Partners Launch Comprehensive Plan
for Conserving New Hampshire's Coastal Watershed
Newington, N.H. — October 7, 2005 — Spanning 980 square miles and 43 towns, New Hampshire’s coastal watersheds harbor exceptional natural, cultural, and scenic resources. The state of New Hampshire, acting through the N.H. Coastal Program and the N.H. Estuaries Project, has initiated a 14-month effort to develop a comprehensive, science-based land conservation plan for our coastal watersheds.
To undertake the work, the state has engaged a partnership of The Nature Conservancy, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Rockingham Planning Commission and the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. The partners will rely primarily on existing geospatial data to conduct cutting-edge computerized mapping and analysis of the large coastal watersheds.
The partners will hold an informational meeting on the plan on October 17, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Newington Town Hall. At the meeting, the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the conservation plan, ask questions and share information and advice.
A second meeting will be held in the spring of 2006 and will focus on proposed conservation priority areas, plan recommendations, and implementation strategies.
The conservation plan will help to prioritize coastal watershed areas and develop strategies for maintaining diverse wildlife habitat, abundant wetlands, clean water, productive forests and farms, and outstanding recreational opportunities into the future.
“This is a fantastic and timely opportunity,” said Mark Zankel, deputy N.H. state director for TNC. “New Hampshire's coastal watersheds harbor irreplaceable and increasingly at-risk biodiversity, wildlife habitat and water resources. We're very excited to be working on a regional plan that will help towns, public agencies, and local land trusts identify and conserve these vital natural features before it is too late.”
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