Suncook Nomination Process

Nomination Overview, October 2011 - June 2012 Suncook River to the NH Management & Protection Program Nomination to the Rivers Management and What is the Nomination? Protection A river may be nominated for state designa- Pr ogram tion by community members or organizations.

Sponsors must submit a nomination document Suncook River that includes an inventory and assessment of Corridor the river’s values, characteristics, and signifi- cant resources. The nomination document must Communities: also recommend the classification level(s) de- sired with designation. RSA 483 recognizes Allenstown four different river classifications: Natural,

Barnstead Rural, Rural-Community, and Community. The Chichester nomination must also demonstrate public in- Epsom volvement and support. Nominations are sub- A view of the Suncook River from the Pembroke/ mitted to DES for evaluation by the Commis- Gilmanton Allenstown Double Decker Bridge sioner and the state Rivers Management Advi- Pembroke sory Committee. If approved, the nomination is forwarded to the state legislature. The legisla- Pittsfield The State of New Hampshire established the ture then considers a bill to designate the river Rivers Management and Protection Program formally under RSA 483. (RMPP) in 1988 under RSA 483. The RMPP Nomination Schedule: provides a two-tiered approach to river man- Nominations are due to DES on June 1 in or- ♦ Fall 2011: Formation of agement and protection: State designation of der to be considered in the next legislative Suncook River Nomination significant rivers and protection of instream session. A Suncook River Nomination Com- Committee characteristics, and local development and mittee has been formed to sponsor the River’s ♦ Winter 2011: Initial Pub- adoption of river corridor management plans nomination and oversee the process. Coordi- lic Forum on the Nomina- to protect shorelines and adjacent lands. The nation will be provided by the Central New tion RMPP is administered by the Department of Hampshire Regional Planning Commission and Environmental Services (DES). the Lakes Region Planning Commission. ♦ January - April 2012: Prepare Draft Nomina- tion with resource inven- Why is the Suncook River Being Nominated? tory and assessment The Suncook River Commu- The Suncook River is an ex- dlers, anglers, hikers, and ♦ April - May 2012: Pre- nity Planning Team , formed tremely dynamic system wildlife watchers. It also pro- sent Draft Nomination for in 2010 with Town officials possessing many resources vides a habitat corridor for comment at and emergency management vital to local communities. wildlife . In sum, the Suncook Public Meeting personnel in the five lower Historically and currently, the River represents an important ♦ June 1, 2012: Final Suncook communities, has river has shaped patterns of regional resource whose wa- Nomination Package been working together to settlement in the area . Sev- ter quality, quantity, and flow Submitted to DES promote regional hazard eral hydroelectric dams op- directly affect residents and mitigation and resource erate along the Suncook, and users throughout the region. planning along the Suncook the Towns of Epsom, Pem- Designation would provide River . This group identified a broke, and Allenstown all statewide recognition and need for continued regional depend upon aquifers adja- opportunities for regional communication and coopera- cent to the river for public river management . tion on a variety of matters water supplies. The river is relating to the River. used recreationally by pad- Suncook River Nomination to the NH Rivers Management and Protection Program

Will Designation of the by-case basis using scientific modeling and a significant public involvement process. There Suncook River Mean are no other development restrictions within the RMPP. Local land use decisions remain More Regulations for entirely local. Towns and Landowners? What Designation Will Mean: Local land use control authority is NOT af- The main result of river designation is the fected by state designation of a river. RSA formation of a Local Advisory Committee 483 specifically states that “nothing in this (LAC) composed of volunteer community chapter shall be interpreted to preempt any representatives. The LAC is formally charged land and zoning authority granted to munici- with developing and implementing a river pal bodies . . . .” corridor management plan , including rec- ommendations for land use and conservation There are specific river protections in the within the river corridor. These plans are RSAs relating to the establishment of new advisory only and may be adopted by indi- dams, hydroelectric facilities, landfills, haz- vidual municipalities as part of their master ardous waste facilities, and the agricultural plans if so desired. The LAC may also com- application of sludge within the river corridor. ment on federal, state, and local permit ap- Protected instream flow levels may be estab- plications within the river corridor. The LAC lished by the state to ensure adequate water can provide regional planning and coordi- flow for all users, but would be set on a case- Near the site in Epsom, NH. nation of river-wide events and initiatives. How Can I Participate in the Nomination Process? A key part of the nomination Barnstead and Gilmanton : process is demonstration of local David Jeffers , Regional Planner, support for river designation. You Lakes Region Planning Commis- can attend public forums and sion at [email protected] or meetings to learn more and voice 279-8171. your support; write a support Allenstown, Chichester, Epsom, letter; assist the Suncook River Pembroke, and Pittsfield : Nomination Committee with the Vanessa Goold , Regional Plan- resource inventory and assess- ner, Central NH Regional Plan- ment; provide photos of the river ning Commission at corridor; participate in field vis- [email protected] or its ; and assist in other public out- 226-6020. reach efforts. All Interested Parties : More information will be avail- Jacquie Colburn , Rivers Coordi- able on the Suncook River web- nator, NH Rivers Management & site at www.suncookriver.org . Protection Program, Department Please contact your Regional of Environmental Services at Planning Commission or NHDES [email protected] or with questions or comments: 271-2959.

Stay up to date on the nomination process: www.suncookriver.org