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	Legislative Wrap-up - 1998

by Julian Zelazny
ASNH Environmental Policy Director

Now that the New Hampshire legislative session is finished (except for the Claremont issue), we can look back at the bills that were important to us. This is a good time to take stock in our successes, and there were many. There were several House bills introduced that attacked the "current use" law. They were addressed early in the session, and none made it out of committee. Our Conservation Legislation Volunteer Corps (CLVC) volunteers made their presence known at the public hearings for these bills and helped to ensure that the bills were killed. ASNH opposed bills aimed at weakening or destroying New Hampshire's current use law. HB 1513 established a compromise among EPA, DES, and PSNH that excuses New Hampshire from EPA requirements that would mandate an auto emissions program in New Hampshire. In exchange, EPA got powerplant nitrogen oxide emission reductions sooner than what is required under current law. PSNH is allowed to recover costs of emission controls through a fuel and purchased power adjustment clause. ASNH supported this bill. HB 1229 exempts biological control agents, such as nematodes and aphids, from the pesticide registration requirement. ASNH supported this bill. HB 1100 sought to build a medium security prison in Berlin and to keep the Laconia prison open. In return, the City of Laconia was to receive title to adjacent public lands, including Governor's (now Ahearn) State Park. In the final version of the bill, the plan to give Laconia the state park was removed. ASNH opposed the portion of the bill that allowed the transfer of state park land to the City of Laconia. HB 1225 prohibits the use of septage and wastewater treatment sludge as fertilizer within 250 feet of designated rivers, with some exceptions. ASNH supported the bill. HB 747 establishes a fund for the N.H. Fish & Game to acquire and manage wildlife habitat and access to habitat. The program will be funded by a $2.50 wildlife habitat stamp that will be mandatory with the purchase of a hunting license. ASNH supported this bill. HB 627 established the long-awaited conservation license plate. The plate will cost vehicle owners who choose to buy it an extra $25 on their registration. After a maximum of $50,000 will be allocated to the DoT wildflower planting program, the remaining money will be divided among the N.H. Natural Heritage Inventory Program, N.H. Fish & Game nongame program, Department of Cultural Affairs, and the State Conservation Committee. The law goes into effect on January 1, 1999. The original version of this bill was introduced four years ago. It has been a long road, but it is now law. ASNH supported the bill, and all those from ASNH that worked on this bill should be proud. SB 493 established a 20-member commission, made up of legislators and private citizens from a variety of backgrounds, that is charged with the duty of studying the feasibility of establishing a new public-private partnership that addresses the conservation of priority natural, cultural, and historical resources. It is the hope of ASNH and others in the conservation community that the commission will recommend a program similar to the Land Conservation Investment Program (LCIP) while including cultural and historical resource conservation as well as land. Finally, HB 1196 banned the use of lead fishing sinkers weighing one ounce or less and lead jigs one inch or shorter in lakes and ponds in New Hampshire. The ban takes effect January 1, 2000. It also establishes an angler-education program on the hazards of lead fishing sinkers and jigs to loons and other water birds. This is another first-in-the-nation law, showing how New Hampshire can set the pace for environmental legislation in New England and nationwide. Loon Preservation Committee Executive Director Harry Vogel and I worked with Senator Carl Johnson, Representative Jeb Bradley, and several organizations and agencies on winning passage of this bill. In the course of bringing the bill through the legislative process, the prospects were, at times, pretty gloomy. However, our persistence paid off, and the bill was signed by the governor at a formal signing ceremony on July 17, 1998. We were successful in winning passage of this bill due, in large part, to the efforts and dedication of the CLVC volunteers and the hundreds of ASNH members who called and wrote to their legislators in support of the bill. Thanks to all of you. Because of your efforts, this campaign was a success. Overall, the legislative session was a great success for wildlife-related legislation, but we can't rest for long. The new session is right around the corner, and with it will come new challenges. If you have an idea for wildlife-related legislation that you think would be appropriate for ASNH to champion, please let me know by calling (603) 224-9909, faxing to (603) 227-0501, sending E-mail to bosko@cyberportal.net, or you can write to me at 3 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301-8200. Julian Zelazny Environmental Policy Director Audubon Society of New Hampshire