Advocacy Alert!

Please share this widely with your neighbors and friends.

Below is an important update from our partners at NH LAKES

about lake-friendly bills that are being heard next week! These bills aim to reduce pollution in our lakes feeding excessive plant and algae growth and increasing cyanobacteria blooms. If passed, these bills would help foster a culture of lake preservation throughout New Hampshire.

The following bills are important for the Lake Sunapee Watershed:

HB 332: Allowing for the establishment of a village district to protect and remediate surface waters

What this bill does: It enables multiple municipalities surrounding a lake to form a village district in an area around the lake to protect and restore lake health. Unlike a general town government, a village district is a special, limited-purpose form of government established to address a particular need within a community.

Why this bill is important:

• Having one governing body in an area around a lake dedicated to and responsible for protecting and improving lake health would result in more efficient and effective approaches for the lake-friendly management of the landscape and activities around that lake. 
• Having a special village district around the lake would take the burden off of individual town governments for lake protection.
• The establishment of consistent regulations around lakes that span multiple towns would reduce confusion for residents about setbacks and permitted activities.
• Residents would benefit from special programs and technical support offered throughout the district, helping them manage their property in a lake-friendly way and protecting their investment along the lake.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Hearing Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22, 10:00 AM, Legislative Office Building, Rm. 305

If multiple municipalities surround your lake, be sure to let the committee hearing this bill know why having the ability to form a village district to restore and protect the lake's health makes sense for residents, the town, the lake, and the state.  

HB 422: Increasing penalties for violations of the shoreland and water quality protection act

What this bill does: It increases the penalty that the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services may levy upon any person who violates the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act from $5,000 to up to $15,000 per violation. 

Why this bill is important:

• The Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act establishes a protected shoreland area close to lakes, rivers, and streams. Within this area, vegetation removal, excavation, fill, fertilizer use, and development activities are regulated to safeguard waterbody health. The fines for violations of the Act have not increased with the cost of inflation over the years. 
• Increasing the fines for violations may serve as an increased deterrent for people to knowingly violate the Act. With increased compliance, lakes would be cleaner and healthier. 

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Hearing Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22, 1:00 PM, Legislative Office Building, Rm. 305

If violations of the Shoreland Protection Act are a problem along your lake, be sure to share your story with the committee hearing this bill.

HB 334: Adding Environmental Provisions to the State Development Plan

What this bill does: It adds provisions to the comprehensive state development plan concerning protecting natural resources and identifying environmental threats.



Why this bill is important: 

• It adds a section to the state development plan to propose policies to protect resources including: drinking water aquifer identification and protection, protection of our lakes, rivers, estuaries, forest, wetlands and shoreline uplands, coastal marshlands, wildlife habitat
• It adds an environmental threats section to the state development plan which identifies environmental threats from chemical and biological contamination, waste disposal, and inadequate recycling opportunities, in order to address the cumulative effects of natural and man-made contaminants on our air, waters, and land, and to anticipate possible future threats to our natural environment.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Hearing Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22, 10:45 AM, Legislative Office Building, Rm. 305

HB 416: Prohibiting the intentional disposal of yard waste into the surface waters of the state

What this bill does: It prohibits the intentional disposal of yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, garden debris) into the surface waters of the state and provides a penalty for doing so.

Why this bill is important: 

• Yard debris dumped into lakes adds nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) that fuel the excessive growth of plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
• This prohibition would heighten awareness among those who manage yards around lakes, helping to foster a culture of lake preservation. People who would otherwise think nothing of blowing leaves or dumping grass clippings into a lake would likely not do so if they knew it was against the law and they could be fined.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Hearing Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22, 1:30 PM, Legislative Office Building, Rm. 301-303

If yard waste dumping is a problem along your lake, be sure to share your story with the committee hearing this bill.

Here's How to Show Your Support of These Bills by Tuesday, January 21:

You will need to sign in support separately for each of the bills. 

STEP 1: Go to the NH General Court House Online Testimony submission form and fill in your personal information: 

https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx

STEP 2: Select the Date of the Hearing: Wednesday, January 22

STEP 3: Select the Bill

Select the Committee:

• House Resources, Recreation and Development
• HB 332 - Village District (Jan. 22)
• HB 422 - Increasing violation penalties (Jan. 22)
• HB 334 - Adding environmental provisions (Jan. 22)
• House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• HB 416 - Disposal of yard waste (Jan. 22)

Choose the Bill:

• 10:00 AM - HB 332 (Village District)
• 10:45 AM - HB 334 (Adding environmental provisions)
• 1:00 PM - HB 422 (Increasing violation penalties)
• 1:30 PM - HB 416 (Disposal of yard waste)

I am: A member of the public

I'm Representing: Myself

Indicate your position on this Bill: I support this bill

STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony

• Personal stories matter and can make a BIG impact on legislators.
• For each bill, tell the committee why you support the bill and why they should, too. Upload an attachment or type a few sentences into the space provided.
• Focus on why the bill would help to protect and improve the health of the lake(s) in your community.
• Stress that the health of New Hampshire's lakes is deteriorating and that we must all take action to restore and preserve lake health before it's too late.
• Remind legislators that clean and healthy lakes are important for everyone who lives and visits New Hampshire, and they are important to the state economy. 

STEP 5: Final Review and Submit

Repeat steps 1-5 for each of the three bills. Again, you will need to do this process separately for each bill.

In Addition to Supporting These Bills Online, You Can Also:

1. Attend the Hearing and Register Your Support

• You don't have to speak at the public hearing, but our lakes need a large crowd standing up to support these bills. 
• Let Andrea LaMoreaux, NH LAKES President and Policy Advocate, know if you plan to attend any of the hearings so she can show you where to sign in when you get there.

2. Attend the Hearing and Share Your Personal Story in Support

• A two to three-minute personal story from you at the hearing about why you support a bill can leave a lasting impression on committee members. 
• Let Andrea know if you plan to testify so you can coordinate your talking points. 
• Be sure to bring 20 copies of your written testimony letter to the hearing to share with the committee. Or, email Andrea your letter at least the day before the hearing and she will print out copies and give them to you at the hearing. 

Thank you for your support!