Marine Biology Commons^™

Nhep Management Plan 2005 Update, Jennifer Hunter

PREP Reports & Publications

NHEP staff met with each of the project teams during the spring, summer, and fall of 2004 and asked each to suggest changes to existing action plans or identify emerging issues or subject areas that were not covered by the Management Plan. Following these meetings, the NHEP Coastal Scientist compiled the information, combined duplicate suggestions, and eliminated ideas that were already addressed by existing action plans. The project teams identified two new issues for inclusion in the Management Plan: sustainable water use and invasive species. A list of changes and two draft action plans were distributed to all teams and …

Pickering Brook Salt Marsh Restoration - Phase Ii, Patti Reilly

PREP Reports & Publications

In the early 1900’s, the majority of coastal salt marshes in New England were ditched as part of an aggressive mosquito control program. In an attempt to eradicate mosquito-breeding habitat, open water areas were drained by a series of ditches excavated in the thick peat soils. Elimination of open water and the unnatural drainage patterns led to degradation of healthy, functional saltmarsh systems and the disappearance of critical habitat for American black ducks, wading birds, shorebirds, shellfish, and fish species, including those that eat mosquito larvae. The practice of mosquito ditching has since been found to have unintended consequences in …

2004 Coastal Conservation Outreach, Danna B. Truslow

PREP Reports & Publications

The Seacoast Land Trust mission is to actively promote and effect the protection and stewardship of open lands in the Seacoast. Since our founding in 1998, programs and outings have been an essential part of the organizations activities. Through our programs we strive to raise the awareness about the importance of land conservation and land stewardship. The grant funding allowed us to offer a wide range of programs and activities and to focus on the importance of protection to our coastal habitats and wetland resources. The programs involved participants with a wide range of ages and interests and included concerned …

Eelgrass Distribution In The Great Bay Estuary 2003, Frederick T. Short

PREP Reports & Publications

In 2004, the NHEP funded annual monitoring for eelgrass in GBE. We collected aerial photography of eelgrass coverage for 2004 and mapped eelgrass distribution for 2003 from the information gathered the previous year. The present report presents the eelgrass distribution information for 2003.

2004 Student Estuarine Research Project, Terri W. Grizzle

PREP Reports & Publications

This report describes the results of the second education and bird-monitoring program conducted by sixth grade students, teachers, and volunteers at Portsmouth Middle School. The program combined classroom lessons with field trips to monitor bird populations in South Mill Pond, a tidal pond-like estuary in front of the school. The Pond has suffered over the years from a variety of environmental problems as the City of Portsmouth developed, including major watershed changes, combined sewer overflows, runoff from city streets and parking lots, and fill projects. Several years ago, the City initiated a long-term project to re-direct sewage away from the …

2004 Great Bay Organic Nitrogen (Pon & Don) And Light Extinction (Par) Monitoring Program, Jonathan Pennock

PREP Reports & Publications

Nitrogen is most often considered to be the limiting nutrient for plant growth in marine waters. As a result, knowledge of nitrogen loading and ambient water-column concentrations are considered to be critical to understanding the response of aquatic ecosystems to nutrient over-enrichment—a process known as eutrophication when it results in the excess production of organic matter. Plant production in many estuarine systems may also be limited by light availability as a result of high levels of turbidity in the water resulting from sediments, dissolved organic matter, and phytoplankton in the water column. Light limitation resulting from human-induced increases in turbidity …

2004 Great Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program (Datasonde), Jonathan Pennock

PREP Reports & Publications

In situ water quality assessment has become an important source of data for monitoring, research and management activities in estuaries nationwide. As part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the Great Bay System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) produces in situ water quality data for four sites in and around Great Bay. This project extends the SWMP program to include year-round in situ data for a station at the University of New Hampshire Coastal Marine Lab pier at the mouth of the Piscataqua River and summmer data for a station in the Salmon Falls (SF) River. This suite of stations provides …

2004 Lamprey River Dissolved Oxygen Study, Jonathan Pennock

PREP Reports & Publications

As part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the Great Bay System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) produces in situ water quality data for four sites in and around Great Bay. In recent years, DataSondes deployed in the upper Lamprey River have documented dissolved oxygen concentrations that do not meet federal standards during a significant portion of the summer and fall period. These low oxygen concentrations, if they persist may have a negative effect on benthic and pelagic organisms in the river and will necessitate management action to improve water quality.

