Contact: Elleen Kane IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/10/97
The state of New Hampshire has made significant improvements to its coastal program over the past three years, strengthening partnerships that protect the coastline while helping state residents, an evaluation team from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.
After conducting a public meeting and a series of individual group meetings across the state last September, the team documented a number of accomplishments, including examples of a coordinated, science-based approach to improving the coast. The state also excelled in effective education, outreach, and strategic funding, which encouraged coastal communities and the general public to get involved and help the coast.
"Over the past 25 years we've learned, nationwide, that partnerships are an important ingredient in balancing resource protection with resource use," said Marjorie Ernst, NOAA's evaluation team leader. "The New Hampshire Coastal Program is a great example of how effective partnerships can be in helping to maintain that balance."
The program's accomplishments ranged from establishing a link between scientists, state resource managers and non-profit organizations to supporting more than 250 projects that aided communities in their access to and protection of the coast.
According to the evaluation team, the state is also making a significant effort to minimize water pollution reaching the coast from stormwater runoff and septic systems. The team cited two specific demonstration projects, one in the Oyster River watershed and the other focused on the Exeter/Squamscott River. One important component in both projects is educating local residents and county government officials about the common sources of runoff pollution and then working with them to devise the best possible management methods.
These education and outreach programs not only heightened local awareness of runoff pollution but also motivated approximately 800 volunteers to participate annually in collecting and cataloging debris found on Atlantic coast beaches and along the state's tributaries.
NOAA sends an evaluation team into the state every three years to see how well the state is doing in maintaining the health of the coast and in meeting residents' needs to use and preserve the coast. During the visit, the evaluation team meets with representatives from federal, state and local government agencies and environmental organizations, as well as with business and community leaders to learn firsthand about the state's progress in maintaining a healthy coastline.
New Hampshire is one 30 states and U.S. territories voluntarily participating in the NOAA coastal management program. Under the program, the federal government identifies nationwide coastal problems and goals to resolve those problems. States determine how best to resolve those problems and meet those goals using their own laws and policies.
For a copy of the final findings for the New Hampshire Coastal Management Program evaluation, contact NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Management, 1305 East-West Hwy., N/ORM4, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.