Invitation from Upper Merrimack River Local Advisory Committee to Learn About the City of Concord Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study – May 16th at 7:00 PM

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Steve Landry

 

Not sure what to do this Monday night (May 16th) at 7:00 PM?

Come join the Upper Merrimack River Local Advisory Committee https://www.merrimackriver.org/ and hear from their guest speaker about the Stormwater Feasibility Study completed in 2020 for the City of Concord. David Cedarholm, City Engineer in Concord will present on the feasibility study and how a Stormwater Utility could serve as a funding mechanism for the current and future stormwater programs and stormwater issues facing the City of Concord.

Stormwater Utilities exist in 41 states across the U.S. including our neighboring states of Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. Come learn about the benefits and challenges of establishing Stormwater Utilities in New Hampshire and see if Concord may be the first to establish such a utility in the state.

The presentation will begin promptly at 7:00 PM in the City-wide Community Center located at 14 Canterbury Road in Concord. I hope you will consider joining us for this compelling and interesting presentation and question and answer session.

You can check out the Concord Stormwater Feasibility Study here:  https://www.concordnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15047/Concord-Stormwater-Utility-Feasibility-Study_Mar2020

Hope to see you there!

 

 

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Culvert Flood Risk Assistance Grant Application

Posted on May 10, 2022 by sally.soule

NHDES is Accepting Applications for Culvert Flood Risk Assistance Grants

 The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is accepting Culvert Flood Risk Assistance Grant applications for replacement of outdated, undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts that are highly susceptible to flooding.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to encourage replacement of high-risk culverts with better designed crossings that meet improved structural and environmental design standards and flood resiliency criteria. Incorporating these standards into culvert replacement designs will reduce flood hazards and risks to public safety, including culvert failure and road washout.

Eligible applicants include New Hampshire municipalities and non-governmental organizations. Total anticipated funding available for the Culvert Flood Risk Assistance Grant Program is approximately $1,000,000. Funds are made available to NHDES through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Applicants may request a maximum of $400,000 per culvert replacement project. A portion of the grant award may be used to fund non-construction related activities, including engineering and design, permitting, bidding/construction contract services, and project management and reporting, up to a maximum of 20% of the grant award. A match commitment will not be requested for this grant program.

For instructions, evaluation criteria, and to access the application form, visit the Culvert Flood Risk Assistance Grant Program webpage. Applications must be submitted using the online application form no later than 4:00 PM ET on Friday, July 1, 2022.

Please contact NHDES Watershed Management Specialist Ben Sweeney at (603) 559-0021 or benjamin.r.sweeney1@des.nh.gov with inquiries about this funding opportunity.

 

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Invitation to USEPA Listening Sessions with s319 Watershed Assistance Grant Recipients (past, current, and future!)

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Steve Landry

Please see below for an announcement from EPA regarding a series of listening sessions for communities and local organizations that are current or potential recipients of 319 sub-awards.

“On September 27, 2022, EPA released a memo entitled Near-term Actions 

to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program. In the memo, EPA committed to taking action to ensure equitable and fair access to the benefits of cleaner water prov

 

ided by the Section 319 program. Among the actions EPA commits to in the memo is an ongoing dialogue with the NPS community as this work goes forward.

As a part of this dialogue, it is important to hear from those who might have received a pass through grant from a state or territory and those who have not yet received a 319 grant.  The NPS program is hosting four listening sessions open to all NPS subgrantees and those considering applying for an NPS grant. If you are interested in participating in a listening session, please sign up through our Eventbright Registration for one of the following dates:

  • Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00pm-2:30pm ET 
  • Wednesday, May 18 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET  
  • Note: This session will focus on communities in the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed
  • Tuesday, May 24 at 6:00pm-7:30pm ET 
  • Wednesday, May 25 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET 

These listening sessions will provide an overview of the NPS program and the Justice40 initiative, and a facilitated discussion with subgrantees. This discussion aims to understand the challenges facing environmental justice communities, Tribes, and Indigenous communities, how these challenges impact NPS programs working within these communities, and how EPA can help address these challenges through action in the Clean Water Act Section 319 programs.

NPS grants are given directly to states, territories, and tribes to support a variety of activities related to nonpoint source efforts. To learn more about the NPS program, please visit this webpage.

If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Cyd Curtis (Curtis.cynthia@epa.gov)  or Steve Epting (epting.steve@epa.gov)

 

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Environmental Justice Listening Sessions for the Nonpoint Source and Gulf Hypoxia Communities

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Katie Zink

On September 27, 2021, EPA released a memo entitled Near-term Actions to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program. In the memo, EPA committed to taking action to ensure equitable and fair access to the benefits of cleaner water provided by the Clean Water Act Section 319 program. Among the actions EPA commits to in the memo is an ongoing dialogue with the NPS community as this work goes forward.

As a part of this dialogue, it is important to hear from those who might have received a pass through grant from a state or territory and those who have not yet received a 319 grant. The NPS program is hosting four listening sessions open to all NPS subgrantees and those considering applying for a 319 grant. If you are interested in participating in a listening session, please sign up through our Eventbrite Registration for one of the following dates:

  • Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00pm-2:30pm ET 
  • Wednesday, May 18 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET  
  • Note: This session will focus on communities in the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed of the Hypoxia Task Force states
  • Tuesday, May 24 at 6:00pm-7:30pm ET 
  • Wednesday, May 25 at 3:00pm-4:30pm ET 

These listening sessions will provide an overview of the NPS program and the Justice40 initiative, and a facilitated discussion with subgrantees. The discussion will aim to understand the challenges facing environmental justice communities, Tribes, and Indigenous communities, how these challenges impact NPS programs working within these communities, and how EPA can help address these challenges through action in the Clean Water Act Section 319 program.

