Back to Archives	ASNH Environmental Policy Issues
	CLVC Newsletter - 2000-1

Julian Zelazny
ASNH Environmental Policy Director

Dec. 8, 2000 Conservation Legislation Volunteer Corps: Newsletter 2001-1 Dear Fellow CLVC Volunteers, Hello and thank you for dedicating your time to CLVC. My name is Emily Genaway and I will write your CLVC newsletter this year. Like you, I am very concerned about the environment and want to take part in the conservation of our precious natural world. I recently moved to NH and work as a sales representative for a college publisher. I am eager to learn about environmental legislation and communicating with you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, and/or comments about the newsletter. I look forward to writing for you and working with you in our shared passion for the environment. I can be reached at emily.genaway@awl.com and at (603) 343-1343. Julian Zelazny, Environmental Policy Director of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire met with Charlie Niebling of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and David Schaarsmith of the New Hampshire Lakes Association on Friday, Dec. 8th to discuss many LSRs to be proposed in January. Below, you will find highlights of those brought to the discussion table. Land Use 2001-H-0272: Exempting certain lands from recreational campground requirements. Sponsored by John Hunt -This may have to do with septic requirements 2001-H-0481: Establishing a committee to study the feasibility and value of encouraging the construction and operation on state park lands of publicly or privately owned hotels, conference centers and other resort facilities. Sponsored by John Lagone -This could encourage the privatization of state parks. Protecting state lands is a priority for us. 2001-H-0396: Establish a committee for land value assessment. Sponsored by George Katsakiores. -Supported by those against "current use" which grants a tax cut to landowners who do not develop their land. We need to support current use as this 27-year-old law has protected NH land from development. Water 2001-H-0035: Relative to mercury reductions. Sponsored by Jeb Bradley. 2001-H-0085: Establishing a presorting program to remove mercury from waste prior to incineration at certain facilities. Sponsored by James Phinizy and John Tuthill. 2001-H-0086: Establishing an advance disposal fee to fund local mercury recycling programs. Sponsored by James Phinizy and John Tuthill -Julian has been working with other environmental groups such as Clean Water Action, PIRG, and other community groups to propose bills to reduce mercury levels in water. Since mercury reduction was expressed in a number of LSRs, we should feel confident in raising this issue to the legislature. 2001-S-0430: Relative to Personal Watercraft. Sponsored by Carl Johnson. -NH is one of the only states that does not include 3 and 4-person watercraft in its description of personal watercraft (AKA: Jetskis). The difference between a 1 & 2-person PWC and a 3 & 4-person PWC is ONLY about 9 inches. We need to support legislation that regulates the use of 3 & 4 person PWCs as it does for 1 & 2-person PWCs. This will reduce plant destruction, pollution and wildlife harassment. Air 2001-H-0034: Relative to electric generation emissions reduction. Sponsored by Jeb Bradley. -This is a four-pollutant bill; NOx, SOx, mercury and carbon dioxide. This is a feasible proposal! 2001-H-0115: Requiring the state to develop a 10-year plan for alternative transportation. Sponsored by Susan Almy. 2001-H-0265: Limiting railroad liability for passenger rail service. Sponsored by Peter Bergin. -In effort to reduce emissions, we should support legislation that encourages railroad transportation. 2001-H-0156: Relative to removing highway tolls and recouping lost revenue through an increased gas tax. Sponsored by Thomas Arnold . -Well worth fighting for, this would eliminate traffic congestion at the tolls. In turn, vastly reducing emission reduction from cars standing still. Waste Management 2001-H-0127: Prohibiting the land application of sludge in reclamation sites. Sponsored by Betty Hall and Irene Messier. 2001-H-0141: Establishing a market-based trading program of emissions. Sponsored by Betty Hall -This could be a very good thing if #141 means that someone's waste becomes someone else's raw product. Otherwise, toxic based trading is immoral. You will certainly be informed as more information becomes available. 2001-H-0205: Establishing a regional program for prescreening, collection, and marketing certain components of the municipal solid waste stream. Sponsored by John Tuthill. Thank you for staying with me throughout the letter. This initial meeting proved that there are many issues to discuss and bring forth to the legislature. As I become more informed, I promise to offer you more commentary on the critical issues where all of our support is essential. Take Care, Emily Genaway emily.genaway@awl.com (603) 343-1343 To view LSRs and other legislative news, visit www.state.nh.us