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 Activity” and “Good Forestry in the Granite State.” • Law Enforcement provided to enforce water quality (RSA 485-a & 483-a) and basal area (RES 5300).

DRED Number of Employees Dedicated to Lake Related Work

DRED does not have any full or part-time employees solely devoted to lake related work but three categories of lake related management take place; Land Management . Land Agents & Foresters Recreation Management . Park Managers and staff Law Enforcement . Forest Rangers DRED Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes

• Ahern State Park and other state beaches in regards to water quality issues and the beach advisory program. • Ossipee Lake Natural Area management. • Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest management. • Lake Sunapee Public Waters Access (F&G Wild Goose Site). • Funding for land conservation on lakes and ponds. • Funding for enforcement of water quality and basal area investigations.

DRED Current Projects Regarding Lakes

• Beach replenishment at Bear Brook, Pawtuckaway, Silver Lake and Sunapee State Parks. • Road and Bridge Reconstruction at Annett State Forest that will improve public access. • Reconstruction of Hog Back Trail at Greenfield State Park to address lakeside trail erosion.

DRED Dept of Agriculture Markets and Foods

Agency Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food is to promote agriculture in the public interest and to serve farmers and consumers in the marketplace. Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

• The Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food has no specific responsibilities regarding lakes. It has indirect involvement in lake-related areas through its powers to regulate fertilizers, manure and pesticides.

DAMF Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work

• Full Time Aquatic treatment special permits .2 of a person

• Part Time Manure and fertilizer complaints .1 of a person

DAMF Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes

• Domestic water intakes in treated areas

DAMF Current Projects Regarding Lakes

0

DAMF Office of Energy and Planning

OEP does not currently coordinate any programs or projects related to lakes or ponds. Department of Environmental Services

The mission of the Department of Environmental Services is to help sustain a high quality of life for all citizens by protecting and restoring the environment and public health in New Hampshire. Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

• Integrated management of aquatic resources on a watershed basis • Management to preserve ecological integrity: Protection and Restoration • Data-driven environmental decision-making – Environmental Monitoring Database / statistical data analysis – Are waterbodies supporting designated uses? – Trends: are conditions getting better or worse?

DES Programs with Lake-Related Focus

• Lake Assessment • Lake Management and Program Protection Program • Volunteer Lake • Clean Vessel Act Assessment Program • Boat Inspections • Exotics Species • Hg Fish Tissue Analysis • Clean Lakes Program • Limnology Center • Beach Inspection Program • Wetlands • Site Specific • Shoreland Protection • Drinking Water Supply • Dam Bureau • Smart Growth Program

DES Lake-related Councils and Committees

• Water Council • Wetlands Council • Water Resources Council • Lakes Management Advisory Committee

DES Major Active Legislative Study Committees/Commissions Established by Statute

• Water Resources Study Committee • Shoreland Protection Act Commission • Winnipesaukee Watershed Advisory Committee • Milfoil and Other Exotic Aquatic Plant Committee

DES Number of Employees Dedicated to Lake Related Work

• 11 FTEs working as lake biologists • 2 FTEs working as Shoreland Protection Coordinators • 1 FTE working as a lake planner • ½ FTE working on lakes planning

DES Current and Critical Topics

• Cyanobacteria blooms • Shoreland development • Exotic Species • Mercury in the environment • Land-use change and land development • Lake carrying capacity

Current Projects Relating to Lakes

• Expanding our volunteering monitoring programs • Assisting towns with developing watershed protection overlays for lake protection • Fish tissue analyses for Hg concentration • Exotic species prevention, research, and control • Cyanobacteria toxicity testing • Regulating shoreland development • Developing lake management plans • Reducing impacts from erosion/sedimentation problems that result from construction activities • Enhancing safety of state owned dams

Department of Resources and Economic Development A Partnership In Protecting Lakes