine Research Society Meeting, Greenland, NH website
	Danville CTAP Meeting 2-7-08: NHEP Staff met with Danville's Forestry Committee, Conservation Commission, and Selectmen to discuss development of a stewardship plan for the town forest.
	Proposal Submitted to Map Macroalgae and Eelgrass 2-14-08: The NHEP submitted a proposal to the USEPA’s Water Quality Program for funding support to map macroalgae and eelgrass using hyperspectral imagery collected in 2007. This project is part of the NHEP’s ongoing efforts to develop nutrient criteria for New Hampshire’s estuaries.
	Marine Invasive Species Outreach Materials Arrive 2-15-08:NHEP designed and produced marine invasives species outreach materials that emphasize early detection of Chinese mitten crab. The campaign was adopted by NH Sea Grant, Maine Coastal Program, MIT Sea Grant, RI Coastal Resources Management, CT Sea Grant and NY Sea Grant. A total of 4,000 units will be distributed throughout New England.
	Nitrogen Field Sampling of WWTF Effluent Begins 2-20-08: NHEP Staff collected water samples at 10 wastewater treatment facilities in the Seacoast that discharge effluent to the Great Bay Estuary. The samples will be used to measure dissolved and total nitrogen concentrations.
	Chester CTAP Meeting 2-20-08: Chester Planning Board and NHEP Staff met to review options to strengthen stormwater management in the town.
	Partnership to Restore New Hampshire's Estuaries Meeting 2-21-08: NHEP Staff participated in the development of goals, objectives, and restoration pilot project selection criteria.
	National Estuary Program/USEPA Meeting 2-25 through 2-27-08: At this meeting USEPA confirmed next year's funding at $591,750 for each National Estuary Program (NEP). They also described ways NEPs could participate in their new “Climate Ready Estuaries” program.
	North Hampton CTAP Meeting 2-29-08: NHEP Staff met with North Hampton Conservation Commission Chair to review Scope of Work for a Wetland Buffer Analysis and Outreach Campaign for the Town.
	NH Charitable Foundation Proposal Submitted 2-29-08:NHEP requested funding to conduct a comprehensive review of municipal regulations and conservation strategies throughout the 52 towns that are part of the Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook estuaries.
Announcements
	Accepting 2008 Land Transaction Grant Applications The NHEP has funding available in 2008 to assist with transaction costs associated with high priority permanent land protection projects within the New Hampshire coastal watershed. Applications from nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation organizations or government entities are currently being accepted for up to $3000 per project. Download Application
	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. Read Application (.pdf or MS Word)

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