Feb. 9, 2001
Conservation Legislation Volunteer Corps Newsletter
2001 #9
Dear CLVC Members,
URGENT - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Two of the most important bills will have their hearings this Wednesday,
February 14th. Your presence is requested at both hearings. If you are
unable to attend, please make a phone call or write to your local
representative. The hearings are:
At 10am in room 304 the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee will
have a hearing for HB-284 - The Clean Power Bill. This is the most
progressive Clean Power initiative in the country. It is vital that
each of us puts forth great effort to get this bill passed. If passed,
we will see drastic reductions in emissions from NH's power plants.
At 1:45pm in room 305 the Resources, Recreation, and Development
Committee will have the first hearing for HB-537 - LCHIP (Land and
Community Heritage Investment Program). This first hearing is critical
to show the new members of the committee and the state legislature that
LCHIP is a priority for 2001 and that it should be fully funded.
In addition, yesterday Governor Shaheen unveiled her EXCEL education
funding proposal, which allows for significant funding for LCHIP. And
finally, a third bill (no number assigned to date), the Hager-Below
education funding proposal, also includes full funding for LCHIP.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT HB 537
1) Attend the public hearing on Wednesday February 14 @ 1:30pm in room
305-307 of the Legislative Office Building. Bring a friend, neighbor,
or family member. We need to pack the room with LCHIP supporters! You
can testify if you desire, but it is not necessary. A full room makes a
solid impression.
2) If you can not make the hearing, write a letter BEFORE the hearing to
the Committee. Send your letter of support to Honorable Chairman Charles
Royce, House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee, LOB
305-307, Concord, NH 03301 or email him:
royce1932@yahoo.com.
Other hearings throughout the week.
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
At 10am in room 303, the Environment and Agriculture Committee will
discuss HB-293 - relative to farmers' use of Industrial Hemp. The
passage of this bill would allow farmers more options for keeping viable
farms and, therefore, protect open space.
At 10am in room 305, the Resources, Recreation, and Development
Committee will meet on HB-414 - Instream Flow. This bill seeks to
delay implementation of the new flow rules. We oppose this bill since
we all feel that the flow rules are sorely needed.
At 1pm in room 210-211, the Finance Committee will hear HB-105 -
relative to a nutrient management program (related to sludge).
At 1:30pm in room 305, the Resources, Recreation, and Development
Committee meets on HB-539 - creating certain positions within the
division of forests and lands. Essentially, the passage of this bill
would allow for more forest rangers to enforce environmental laws.
At 2:30 in room 305, the RRD Committee discusses HB-592 - relative to
milfoil prevention and a grant for research. Milfoil is a non-native
aquatic plant known for its ability to rapidly grow and spread. It
forms dense beds that decrease fish spawning grounds, deplete oxygen
level, decrease the growth of other plants, and overall alter a lake's
natural environment. Once milfoil is well established in a lake, there
is no know way to eradicate it. (Lakeside (of NH Lakes Assoc.), Vol. X,
No. 4, Nov. 2000).
Other hearings on Wednesday, February 14th.
At 8:30am in room 104, the Senate Environment Committee will discuss
SB-89 - establishing a study to strengthen and clarify the shoreland
protection act. This is a very beneficial bill.
At 9am (room 104) the Senate Environment Committee will continue their
meeting with SB-93 - establishing a study committee to see the health
and environmental benefits of requiring stationary sources to comply
with the requirements of the air toxic control act.
At 10:15 (room 104), the Senate Environment Committee will discuss
SB-104 - relative to regional approaches to instream flow preservation.
This would delay the imperative instream flow rules that must be
established. Regional instream flow rules could be detrimental for NH
since other, more industrial states (such as Mass.) do not regulate
water levels.
At 11am, the Sen. Environment Committee will hear SB-105 - relative to
instream flow requirements. Yet another delay tactic! Industry is
lobbying heavily for the passage of this bill.
At 1:30 in room 304, the Science, Technology and Energy Committee will
hear HB-613 - establishing a task force relative to fuels. This is a
good bill that seeks to establish uniform sulfur requirements regionally
- tax incentives for renewables.
On Thursday, February 15, 2001
At 3:05 in room 101, the Senate Wildlife and Recreation Committee will
hear SB-101 - relative to moorings.
Thanks in advance for your help with the Clean Power and LCHIP hearings!
Contacts
Julian Zelazny, Audubon Society of NH,
bosko@cyberportal.net, (603)
224-9909
Charlie Niebling, Society for the Protection of NH Forests,
cneibling@spnhf.org, 224-9945 x 327
David Schaarsmith, NH Lakes Assoc.,
dks@nhlakes.org, 226-0299
Brian Hart, LCHIP Coordinator,
bhart@igc.org, 230-9729
Emily Genaway, CLVC Newsletter Writer,
emily.genaway@awl.com, 343-1343
NH State Government: www.state.nh.us
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