Voting Members: Kenneth D. Kimball N.H. Rivers Management and Protection Program Chair Recreational Interests N.H. Rivers Management Advisory Committee Michele L. Tremblay Vice Chair Conservation Community Mark Lombardi January 25, 2017 Granite State Hydropower Association The Honorable Chris Christensen, Chair Fredrick J. McNeill Resources, Recreation and Development Committee Municipal Officer Legislative Office Building, Room 305 Roger Noonan Concord, NH 03301 Agricultural Community Allan G. Palmer RE: HB 486 Relative to the protection of wetlands. Business & Industry Association Dear Chair Christensen and Members of the Committee: James W. Ryan NH Fish & Game Commission The Rivers Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) is writing to Larry T. Spencer express its support for House Bill 486, which will require a permit for Conservation Commissions disturbing land around certain types of wetlands. Ruth Ward Local River Management Wetlands, headwater streams, and ponds are the sources of New Advisory Committees Hampshire’s larger streams and lakes, and the quality of the water in Donald L. Ware Public Water Suppliers these smaller waterbodies directly impacts the water quality of the larger rivers and lakes used for drinking water, recreation, and wildlife. VACANT Historic/Archeological Maintaining vegetated areas around those wetlands which contain rare Interests communities or endangered or threatened species will protect those Non-Voting Members: habitats as well as improve water quality downstream. This in turn Heather Dunkerley maintains the diversity of aquatic species which supports our state’s NH Department of Safety recreational fishing industry and the clean water on which our summer tourism industry is based. Mark Hemmerlein NH Department of Transportation The RMAC is a legislatively created body charged to work with the New Patrick Hummel Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to NH Department of Resources and administer RSA 483, the Rivers Management and Protection Program. Economic The Governor and Council appointed Committee is comprised of Development members from business, agriculture, hydroelectric, municipal John Magee government, water supply, conservation, recreation, fish and game, and NH Fish & Game Department historical interests. Among its other responsibilities, the RMAC is charged Gail McWilliam Jellie with reviewing legislation relevant to the Program and with advising the NH Department of Agriculture, NHDES Commissioner on the merits of such legislation. Markets & Food In conclusion, the RMAC supports HB 486, which establishes protective Susan Slack NH Office of buffers around many of New Hampshire’s smaller water bodies. Should Energy & Planning you have further questions, please feel free to contact me at (603) 466- Staff: 8149 or [email protected]. Tracie Sales Rivers & Lakes Programs Manager, NHDES Kathy Black Rivers & Lakes Programs 29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95; Concord, NH 03302-0095; Tel: 271-8811; Fax 271-7894 Assistant, NHDES http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/rivers/rmac/index.htm The Honorable Chris Christensen, Chair Resources, Recreation and Development Committee HB 486 January 25, 2017 Page 2 Sincerely, Kenneth D. Kimball, Ph.D., Chair cc: Rep. Judith Spang Rep. Lee Oxenham Sen. Dan Feltes Rep. Marjorie Smith Sen. Martha Fuller Clark RMAC Members Sen. David Watters Clark Freise, Assistant Commissioner, NHDES Rep. Jane Beaulieu Eugene Forbes, Director, Water Division, NHDES Rep. Paul Berch Ted Diers, Administrator, Watershed Mgmt. Bur., NHDES Rep. Wayne Burton Tracie Sales, Watershed Planner, NHDES Rep. James Grenier Local River Management Advisory Committee Chairs Rep. Mindi Messmer 29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95; Concord, NH 03302-0095; Tel: 271-8811; Fax 271-7894 http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/rivers/rmac/index.htm .