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Draft Suncook River Nomination Materials

DRAFT Suncook River Nomination Document for 04-18-12   Note: On April 9, 2012, the Gilmanton Board of Selectmen voted to withdraw from the nomination process. This DRAFT document and accompanying maps do not yet reflect changes that will be made as a result. Future versions will be amended prior to submittal to the NH Department of Environmental Services on June 1.   Appendix A - Maps:

Map 1: Proposed River Classifications

Map 2: Stratified Drift Aquifers

Map 3: Wildlife Action Plan 2010 Map 4: Unfragmented Blocks Map 5: Natural Communities Map 6: Existing Land Use Map 7: Cultural and Recreational Resources Map 8: Managed Resources Map 9: Zoning Districts   Appendix B - Letters of Support Appendix C - Documentation of Public and Riparian Landowner Notification Appendix D - Outreach Materials Appendix E - Media Coverage Appendix F - Land Use Regulatory Summary

As a means to continue the Suncook River Community Planning Team in a more formal capacity, to augment the coordination among neighboring communities along the River, and to continue to work on mitigation issues for the health and safety of the people and environment of Allenstown, Epsom, Pembroke, Chichester, Pittsfield, as well as the headwater communities of Gilmanton and Barnstead, the Planning Team initiated the nomination of the Suncook River for designation under the Rivers Management and Protection Program (RMPP). The RMPP, established in 1988 under RSA 483, is a program administered by the NH Department of Environmental Services that recognizes rivers for their outstanding resources and values. It also provides for the formation of a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) made up of volunteers who coordinate planning and outreach efforts along the river. This would be a logical way to carry the Team’s momentum since most of the short- and medium- term Tasks have now been completed.

 

A volunteer LAC, comprised of individuals from all interested municipalities along the River, including Gilmanton and Barnstead, will develop a management plan for the Suncook River should a nomination be completed and its designation approved by the Legislature. Representatives to the LAC are nominated by Boards of Selectmen and formally appointed by the DES Commissioner.

 

The CNHRPC was awarded Clean Water Act Section 604(b) funds from DES which have provided the funding to develop a nomination package.  This nomination inventories the River’s characteristics and values and obtains community support of those towns along the River. Representatives from the Boards of Selectmen, NHDES, CNHRPC, and the Lakes Region Planning Commission held a meeting on July 14, 2011 to further discuss the potential development of a nomination package as well as to hear about the upcoming Fluvial Erosion Hazard (FEH) study of the River. The Nomination Committee, made up of two representatives from each riverfront town, sponsored a public information meeting on December 8, 2011 to kick off the nomination process. The Committee has continued to meet regularly in 2012 and will host a  second public information meeting on April 18, 2012 when a draft nomination package has been assembled.

 

Photo Above: Bridge across the Suncook River in Pittsfield. Photo courtesy of Mark Wallace.