The NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions, with the NH Department of Environmental Services, the NH Local Government Center, and the NH Office of Energy and Planning, has initiated a process to improve various water resource protections in the state. An initial “Expert and Stakeholder meeting” was convened in October to begin an effort to develop updated model local zoning ordinances and regulations to address five water resource topics:
• Wetlands, including vernal pools and other wetland thatfall outside of federal and state regulations;
• Water supplies, both groundwater and surface sources;
• Shoreline and riparian areas, including headwater streams;
• Floodplains
• Erosion and sediment control during land disturbance activities.
LSPA’s Associate Director Robert Wood was invited to participate with a broad array of experts and stakeholders to gather practical input to inform this work. Participants will continue to be involved with this effort in an advisory capacity over the next nine months. The development of this set of model ordinances, focusing on these five water resource topics, is the second part of a larger cooperative project among the above organizations. They also are developing a guidebook for local municipalities on implementing a wide variety of innovative zoning and regulatory techniques aimed at improving land use management and minimizing impacts of development.
Date published on web site:
12-01-2006
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