Skip to main content

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Get our e-news! Sign up

small nav

  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our History
    • Employment
    • Conservation Center
    • FAQs
    • Partners
    • Business Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Bylaws
    • Policies
  • log in
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Main menu

  • What we do
    • Land Conservation
    • Education & Events
    • Advocacy
    • Forestry & Recreation
    • News & Features
    • Forest Notes & More Publications
  • Current Projects
    • Mahoosuc Highlands, Shelburne
    • Forest Society North at The Rocks Campaign
    • Cole Conservation Easement, Cornish
    • Derevya Farms, Allenstown
    • Build Creek Farm Restrooms, Portsmouth
    • Mount Major Stewardship Fund
    • Recent Accomplishments
  • Visit & Explore
    • The Rocks
    • Conservation Center
    • Mount Major
    • Creek Farm
    • Forest Reservation Guide
    • Visitor Use Guidelines
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Membership/Renewal
    • Support Our Work
    • Take Action
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe to E-news
  • Search

Search form

Donate
Menu
  1. What we do
  2. Advocacy
  3. Drinking Water and Ground Water Trust Fund

News

  • UNH Report Assesses New England’s Progress in Addressing Climate Change

    Matt Leahy
    January 30, 2023

    Unfortunately, the report is highly critical of New Hampshire.

  • Calling All Volunteers!

    Matt Leahy
    January 29, 2023

    Volunteer for the NH Coverts Project through UNH Extension.

  • New Study Shows Climate Change’s Impact on New England Winters

    Matt Leahy
    December 22, 2022

    Most notably, two of the top five cities that experienced the largest increase in winter temperatures were in New England.

Drinking Water and Ground Water Trust Fund

A view of a lake in summer sunshine with a sailboat on the water.

 

 

Issue Brief: 

In 2003, the State of New Hampshire sued twenty-two gasoline manufacturers and refiners seeking damages in connection with the statewide contamination of groundwater from the gasoline additive MtBE. In 2013, the State settled the lawsuit with twenty-one of the defendants and received $81.6 million for remediation of MtBE contamination statewide.  However, the ExxonMobil Corporation refused to settle and instead chose to go to trial. The trial resulted in a $236,372,644 jury verdict against the company. ExxonMobil appealed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. In October 2015 the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled against the company. ExxonMobil subsequently filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking a review of the case. On May 16, 2016, the United States Supreme Court denied ExxonMobil’s appeal. The verdict monies became available in June 2016 with the State receiving $307,172,716.28 after legal costs and interest were included.   90% of that amount goes into a dedicated drinking water and groundwater trust fund and 10% goes into the State’s Rainy Day Fund.

During the 2016 New Hampshire Legislative session, the New Hampshire Legislature passed, and Governor Hassan signed into law a bill sponsored by NH Senate President Chuck Morse (SB 380) which established the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund (Trust Fund) .  The Trust Fund is financed by the proceeds from the State’s lawsuit against the Exxon Mobil Corporation. 

SB 380 as originally passed also established the Drinking Water and Groundwater Advisory Commission made up of four legislators, three members of State Government (Treasury, DHHS and the Governor’s designee) and four members of the public including a member to represent municipalities with public water systems.  Its role was to consult with and advise the Department of Environmental Services regarding the proper administration and management of the Drinking Water and Ground Water Trust Fund.

The state budget for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 made some significant changes in how the Trust Fund will be managed.  First and most noteworthy, and in a reversal of roles from original legislation, the Advisory Commission  will now administer the Trust Fund with DES providing the administrative support to the Commission.  Second, a representative of a state or regional land trust, appointed by the Governor, has been added to the Commission.  This inclusion of the conservation community on what will be a high profile undertaking is important.  The Forest Society sees the Trust Fund has an enormous opportunity to protect the State’s critically important drinking water resources through the conservation of our forested landscapes.  The studies which demonstrate how protecting the land results in cleaner drinking water and lower municipal costs are compelling. Having a seat at the Advisory Commission’s table gives conservation groups a strong voice to make that case.

 

Forest Society Position: 

The Forest Society is working with our conservation partners, including state and municipal officials, to optimize the opportunity the Drinking Water Trust Fund presents New Hampshire to strengthen the deep connection between our State’s forests and its water resources. 

In 2018, the Trust Fund Advisory Commission awarded a total of $2.3 million to fifteen source water protection projects. The Forest Society received two of those grants which are supporting our Parker Farms project in Auburn and the Stillhouse Forest project in Canterbury and Northfield.

In 2019, the Trust Fund Advisory Commission has made another $2 million available for the protection of drinking water resources. 

For more information on the Trust Fund, click on this link.

 

KEY LINKS:

SB 380

Once in a Generation Opportunity

 

Download the Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial

Available on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Footer menu

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
Land Trust Alliance accreditation logo