New Hampshire
New Hampshire Estuaries Project
Little River - North Hampton, New Hampshire
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Customized Bookmarks for Each of the 42 Coastal Watershed Communities

2006 State of the Estuaries Community Bookmark

In January of 2007, the NHEP mailed copies of the 2006 State of the Estuaries Report to each member of community planning boards and conservation commissions in NH's coastal watershed. In each report, a bookmark was placed that gave specific information on population, acres of impervious surface, percent of impervious surface in the community and acres of impervious surfaces per person. Also indicated were key conservation areas that were identified by The Land Conservation Plan for NH's Coastal Watersheds.

In addition to specific community information, the bookmarks also included reccomended actions that communities should take to protect their resources. Report citations and contact information on resource protection professionals were also given for each action. This information is reproduced in the main body of this web page.

For more copies of this bookmark for a specific community, contact Dave Kellam.

Link to Bookmark
Table of Contents

 

 

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Recommended Community Actions
Learn About and Protect Critical Habitats
Designate Prime Wetlands
Update Buffer Regulations
Adopt Regulations that Reduce Sprawl
Promote Effective Stormwater Management


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LEARN ABOUT AND PROTECT CRITICAL HABITATS

Municipalities should conduct a natural resources inventory to identify critical habitats and then prioritize areas for land protection. Appropriate land conservation strategies can follow, such as fee simple purchases, conservation easements, and regulatory protections. Many communities commit town funding and/or earmark land use change taxes for land conservation. Master plans and ordinances should be updated to better protect critical town resources.

Resources
Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watersheds Identifies key areas to be protected and develops regional strategies for maintaining diverse habitats, forest ecosystems, and water resources All planning boards & conservation commissions have a copy of the plan. For more information, contact Mark Zankel (603.224.5853)

NH Wildlife Action Plan Contains conservation strategies and maps identifying highest quality habitats. For more information, contact Emily Brunkhurst (603.271.2461)

Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation Inventory for 19 Coastal Communities Identifies wetlands restoration, creation, and protection projects. For more information, contact Mark West (603.659.0416)

Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) Helps communities identify important resources and develop protection plans. For more information, contact Amanda Stone (603.364.5324)

NHEP Community Technical Assistance Program Provides professional consultants to address community conservation issues. For more information, contact Dave Kellam


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DESIGNATE PRIME WETLANDS

Prime Wetlands are better protected from development. To designate them, a community hires a wetlands scientist to map and evaluate its wetlands. Those that meet the Prime Wetlands criteria are discussed at a public hearing and voted on by the community. Once adopted by the community, NH Department of Environmental Services accepts and maintains the documents. Depending on the extent of the wetlands, this process takes about a year and costs about $20,000.

Resources
NHEP Community Technical Assistance Program For more information, contact Dave Kellam

NHDES Wetlands Bureau: Prime Wetlands Designation Education For more information, contact Sandy Crystall (603.271.2147)

Communities that completed the prime wetlands designation process The NHEP can provide contact information for individuals from these communities. For more information, contact Dave Kellam.

 


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UPDATE BUFFER REGULATIONS
Buffers benefit water quality and wildlife by providing habitat, filtering pollutants from runoff, promoting groundwater infiltration, and stabilizing stream banks to control erosion. Many communities do not have adequate buffer regulations (set-back ordinances do not protect buffers). Buffers must be undisturbed areas with diverse natural vegetation to be fully functional.

Resources
Stream Buffer Characterization Data and Maps
Town specific maps that assess 150 and 300 foot buffer areas
For more information, contact Dave Kellam

Buffer Data Mapper
Demonstrates the land area impact of various buffer widths. For more information, contact Dave Kellam

Buffers for Wetlands & Surface Waters: Guide for NH Municipalities Includes definitions, site specific considerations, and recommended buffer widths

NHEP Buffer Outreach Program
Provides buffer workshops and general consulting on buffer protection. For more information, contact Dave Kellam

Portsmouth Buffer Project and Demonstration Site
Provides workshops, site recommendations, and landscaping plans. For more information, contact Steve Miller (603.778.0015)

NHEP Community Technical Assistance Program
Provides professional consultants to develop buffer ordinances. For more information, contact Jodi Castallo.


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ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT REDUCE SPRAWL

According to the 2006 State of the Estuaries Report, sprawling development is increasing in southeastern New Hampshire. Communities should incorporate conservation subdivisions, transfer of development rights, and other innovative land use regulations to minimize sprawl.

Resources
Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed
Includes model ordinance for a Conservation Overlay District All planning boards & conservation commissions have a copy of the plan.
For more information, contact Mark Zankel (603.224.5853)

Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC)
Helps communities develop approaches that minimize sprawl. For more information, contact Amanda Stone (603.364.5324)

Regional Planning Commissions
Rockingham Planning Commission
For more information, contact Cliff Sinnott (603.778.0885)

Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission
For more information, contact David Preece (603.669.4664)

Strafford Regional Planning Commission
For more information, contact Cynthia Copeland (603.742.2523)



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PROMOTE EFFECTIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Communities should develop ordinances that encourage low impact development (LID) stormwater management treatment devices. Communities’ development ordinances also should minimize impervious surfaces in new developments and require best management practices during construction to minimize erosion, limit stormwater runoff, and promote infiltration. Municipalities’ own practices should include regular street vacuuming, catch basin cleaning, and proper management of snow dumping sites.


Resources
NHEP Community Technical Assistance Program
Provides professional consultants to address stormwater management needs.
For more information, contact Dave Kellam

University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center
Offers workshops that cover the performance, cost, and maintenance of over a dozen stormwater management devices. For more information, contact Dr. Rob Roseen (603.862.4024)

 

 

 

 

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2006 State of the Estuaries Report

2006 State of the Estuaries Report

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