The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has filed a final rulemaking proposal to establish Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)/drinking water standards and Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) to ensure greater protection of public health related to the consumption of drinking water. The rulemaking proposal was filed last Friday with the New Hampshire Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) for consideration at their  July 18, 2019, meeting . If approved by JLCAR, the new rules are scheduled to become  effective on October 1, 2019 .  Estimated costs are in the vicinity of  $200 million . 

 

NHDES is proposing the following drinking water standards that are protective for the most sensitive populations over a lifetime of exposure:

 

These MCLs are drinking water quality standards which non-transient public water systems (water systems serving the same 25 people at least 60 days a year) must comply with. An AGQS is the standard used to require remedial action and the provision of alternative drinking water at a contaminated site. It also dictates the conditions under which treated and untreated wastewater may be discharged to groundwater. Current law requires AGQSs be the same value as any MCL established by NHDES and also that they be at least as stringent as health advisories set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2016, NHDES adopted EPA's health advisory for PFOA and PFOS as an AGQS at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) individually or combined.

 

To establish these MCLs, NHDES had to consider the extent to which the contaminants are found in New Hampshire, the ability to detect them in public water systems, the ability to remove the contaminant from drinking water, and the costs and benefits to affected parties that will result from establishing the standard, and then develop a MCL for each compound that is protective of the most sensitive population at all life stages.

Included with the final proposal, NHDES provided the following:

Copies of the final proposed rules are available here.   

Funding is available from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to develop and implement programs to protect existing sources of public drinking water. The grants are available to water suppliers, municipalities, regional planning agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, conservation districts, and state agencies. Applicants can receive up to $20,000 for projects that protect drinking water sources, including watershed planning, delineation of protection areas, assessment of threats to water supply sources, "on the ground" implementation projects, and source security.

 

The application packet is now available online to provide sufficient lead time for applicants to work with stakeholders to determine what protections are necessary to address potential contamination threats, coordinate with working partners, and determine a budget.  NHDES is happy to confer with potential applicants in advance of the development of an application.

 

Examples of projects:

 

For more information or for an application please visit the page below, or contact NHDES staff to discuss your project.  https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/lswp_grants.htm.

Please contact  Andrew Madison, NHDES  Source Protection Coordinator, by telephone at  (603) 271-2950 or email him at  [email protected].

According to its Executive Summary, the property tax is the largest source of revenue raised by local governments.  

Prepared by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Minnesota Center of Fiscal Excellence, this June 2019 report documents the wide range of property tax rates in more than 100 U.S. cities and helps explain why they vary so widely. This  context is important because high property tax rates usually reflect some combination of heavy property tax reliance with low sales and income taxes, low home values that drive up the tax rate needed to raise enough revenue, or higher local government spending and better public services.  In addition, some cities use property tax classification, which can result in considerably higher tax rates on business and apartment properties than on homesteads.

READ REPORT HERE!

In accordance with RSA 72:-c, Valuation of Telecommunications Poles and Conduits, the New Hampshire  Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) recently posted a schedule of telecommunications poles and conduit costs under the formula known as Replacement Cost New (less depreciation calculated on a straight-line basis for a period of 40 years with a residual value of 20 percent).  Here are the 2019 costs and schedule below:

Click here for 2019 Poles Costs .

Click here for 2019 Conduit Costs.

Click here for 2019 Depreciation Schedule.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the Utility Tax Appraiser, Catherine Capron, by phone at 603.230.5950, or by email at  [email protected].

The New Hampshire  Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) is proposing to adopt with amendment administrative rules Rev 400 relative to the tax credit for combat service enacted under Chapter 151, Laws of 2018 (RSA 72:28-c).  Rev 401 defines combat service and Rev 405 explains the eligibility requirements for the credit.   Rev 402 and Rev 418 are being amended to add the combat service credit to the list of optional tax credits and to the rules regarding the application form PA-29.  A copy of the proposed rules is available here .   

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is proposing to adopt administrative rule Env-Dw 1300 regarding grants and loans from the drinking water and groundwater trust fund.  The proposed rules include standard definitions; an administrative completeness review process and timeframes for Department processing of applications; requirements and processes for entering into loan and grant agreements; standards for preparation and approval of plans and specifications, preparation and approval of contract documents, and obtaining approval to award construction contracts; and procedures for disbursements of grant and loan funds and the repayments of loans.  A copy of the proposed rules is available   here.

 

A public hearing on the proposed rules is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the NHDEs Offices, Room 112, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord.  The deadline for submission of  written comments is 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2019.   

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) is proposing to  amend administrative rule Rev 3402 relative to the "Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber" under the timber tax.  The amendments incorporate changes enacted in Chapter 182, Laws of 2018 (RSA 79:10). A copy of the proposed rules is available  here .

Local leaders were invited to consider economic gardening, which promotes sustainable and long-term economic growth through non-traditional initiatives - from cultivating community engagement from diverse stakeholders to creating spaces for ideation, and from leveraging small dollars to support economic development, to removing the weeds or barriers for local economic engines. 

In an article by Timothy Evans, Program Manager at the National League of Cities within the Center for Member and Partner Engagement, below are the steps critical to building economic vitality in your city or town:

Build your civic infrastructure

Leverage municipal resources to support and grow 

Inspire local entrepreneurs to dream and implement

Use placemaking demonstrations to implement permanent ideas

Get out of the way of community ideas

Click here to read more!

• Inspecting School Assembly Occupancies
• Inspecting Tents and Commercial Kitchens
• Inspecting Oil Burners, Gas Lines and Appliances and the Most Common Plumbing Violations
• Youth Firesetter and Rural Fire Prevention Program

You can find dates and registration information on the Fire Marshal's  home page.