Testing Of Great Bay Oysters For Two Protozoan Pathogens, New Hampshire Fish And Game Department

PREP Reports & Publications

Two protozoan pathogens, Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) and Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) are known to be present in Great Bay oysters. With funds provided by the New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP), the Marine Fisheries Division of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, (NHF&G) has continued assessing the presence and intensity of both disease conditions in oysters from the major beds, some open for harvest, within the Great Bay estuarine system.

Comprehensive Conservation Outreach Plan, Town Of Newmarket, Nh

PREP Reports & Publications

With funding from the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) and the New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) the Town of Newmarket has undertaken the constructing of three signs and two educational/information kiosks for two recently acquired open space parcels and associated information for distribution on all conservation and passive recreation lands in the Town of Newmarket. The third kiosk involved repairing an existing structure rather than building a new one. The costs for the project include the creation and printing of maps and brochures for distribution, creation and installation of the kiosks (which will also house several signs from our funding …

Implementation Of The Dearborn Brook Watershed Management And Protection Plan, Rockingham Planning Commission

PREP Reports & Publications

Dearborn Brook is a small but important stream located in Stratham and Exeter, New Hampshire. The Brook flows into the Town of Exeter Reservoir and is used to supply drinking water to the Town of Exeter and portions of Stratham. The Dearborn Brook Watershed Committee was established in 2001 to develop a management and protection plan for the Brook. Committee members represent the Conservation Commissions, Open Space Committees, Planning Departments, Water and Sewer Commissions, and Department of Public Works in the Towns of Exeter and Stratham. The purpose of this project was to begin implementing the top three recommendations made …

2004 Alewife Festival, Exeter River Local Advisory Committee

PREP Reports & Publications

On June 5, 2004, the Exeter River Local Advisory Committee (ERLAC) held the 4th Annual Exeter River Alewife Festival along the banks of the Squamscott River in downtown Exeter. Over three dozen organizations exhibited at the Festival and event organizers estimate approximately 750 people, including many children, attended the event. The purpose of the Festival was to increase awareness of the Exeter River watershed and the role it plays in the Great Bay ecosystem, as well as its role in providing drinking water, wildlife habitat, and scenic, historic and recreational resources for residents in the ten watershed towns. Funding provided …

Limiting Impervious Surface Cover And Protecting Water Resources Through Better Site Design And Planning, Rockingham Planning Commission

PREP Reports & Publications

The Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) provided two forms of technical assistance to coastal communities to raise awareness and understanding of how to limit impervious surface cover, mitigate impacts of development, and protect water resources. The first phase of this project involved the organization of a workshop entitled “Improving Site Planning and Site Design for Sustainable Development”, held October 4, 2004 in Durham, New Hampshire. The workshop was offered to local decision makers and municipal employees in the forty two coastal communities and featured speakers from state agencies, local government, and the private sector.For the second phase of this project, the …

2005 Shellfish Spotlight, Steve Adams, Raymond E. Grizzle, Peter Koufopoulos, Tim Mcclare, Chris Nash, Bruce Smith, John Wimsatt

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Oxford Avenue Sewer Extension Project In The City Of Portsmouth, Natalie Landry, Peter Rice

PREP Reports & Publications

Financial support provided by the New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) to the City of Portsmouth helped with the cost of installing a new sewer line at Oxford Avenue that replaced the on-site subsurface disposal systems (septic systems) for fourteen homes. The homes border the Great Bog and Pickering Creek watersheds. The construction occurred during the autumn of 2004.

