State Agency Lake Forum Overview of State Agency Roles and Mandates - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

• Educate the public about fish and wildlife

resources; Provide the public with

• pportunities 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

Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

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

• 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 and Critical Topics

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.

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.

New Hampshire Department of Safety

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

• f the State’s public

waters.

DOS

• 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

Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

DOS

• Respond to complaints from the public
• Provide boating education certification

courses via classroom, internet and home study

• Enforce wetlands permit posting

requirements

DOS

Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

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

• Part Time

– 75 uniformed law enforcement personnel (target number 100) – 2 clerical personnel – 7 dispatchers

Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work

DOS

Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes

• Speed limit (legislative

proposal)

• Moorings

– Lakes not covered by law – Unpermitted moorings – Mooring placement

DOS

• Swim rafts

– Inconsistent with State policies – Used as boundary lines – Create artificial fence

Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes

DOS

• Competing interests

– Property owners – Swimmers – Paddlesports – Water Skiers – Sailboats – PWC’s – Rafting – Fishermen – Water events – Commercial operators – Summer camps

Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes

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

• Implementation of environmentally

friendly four cycle engine replacement for Marine Patrol fleet

Current and Critical Topics Regarding Lakes

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.

• 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
• ur 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

Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

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

• 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 and Critical Topics

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

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

• Dept. of Resources and

Economic Development

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

• f the state, to continually provide such

additional park areas and facilities, to make these accessible to the public for recreational, educational, scientific and

• ther 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

• 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

Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes

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

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.

Dept of Agriculture Markets and Foods

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

DAMF

OEP does not currently coordinate any programs or projects related to lakes or ponds.

Office of Energy and Planning

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

Program

• Volunteer Lake

Assessment Program

• Exotics Species
• Clean Lakes Program
• Beach Inspection

Program

• Site Specific
• Drinking Water Supply
• Lake Management and

Protection Program

• Clean Vessel Act
• Boat Inspections
• Hg Fish Tissue Analysis
• Limnology Center
• Wetlands
• Shoreland Protection
• 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

A Partnership In Protecting Lakes

Department of Resources and Economic Development