State Agency Lake Forum Overview of State Agency Roles and Mandates Regarding Lakes February 24, 2006 Department of Resources and Economic Development Fish and Game Department Mission - As guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to: Conserve, manage and protect those resources and their habitats; Inform and educate the public about those resources; Provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate those resources. Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Management of fish and wildlife resources: – Inland Fisheries Management Program – Fisheries Habitat Program – Wildlife Management Program – Wildlife Habitat Program • Enforcement of fish, wildlife and boating safety laws and regulations: – Conservation Law Enforcement – Boating Safety Enforcement F&G Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Educate the public about fish and wildlife resources; Provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate those resources: – Aquatic Resources Education Program – Let’s Get the Lead Out Education Program – Let’s Go Fishing Program • Statewide Public Boat Access Program – Development of public boating access areas on public waters F&G Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work • 48 Conservation Officers • 6 Deputy Conservation Officers • 9 Fisheries Biologists • 2 Wildlife Biologists • 2 Ecologists • 1 Program Coordinator – Boat Access F&G Current and Critical Topics • Conservation Law Enforcement: – Use and Sale of Lead Fishing Tackle • Fisheries and Wildlife Management: – Lake Level Draw-downs in the Fall – Non-point Source Pollution – Management and control of aquatic nuisance species – Modifications to shallow-water habitat, shorelines and riparian vegetative cover. • Public Boat Access: – Access to Large Lakes F&G Current Projects Regarding Lakes • Fisheries Management Projects: – Fisheries Habitat Surveys – Lake Trout Population Assessment – Landlocked Salmon Population Assessment – Rainbow Smelt Population Assessment – Forage Fish Population Assessment – Warm-water Fish Population Assessment – Cold-water Fish Population Assessment • Implementation of Wildlife Action Plan: – Lake Classification and Condition Analysis with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) F&G Current Projects Regarding Lakes • Statewide Public Boat Access Program: – Winnisquam Lake Boat Access Project – Merrymeeting Lake Boat Access Project – Sunapee Lake Boat Access Project – Partnership with NH Lakes Association on Lake Hosts Program (12 Boat Access Sites) F&G NH Department of Safety Division of Safety Services The mission of the Division of Safety Services, through its Marine Patrol Bureau and ancillary programs, is to provide a safe, enjoyable and environmentally responsible use for all of the State’s public waters. New Hampshire Department of Safety Through its programs and sections, operations, aids to navigation, boating education and moorings program, the Division provides a comprehensive marine safety enforcement program, placing over 3500 aids to navigation, regulates moorings on the State’s six largest bodies of water and offers boater education for all recreational and commercial boat operators. DOS New Hampshire Department of Safety Through its Hearings Bureau pursuant to RSA 270:11 and RSA 270:74-a, the Department of Safety conducts hearings and promulgates use restrictions and regulatory practices for all of the State’s public waters. DOS Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Enforcement of State boating laws, criminal laws and administrative rules • Investigation of all boating accidents and drownings • Provide homeland/port security • Install and maintain navigational aids DOS Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Permitting for water events, swim lines and slalom courses • Permitting of approximately 5,000 moorings • Aquatherm enforcement • Ensure the removal of sunken petroleum powered vehicles/OHRV from public waters DOS Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Respond to complaints from the public • Provide boating education certification courses via classroom, internet and home study • Enforce wetlands permit posting requirements DOS Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work • Full Time – 6 uniformed law enforcement personnel – 4 maintenance mechanics – 3 clerical personnel – 6 other support personnel DOS Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work • Part Time – 75 uniformed law enforcement personnel (target number 100) – 2 clerical personnel – 7 dispatchers DOS Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes • Speed limit (legislative proposal) • Moorings – Lakes not covered by law – Unpermitted moorings – Mooring placement DOS Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes • Swim rafts – Inconsistent with State policies – Used as boundary lines – Create artificial fence DOS Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes • Competing interests – Property owners – Swimmers – Paddlesports – Water Skiers – Sailboats – PWC’s – Rafting – Fishermen – Water events – Commercial operators – Summer camps DOS DOS Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes • Safe Passage Awareness Program - Placement of 150 foot informational buoys in high traffic docking areas • Expanding public relations outreach (practical boating safety fair) DOS Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes • Implementation of environmentally friendly four cycle engine replacement for Marine Patrol fleet DOS Department of Transportation Mission-To plan, construct and maintain the best possible transportation system and State facilities in the most efficient, Environmentally Sensitive and economical manner, utilizing quality management techniques consistent with available resources and mandated controls. Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Maintain and construct transportation facilities while avoiding or minimizing the impacts to the environment, including lakes • Assist other Agencies to provide access to lakes, through our Project Development Division and/or Operations Division • Serve as a member of the Lakes Management Advisory Committee • Serve as a member of the Wetlands Council • Serve as a member of the Public Access Advisory Board DOT Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work • Commissioner’s designee to the Lakes Management Advisory Committee • Commissioner’s designee to the Public Waters Access Advisory Board • All members of the staff are dedicated to reducing the impacts to New Hampshire Lakes while fulfilling our mission • Establishing a Water Quality Program Manager Position DOT Current and Critical Topics • Rising Chloride levels in lakes • Public Access across DOT Property • Complying with EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. Including elimination of illicit discharges • Construction impacts to water quality • Participating in Lake Management Programs • Post-construction stormwater management DOT Current Projects Regarding Lakes • Belmont, US Route 3 – Winnisquam • Enfield, Shaker Bridge – Mascoma NH Route 4A – Mascoma • Meredith, US Route 3/NH Route 25 – Winnipesaukee • Chesterfield, NH Route 63 – Spofford • Conway, NH Route 16 – Pequawket • Manchester, Candia Road – Massabesic • Windam-Salem, NH Route 111- Shadow • Revised Winter Maintenance Programs DOT Dept. of Resources and Economic Development Purpose: To improve the administration of state government by providing unified direction of policies, programs, and personnel in the field of resources and economic development making possible increased efficiencies and economics from integrated administration and operation of these related functions of state government. (Ch 233, Laws of 1961) DRED Division of Forests and Lands Purpose: It is hereby recognized and declared that the public welfare of this state requires the maintenance, protection, conservation, multiple use, and rehabilitation of forests for the social, economic, and environmental benefits that result from a diverse forest cover. Such benefits include forest products, a viable forest-based economy, recreation opportunities, scenic values, healthful surroundings, climate mitigation, clean water, and biologically diverse populations of plants and animals. It is further recognized that long-term sustainability of the state's forests will require: the prudent acquisition and management of state-owned forests; data collection, planning, and education; protection of critical resources; monitoring and protection of forest health; and control of woodland fires. (RSA 227-G:1) DRED Division of Parks and Recreation Intent: To develop a comprehensive state parks system that protects and preserves recreation, historic, scenic and natural areas of the state, to continually provide such additional park areas and facilities, to make these accessible to the public for recreational, educational, scientific and other uses consistent with their protection and preservation, and to encourage and support tourism and related economic activities within the state. (RSA 216-A:1) DRED Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes • Manage 180,000 + acres of forest and park lands that help protect water quality. • Over 30 parks and recreation areas provide public access and recreation to lakes and ponds. • 12 boat launches, 3 managed in cooperation with F&G. • Own and maintain 26 dams. • Member of 6 water related committees and councils (LMAC, RMAC, PWAAB, Wetlands Council, Water Council and Beach Advisory Program). • Develop in partnership with others the “BMP to Assure Water Quality for Forest Management