The 2015 Legislature is considering the creation of a special commission to study the benefits and opportunities for future land conservation in New Hampshire. In March the Senate passed SB 38, and now the bill is before the House. The House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee is currently reviewing the proposal.
The Commission legislation is a recommendation of a 2014 joint legislative study committee report on the status of land conservation in New Hampshire. The SB 388 Report found that almost 70 percent of critical lands in New Hampshire remain unprotected. The report identified two key action items. One is to fully fund and constitutionally protect the dedicated fund for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). Second is to develop a multi-year land conservation plan with specific natural resource protection goals.
To assist the SB 388 study committee in its work, the Forest Society partnered with the New Hampshire chapter of The Nature Conservancy and Greenfire GIS to prepare a detailed assessment of the lands that have been permanently conserved in New Hampshire and the remaining opportunities for land conservation in New Hampshire in the critical areas of water source protection, large blocks of working forest land, wildlife habitat, agricultural lands and recreation lands. This research report, entitled Land Conservation in New Hampshire: A Snapshot of Progress and Opportunities also underscored the importance of setting State priorities for future land conservation initiatives.
SPNHF testified jointly with our partners at the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Trust for Public Land, and the Nature Conservancy in support of SB 38 before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee. A copy of our testimony appears here.
On June 26, Governor Hassan signed the bill into law thereby establishing the New Hampshire Land Conservation Commission. The 11 member commission will comprise representatives from the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives, three members of the land trust community, the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions, the Business and Industry Association of NH, the fish and game community, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, the New Hampshire Farm Bureau and the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association.
The Commission is directed to report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before September 15, 2016. SPNHF expects to play a central role on the Commission and in the development of these recommendations. We also expect the Commission will offer opportunities for the public to offer testimony and other information to help inform the final report. Once its schedule has been set, we will update this page.