2004 Support For Shellfish Program And Estuarine Education, Meeker, S & Reid, A, B. Sharon Meeker, Ann S. Reid

PREP Reports & Publications

Working within the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant Program, the Great Bay Coast Watch (GBCW) is New Hampshire’s most wide ranging program for direct citizen involvement in monitoring estuarine and coastal systems. GBCW has a fifteen year history of educating citizens about the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire Seacoast, and Gulf of Maine watershed through active participation in monitoring and an accompanying education program. Based in Durham, NH, GBCW coordinates over 100 volunteers drawn from 19 New Hampshire and Southern Maine communities. In 1990, volunteers began monitoring eight sites on a monthly basis April through October. Today, …

Natural Resources Outreach Coalition: Coordination And Program Delivery, Stone, A, Frank Mitchell, Amanda Stone

PREP Reports & Publications

The Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) is a multi-organizational initiative providing technical and educational assistance to communities in New Hampshire’s coastal watersheds dealing with the effects of growth. The NROC program offered to communities includes an initial educational public presentation, Dealing with Growth, followed by a series of follow-up meetings to help the community focus their goals, develop an action-oriented work plan, and provide the technical and educational assistance needed to help the community meet its goals.

Wetlands Assessment, Inventory, And Prime Wetlands Designation Project In The Taylor River Watershed, Town Of Hampton, Hampton Conservation Commission, Rockingham County Conservation District

PREP Reports & Publications

The purpose of this project was to provide significant educational efforts on wetlands functions and values, prime wetlands designation, on-the-ground inventory findings, wildlife habitat, and New Hampshire's Prime Wetlands laws and rules for the two communities located within the project focus area. The focus area for this project was the Taylor River Watershed, which comprises the Taylor River as it flows through both

Hampton and Hampton Falls, a bit of Ash Brook and Old River as it flows through Hampton, and Grapevine Run as it flows through Hampton Falls. This project assessed over 152 wetland areas containing approximately 620 acres. …

Dover Natural Resource Mapping And Community Outreach Initiative, Bird, Dover Planning Department

PREP Reports & Publications

The grant funding has allowed us to further address the continuing need for community awareness for open space and natural resource protection in the City of Dover. This funding has enabled the City of Dover Planning Department in partnership with the City of Dover Open Lands Committee to present several events throughout October and November 2004. The events offered participants information about natural resource and open space protection as well as an opportunity to enjoy nature. They increased public awareness about the Open Lands Committee and its function. Activities and workshops from October to November 2004 included Apple Harvest Day …

On-Line Resource Clearinghouse For Rapidly Growing Communities, Amy Seif

PREP Reports & Publications

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sprawl is among the biggest environmental challenges facing New England, where more than 1,200 acres of open space are lost to development each week. New Hampshire is the fastest growing state in New England, and much of this growth is located within the 42 community coastal watershed served by the New Hampshire Estuaries Project. The Resource Clearinghouse for Rapidly Growing Communities project was created out of an interest in getting community decision makers the information and access to resources that they need to make informed decisions in this challenging time. The clearinghouse is designed …

2004 Water Quality Education Onboard The Gundalow, Bolster, M, Molly Bolster

PREP Reports & Publications

The Gundalow Company (a non-profit 501(c)3 organization) sponsors maritime history and environmental educational programs for school groups and the public onboard the replica gundalow Captain Edward Adams from May through November in 12-15 riverfront locations in the Piscataqua region. The project funded by the NHEP in 2004 included the development of an expanded Gundalow Company education program curriculum in order to motivate all gundalow visitors to appreciate the relationship between regional maritime history, contemporary water quality issues and future stewardship responsibilities. The NHEP grant also supported the Gundalow Company’s efforts to bring the gundalow to Durham and Newmarket. The content …

Conservation Easement Outreach Project, Wenninger, Ray Wenninger

PREP Reports & Publications

Stratham voters approved a 5 million dollar conservation bond issue in 2002 to preserve open space through easement or outright purchase. The Ad-hoc Conservation Bond Subcommittee to the Conservation Commission is helping achieve Stratham’s open space goals and is continuing to reach out to landowners that have undeveloped land that may be suitable for Stratham’s open space initiative. It was an opportune time for the subcommittee to provide updated outreach materials when a grant by the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) Implementation Grant Program became available. The grant, managed by the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, provided funding to produce and …

