Program content coordinator Nancy O’ Connor attended the Natural Resource Outreach Coalition (NROC) meeting on Thursday, July 26. NROC was created to be a “one-stop shop” for regional communities for engagement, outreach, and communications.

 

Thursday’s meeting provided updates to many outreach and implementation efforts across the region. Discussions included updates on federal MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) permitting, which many of our towns are working on through stormwater coalitions across the state, and reviews of outreach materials and products for the NH Department of Environmental Services’ management plan for non-point source (NPS) outreach.

Participants also discussed NROC work and outreach materials related to municipal water‑quality‑friendly turf care, an ongoing effort that enlists UNH Cooperative Extension agriculture specialists to assist municipalities considering local policy approaches to turf and landscape care. An update was given about the Every Drop campaign, which will be a local initiative to improve awareness of clean water and best practices.

 

The group is looking at creating a tally of coastal municipal efforts in order to streamline coordination, outreach, and communications efforts. If you have questions or resources, please contact Nancy O’Connor at noconnor@strafford.org .

Pieces of Interest

Recycling Partnership Grant Opportunity

Great Bay Wildlife Refuge Shore Clean Up event

SRPC staffers are working with Rockingham Planning Commission, NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), and NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to update a computer model that analyzes inter-regional traffic and travel demand.

A recent court decision in California requires metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) across the country to demonstrate that their planning regions are “in attainment” of past national air quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). Strafford and Rockingham MPOs use the computer model to demonstrate how their regions achieve these standards. The Strafford region met the standards in 2009 and the model was used for several years afterward, but it was last used in 2014 and requires an update to meet the requirements initiated by the court case.

The model analyzes traffic data, looks at travel patterns based on employment locations and population distribution, and incorporates projections of development and infrastructure improvements to create a comprehensive picture of how traffic patterns will change due to projected growth and transportation investments. In addition to completing analyses required by the court case, Stafford MPO will be working with MPO partners and state agencies to improve regional and statewide modeling capacity.

Pieces of Interest

NHARPC CORNER: Approaches to Planning Recreational Trail Networks

Regional economic development planner James Burdin attended the official announcement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields awards for New Hampshire on Monday, July 23. EPA Region 1 Administrator Alexandra Dunn announced the awards totaling $700,000 to Somersworth, the Southwest Regional Planning Commission, and the North Country Council. The event was held at the Somersworth City Hall.

Somersworth received $200,000 to remove contaminated soil from the former Bretton’s Cleaners site at 1 Winter St. Following the cleanup, the property will be returned to the city’s tax rolls. This is the second grant used to restore the property; the first was a $178,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

In addition to Somersworth’s award, Ms. Dunn announced grants for environmental assessments in the amount of $200,000 to the Southwest Regional Planning Commission and $300,000 to the North Country Council.

Learn more in the Foster’s article, Somersworth gets $200k EPA grant to clean contaminated site.

Pieces of Interest

A new approach to economic development in NH