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Ambient Rivers Monitoring in the Great Bay Estuary Watershed, 2007

NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) describes water monitoring activities in 2007 at the head-of-tide in ten tidal tributaries. These monitoring activities were completed with the overall purpose of improving the understanding of water quality trends and nitrogen loads from the watershed. The report includes the sample collection information, field and laboratory data, and quality assurance information. Read Report

Prime Wetland Designation Activities: 2005- 2008

From 2005 to 2008, the NHEP supported seven Prime Wetlands designation projects in the Seacoast. In 2008, warrant articles to adopt Prime Wetlands were on the town ballot in the communities of Fremont, Hampton Falls, Brentwood, and Newfields. Three of the four warrants were approved. This report utilizes interviews with Conservation Commission Chairs and key conservation professionals to document the activities leading up to the town vote in each of these towns. NHEP expenditures and outreach materials used by the communities are also included. The report concludes with recommendations for other communities preparing Prime Wetland designations. Read Report

The Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) developed a Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) Program for three wells in Exeter, NH. The project was supported through the NHEP's Community Technical Assistance Program. One well is an active well for the town; two wells are inactive, but the town is considering future reactivation. For each well RPC assessed land use and wellhead protection area characteristics and inventoried potential contamination sources. Educational materials including a door hanger, bill insert, and website content were developed and will be used by the town in its outreach efforts. The report includes recommendations for the town to follow to implement an effective WHPA management program. Read Report

Protecting Shoreland and Riparian Buffers Workshop (2007)

The NHEP, in partnership with a number of other organizations and agencies, developed and implemented a workshop on protecting riparian and shoreland buffers. The workshop was composed of four related sessions designed to provide information and tools to encourage greater municipal regulatory protections for buffers. The workshop was repeated three times from October to November 2007 and attended by a total of 75 people, primarily planning board and conservation commission members. Workshop materials and evaluations are included in the report. Read Report

UNH Jackson Estuarine Lab conducted organic nutrient monitoring (particulate organic nitrogen, or PON, and dissolved organic nitrogen, or DON) and light availability monitoring (measured as photosynthetically active radiation, or PAR) in 2007 at locations throughout the Great Bay Estuary. When combined with the inorganic nutrient measurements taken as part of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System-wide Monitoring Program, total nitrogen in the system can be calculated. Sample collection and analysis followed the procedures specified in the approved Quality Assurance Project Plan. Read Report

Upcoming Events

5-14-08: Porous Concrete Seminar, 9:30 - 11:30 am, The Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center at Sandy Point, Greenland, NH details

5-15-08: NH Sea Grant's Marine Invasive Species Seminar for Commercial Fishermen, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Urban Forestry Center, Portsmouth, NH details

5-30-08: ICLEI Municipal Climate Adaptation Workshop, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Egen Center of Northeastern University - Boston, MA details

6-12-08: Weathering the Storm: Managing Stormwater with Low Impact Development (LID) in Northern New England, Great Bay Gallery, Somersworth, NH details

8-2-08: Moose Mountains Regional Greenways Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival, Milton Mills, NH details

9-27-08: National Estuaries Day and VIP Tour of Great Bay, Registration begins in July

Announcements

	NHEP Year 13 Work Plan Submitted Representing the thirteenth year of NHEP activities, this plan describes recent accomplishments and projects to be undertaken beginning in 2009 to implement the NHEP Management Plan. Also included are a list of ongoing projects, a summary of meetings and milestones from the last year, relevance of activities to the Clean Water Act programs, and the overall budget. Read Plan Email comments to Contact.NHEP@unh.edu by May 23, 2008.
	UNH Stormwater Center Workshops In 2008, the UNH Stormwater Center will host workshops at its field facility to demonstrate a number of stormwater treatment technologies. The NHEP will pay registration fees for members of planning boards, conservation commissions, and zoning boards of adjustment, as well as town planning and public works staff from NHEP’s watershed communities. Register at Stormwater Center’s website. Confirm sponsorship eligibility by contacting the NHEP.
	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)