2003 Coastal Municipal Stormwater Infrastructure Mapping Project, Jeffrey Marcoux

PREP Reports & Publications

This final report describes the grant program funded by NHEP and administered by DES. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NHEP and DES created a grant program to provide assistance to coastal communities to develop storm sewer infrastructure maps. DES issued a request for proposals (RFP), chose grant recipients, and managed the grant agreements. This report provides details on the grant projects completed by Farmington, Dover, Durham, Seabrook, Somersworth, and North Hampton. The deadline for completion of all grant projects was December 31, 2004.

Ecological Inventory Of The Cocheco River Watershed And The Follet’S Brook Watershed, Zankel, M, Mark Zankel

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Nhep Strategic Communication Plan, Kellam, D, Dave Kellam

PREP Reports & Publications

The New Hampshire Estuaries Project’s (NHEP) Strategic Communication Plan (SCP) facilitates the implementation of Action Plans related to public outreach and education (POE) and focuses resources on communication activities that strengthen the organization’s position in the resource management community. The plan begins with a situational audit that examines the history of the NHEP, its role in the natural resources management community and the target audiences identified in the NHEP Management Plan. Next, the SCP’s goals and objectives for the next three years are described. Finally, the SCP appendices include branding elements, program descriptions, Management Plan relevance to the SCP, and …

2003 Coastal Illicit Connection Identification And Elimination Grant Project, Jeffrey Marcoux

PREP Reports & Publications

This final report describes a grant program funded by NHEP and administered by DES. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NHEP and DES created a grant program to provide assistance to coastal communities to identify and eliminate illicit discharges into the storm drain system. A total of $80,000 was made available for assisting municipalities with illicit discharge correction and storm sewer mapping projects. DES issued a request for proposals (RFP), chose grant recipients, and managed the grant agreements. This report provides details on the illicit discharge detection and elimination projects completed by Dover, Somersworth, and Hampton. The deadline for completion …

Laboratory Analyses Of Water And Shellfish From Coastal Waters And Watershed Of New Hampshire, Finnigan, Jayne S. Finnigan

PREP Reports & Publications

The Department of Health and Human Services-New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories (DHHS-NHPHL) has participated in providing laboratory analyses as part of the National Estuary Program since it’s inception in New Hampshire in 1995. The NHPHL has continued to carry out various actions dealing with the monitoring program as listed in the NH Estuaries Project Management Plan.

Land Conservation Transaction Fund, Taylor, J, Dorothy Tripp Taylor

PREP Reports & Publications

Between May of 2002 and December of 2003, the New Hampshire Estuaries Project provided the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forest/Center for Land Conservation Assistance with $64,400 for matching grants to distribute to assist with transaction costs associated with permanent land conservation projects in the New Hampshire estuaries area. Application materials were created and distributed, applications were received and reviewed and grants were made. The project was well received and very successful. Twenty-three grants were made to support transaction costs associated with projects that provided permanent protection for 1158 acres in 9 estuaries area communities. Grant funds of …

Freshwater Wetlands Inventory Outreach Activities For The Freshwater Wetland Mitigation Inventory Of Nineteen Coastal Communities Report, New Hampshire Estuaries Project

PREP Reports & Publications

As requested by the New Hampshire Office of Energy & Planning, this is a final report of all outreach activities for the Freshwater Wetlands Inventory conducted through 2003- 2004 for the nineteen coastal communities of New Hampshire. This report includes all of the outreach activities that were conducted, the details and attendance of each presentation, and an example of the PowerPoint presentation shown at each meeting.

Availability Of Ground Water Resources In The Piscataqua And Coastal Watersheds, Chormann, R, Frederick Chormann Jr.

PREP Reports & Publications

The following report summarizes progress on the the various components of the Availability of Groundwater Resources in the Piscataqua and Coastal Watershed poject and the status of deliverables as of June 30, 2004. Most tasks have been completed under this “data collection” phase of the overall, multi-year project, although some activities will continue simultaneously with the “data analysis” phase.