Estuaries Update #87: Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership

Hampton Beach on the 4th of July, Hampton, NH

August 2010, #87

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Recent PREP Activities		Reports and Publications
	NHPR Series on Great Bay 7-13-10: NHPR Environmental Reporter Amy Quinton interviewed PREP staff on the findings from the 2009 State of the Estuaries Report for a week-long series on Great Bay beginning August 16. The segments will air in the morning, between 7:30 - 8:00am, and again at 5:50pm.	The Land Conservation Plan for Maine's Piscataqua Region Watersheds The Land Conservation Plan for Maine’s Piscataqua Region Watersheds is now available in electronic or hardcopy format from PREP. This plan was developed in collaboration with numerous partner agencies and organizations in Maine with a shared vision of developing a scientifically-based blueprint for the permanent protection of wildlife habitat and water quality within the Piscataqua Region of southern Maine. This plan document identifies 25 Conservation Focus Areas (CFAs) that are recommended as priorities for land protection efforts. Contact Derek.Sowers@unh.edu to request a hardcopy of the plan. Upcoming Events and Meetings Public Hearing Notice Nomination of the Oyster River into the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program 8-17-10: Town Hall, Madbury, NH, 6:30 pm Learn More PREP Policy Engagement Subcommittee (PES) 9-9-10: NHFGD Durham Office, 2 pm Celebration of the 2010 Piscataqua Region Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) 9-20-10: New Castle Commons, starts at 3:00 pm PREP Management Committee Meeting 9-29-10: NextEra, Seabrook, NH, 9 am to Noon Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative Workshop 10-27-10: Spring Hill, South Berwick, Maine. PREP Management Committee Meeting 12-16-10: TBD PREP Management Committee Meeting 3-23-11: TBD PREP Management Committee Meeting 6-22-11: TBD Recent News Stories Marine Invaders 8-9-10: The Wire An international team of scientists searches New England's coastal waters for invasive aquatic species. .. 'Superfriends' seek marine invasive species on Seacoast 8-3-10: Seacoast Online Invasive species of plants and animals can have a profound effect on marine and... Environmental groups back EPA plan for reduce nitrogen loads 7-23-10: Portsmouth Herald Representatives of environmental groups weighed in on the protection of the Great Bay estuary ... Latest News From Partners Strafford Regional Planning Commission Office Changes Location New address is Rochester Community Center 150 Wakefield Street, Suite 12, Rochester NH Learn More Siltation Commission Final Report Read Report
	Oyster Restoration 7-13-10: With financial assistance from PREP, The Nature Conservancy and the University of New Hampshire Jackson Estuarine Laboratory restored one acre of oyster reef near Durham's Wagon Hill Farm. Read Seacoast Online Story
	Forum on Great Bay Issues 7-19-10: PREP staff participated in a regional meeting convened by Congresswoman Carol Shae Porter to discuss the current status of Great Bay and the needs of the surrounding communities. Attendees included representatives from federal and state agencies, municipalities, University of New Hampshire, and regional stakeholder groups including Southeast Watershed Alliance (SWA). Discussions included concerns and opportunities for Great Bay, needs around greater monitoring data/capacity, and roles of federal agencies in assisting existing efforts. The meeting also included a presentation from SWA on planned efforts to address watershed-wide issues.
	Save Great Bay 7-23-10: PREP staff participated in the Save Great Bay advocacy group meeting that included a discussion on identifying and advocating for regional solutions to the water quality impairments in Great Bay.
	Rapid Assessment of Marine Invasive Species 7-29-10: PREP funding supported three locations in the Region for the Northeast Rapid Assessment of Marine Invasive Species. Read 2003 Report - Read Seacoast Online Story - Read Story in The Wire
	Long-time PREP Management Committee Member Dave Funk Passes 7-29-10: From the very beginning of PREP in the late 90s (then called New Hampshire Estuaries Project), Dave Funk had been an energetic member of the Management Committee as he represented the Great Bay Stewards. He participated in countless study committees and grant review teams over the years and his tireless encouragement for the work being done energized the program. Dave's steadfast dedication to a lifetime of environmental stewardship remains an inspiration to PREP staff, fellow committee members, and everyone who loves the natural beauty of the Region. He will be greatly missed.

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