New Hampshire Estuaries Project Receives $20,000 to Improve Environmental Protection in New Hampshire and Southern Maine Communities
The NHEP was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Barbara K. & Cyrus B. Sweet III Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation – Piscataqua Region to complete a Piscataqua Region environmental planning assessment.
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NHEP Monitoring Plan

The Monitoring Plan describes the methods and data for the comprehensive suite of indicators used to assess if the goals and objectives of the Management Plan are being met. The previous version of NHEP Monitoring Plan (version 4) was published in 2004. In 2005 and 2006, the NHEP produced a series of indicator reports for the 2006 State of the Estuaries report. Recommended changes to the Monitoring Plan from the indicator reports were reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee on September 27, 2006. The NHEP proposed additional changes to the Monitoring Plan at a meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee on June 10, 2008. The major change between version 4 and version 5 of the Monitoring Plan is the elimination of indicators that have not been used for management decisions but require significant staff resources to compile. Also, the methodologies for several indicators were changed to more accurately reflect how these indicators are calculated.
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Community Land Conservation in the Coastal Watershed

Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire hired a Community Land Protection Specialist to expand the region’s capacity to implement and complete conservation efforts within the coastal watershed, and specifically within the Lamprey River and Exeter River corridors. From January 2007 through June 2008, the Specialist completed six land conservation transactions totaling 236 acres (1,200 feet of frontage on the Lamprey River and more than 800 feet of frontage on the Exeter River) and assisted with the completion of six other land conservation transactions totaling 213 acres (8,000 feet of frontage on the Lamprey River, 300 feet on the Taylor River, and a significant salt marsh in Rye).
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Hampton Falls’ Prime Wetlands Designation

West Environmental Inc staff (WEI) worked with Hampton Falls Conservation Commission to prepare a zoning amendment to designate 10 Prime Wetlands in the town, totally 1,270.8 acres. The amendment was approved by the citizens of Hampton Falls at the March 2008 town vote and WEI compiled and submitted the Prime Wetlands Designation application to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on August 4, 2008. This effort was funded by the NHEP Community Technical Assistance Program.
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Evaluation of NHEP Outreach: A Survey of Planning Boards and Conservation Commissions

This report presents the findings of a survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center of planning board and conservation commissions in the 42 coastal watershed communities of New Hampshire from November 2007 to February 2008. Background information about a similar survey conducted in 2005 and a summary of NHEP outreach activity from August 2005 to February 2008 is also provided to assist in the interpretation of the survey. Conclusions by NHEP staff are offered at the end of the report.
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Incidence and Timing of Low Dissolved Oxygen Events in the Squamscott River: 2005-07

The goal of this study was to provide information that would help predict when conditions for low dissolved oxygen (DO) are most likely to occur. Data from the Squamscott River datasonde were analyzed to determine when low DO episodes occurred during 2005-07. The main questions being addressed were whether criteria chosen for the timing of field efforts conducted by Jones (2007) were accurate, and whether 2005 was an unusual year compared to previous and ensuing years relative to overall conditions conducive to the onset and incidence of low DO episodes.
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Upcoming Events

8-20-08: VIP Tour of Great Bay for Municipal Planning Officials, 9am - Noon, boat leaves and returns to UNH pier in New Castle. Registration Closed

9-13-08: VIP Tour of Great Bay, 9am - Noon, boat leaves and returns to UNH pier in New Castle. Registration Closed

9-26-08: NHEP Management Committee Meeting, 9am - Noon, location TBD

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Announcements

Request for Proposals for the
2009 Local Grants Program
The NHEP is accepting project proposals for its annual Local Grants Program. Selected projects will result in achievement or significant progress toward achievement of one or more Action Plans described in the NHEP Management Plan. This is the first year that entities working in the Maine part of the Great Bay Watershed (Acton, Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, Lebanon, North Berwick, Sanford, South Berwick, Wells, and York) will be eligible for this grant program. Instead of directly referencing Action Plans, Maine-based projects should address actions in existing watershed plans with goals that are consistent with the NHEP Management Plan. An applicant may submit a project proposal for up to $8,000 of NHEP funds; however a 50% match is required. An original proposal and five double-sided copies must be received by NHEP Project Coordinator, Dave Kellam, by 4:00 p.m. on September 25, 2008.
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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.
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Watershed Grant Pre-proposals due August 29, 2008