Local Grants Program
The annual Local Grants Program is open to organizations conducting projects in New Hampshire's coastal watershed that help achieve the PREP's Management Plan goals. Projects must relate to at least one Action Item from the PREP's Management Plan. Eligible activity areas include water quality, land use and habitat protection, shellfish resources, habitat restoration, and public outreach.
Typically a 1:1 non-federal match ratio is required to be eligible for PREP grant funds, however, some variation may occur. Consult the current "Request For Proposals" to determine the acceptable match ratio. Match can be cash or in-kind services, such as volunteer time. Organizations are allowed to submit one proposal. Eligible applicants include municipalities, community groups, schools, land trusts, watershed associations, environmental groups, regional planning commissions, and other organizations that conduct conservation work in the coastal watershed. Projects are selected through a competitive application process.
A Request For Proposals is issued each fall. It can be obtained via the PREP website (under Request for Proposals), or by contacting the PREP Project Coordinator at 862-3403 or by email.
The PREP's 2008 Local Grants Program Recipients
* The Town of Northwood will hire a consultant to research and recommend appropriate storm water management treatment technologies in the town and create a municipal shoreland buffer ordinance to protect surface waters within the town
* Bear-Paw Regional Greenways will initiate the Isinglass River Conservation Corridor Project to protect up to 800 acres of land, including 288 acres of high conservation-value forestland along the river in the Town of Strafford.
*Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission will develop shoreland protection and riparian buffer regulations for the Town of Raymond’s headwater and lower order streams. The project will include a public outreach program and development of buffer regulations for the Town of Raymond to protect all buffer areas adjacent to surface waters
The PREP's 2007 Local Grants Program Recipients
* The Town of Brentwood will complete a Prime Wetlands Designation project that will inventory, evaluate, and prioritize the town’s wetlands.
* The Town of Nottingham will purchase water quality monitoring equipment and use it to monitor at least four stations for the New Hampshire Volunteer River Assessment Program.
* The Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire will collaborate with the Lamprey River Advisory Committee and the Town of Brentwood to contact landowners, initiate and complete acquisition of conservation easements, and apply for conservation grants.
* Dr. Larry Harris and his graduate students will conduct a three-part marine invasive species project. They will examine the effects of salinity on seven invasive species; continue seasonal monitoring study of exotic species in Great Bay; and examine the effects of eight predators on invasive species.
* Moose Mountains Regional Greenways will conduct five workshops with land use board members to help interpret The Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watersheds and develop/enhance local conservation plans. Other outreach activities include field trips, presentations at seven annual Lakes Association meetings, and production of six conservation education displays.
* The City of Rochester will conduct a natural resources inventory and use this data to create the first natural resources chapter of the City’s master plan.
The PREP's 2006 Local Grants Program Recipients
* Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission conducted a buffer outreach program to specifically implement land use regulations that protect the remaining undisturbed natural shoreland buffers along the Lamprey and North Branch Rivers (second order and higher) and other surface waters in the towns of Candia and Deerfield.
* Town of Newfields conducted a Prime Wetlands Designation with the assistance of West Environmental that inventoried, evaluated, and prioritized the town’s wetlands.
* Dr. Larry Harris at the University of New Hampshire monitored the seasonal and long-term impact of invasive species in Great Bay. The study involved the creation of a report that synthesizes the existing information on invasives of Great Bay and identifies species that are likely future threats. Lab technicians monitored for invasive species at four sites in Great Bay with SCUBA. The sites were examined for predators of invasive species. Finally, an invasive monitoring study conducted by Dr. Harris in the early 1980s at UNH Coastal Marine Lab was repeated, thus providing insight on invasive species dominance and diversity patterns over time.
* Town of Seabrook worked with a consultant to create a restoration plan for the Cains Pond impoundment along Route 1. The Plan included an inventory of existing conditions, a variety of management options, and recommendations for management.
* Exeter River Local Advisory Committee promoted the 6th Annual Exeter River Festival with promotional materials, such as posters, banners, announcements on Community Access Television and/or newspaper advertisements.
The PREP's 2005 Local Grants Program Recipients
* The City of Portsmouth conducted a feasibility study on the use of treated wastewater from the Pease wastewater treatment plant to irrigate the Pease golf course.
* The Exeter River Local Advisory Committee promoted the 5th Annual Alewife Festival by printing posters, brochures, palm cards, and banners and purchasing twelve newspaper advertisements.
* The University of New Hampshire’s Great Bay Coast Watch supported the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Shellfish Program by transporting mussel tissue samples from Star Island to Concord and from Portsmouth to Concord.
* The Gundalow Company conducted environmental education in Exeter and Dover. The grant payed for planning, towing of the gundalow and printing of 10,000 brochures.
* The Seacoast Land Trust developed “The Great Bog Management and Restoration Plan” which included evaluation of the hydrologic environment, wildlife habitats, and public involvement with protection efforts and guidance for management of wetland and upland invasive species, upland protection priorities, wetland and associated upland restoration, public recreation, and cultural involvement. The study area included a 193-acre conserved parcel, 100 acres of abutting land owned by the City of Portsmouth, and several large parcels held by private landowners that immediately abut The Great Bog.
* The University of New Hampshire developed and monitor revegetation methods at Awcomin Marsh with the field assistance of local high school students. The students evaluated work conducted in 2005 as well as evaluate progress of a restoration site established in 2002.