319 grants are given directly to states, territories, and tribes to support a variety of activities related to nonpoint source pollution control. To learn more about the NPS program, please visit this webpage.

Please share this opportunity with any subgrantees or community groups who have applied, are eligible, or received Section 319 grants to ensure robust engagement on this critical issue.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Cyd Curtis  (curtis.cynthia@epa.gov)  or Steve Epting (epting.steve@epa.gov).

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on Environmental Justice Listening Sessions for the Nonpoint Source and Gulf Hypoxia Communities

Town of Madison Salt Brining Workshop – Tuesday April 19th – REGISTER NOW!

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Steve Landry

On Tuesday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Madison’s Department of Public Works and town officials will share how they were able to reduce salt use and save money this winter using a salt brining system and truck. Brining is a process that liquefies salt before it is applied to roadways and has been found to be more effective at melting ice and snow while reducing road salt applications by more than 50%. This program is free and open to the public, geared towards town officials, road agents, private contractors, lake associations and others interested in reducing salt use.

Please pre-register by contacting education@gmcg.org as space is limited. The workshop is free and open to the public will be held at the Madison Department of Public Works located at 1923 Village Rd, Madison, NH 03849, adjacent to the Madison Elementary School. This program is a collaboration between Madison, GMCG, Saco Headwaters Alliance and UNH Technology Transfer Center. Program participants receive 1 Environmental Roads Scholar hour for their participation and a certificate of completion from UNHT2.

For more information on the hazards of road salts and how to reduce their use visit GMCG’s saltresponsibly.com website.

Please share with town officials, road agents, highway departments, DPW folks and others who can benefit from this information. Thank you!

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Public Involvement/Outreach, Stuff that Worked, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Comments Off on Town of Madison Salt Brining Workshop – Tuesday April 19th – REGISTER NOW!

2022 PRE‐APPLICATION INVITATION FOR THE NH CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN PROGRAM

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Katie Zink

NHDES is now accepting Pre‐applications for the 2022 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for wastewater, stormwater and nonpoint source projects. CWSRF funding is available for water pollution control, watershed protection and restoration, and estuary management projects that contribute to the protection of public health, water quality and the environment.

A monumental increase in CWSRF appropriations has been made available over the next five years with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). BIL includes an annual increase in CWSRF base capitalization grants, as well as new capitalization grants with supplemental funding, and funds for addressing emerging contaminants.

Deadline for CWSRF pre‐applications: Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

The 2022 CWSRF Pre-Application is once again available as an electronic form. The form has been updated to align with the 2022 Ranking Criteria. The system requires users to create a self-registered nForm account. The account will allow you, as a user, to save an incomplete form and return to edit it later, share forms and have continued electronic access to the forms after submittal. Register for an account and access the CWSRF Pre-Application at: https://onlineforms.nh.gov/.

The CWSRF 2022 Ranking Criteria documents are essential to completing pre-applications. Ranking criteria apply to planning and/or infrastructure projects for both wastewater and stormwater:

2022 Ranking Criteria for Wastewater Planning and Infrastructure Projects

2022 Ranking Criteria for Stormwater Planning and Infrastructure Projects

ADDITIONAL SUBSIDY

NH CWSRF plans to offer additional subsidy for projects funded from the 2022 CWSRF PPL in the form of loan principal forgiveness. Principal forgiveness awards are generally a percentage of loan disbursements at the time of the initial principal and interest repayment. Principal forgiveness is available based on affordability score and other special initiatives described below.

Affordability:

The increased funding comes with an increase in the amount of additional subsidy available to NH communities.  Once 2022 pre‐applications and all 2021 loan applications are received, NHDES will be able to determine the principal forgiveness available for 2022 projects. This process includes consideration of the number and dollar amount of pre‐applications from the various communities in NH.

NH CWSRF plans to continue offering the following incentives:

Planning, 100% up to $100,000:

INCREASED PRINCIPAL FORGIVENESS OFFER! NH CWSRF plans to award 100% principal forgiveness, up to $100,000, for wastewater and/or stormwater planning evaluations. Limited remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds may be used toward this incentive. Submit CWSRF Pre-applications to be considered for any available funding in this category.

For more information please reference: CWSRF Wastewater and Stormwater Planning Guidance Document.

Asset Management, 100% ranging from $30,000 up to $180,000:

The pre-application for Asset Management projects has been abbreviated as these proposals are not subject to ranking criteria.  NH CWSRF will award 100% principal forgiveness, up to $30,000 for stormwater asset management projects and ranging $30,000 to $180,000 for wastewater asset management projects depending on the size and complexity of the system.  Limited remaining ARPA funds may be used toward this incentive.  Submit CWSRF Pre-applications to be considered for any available funding in this category.

Please reference the CWSRF asset management guidance document: CWSRF Asset Management Loan Forgiveness Guidance Document

Comprehensive Energy Audit Measure Implementation, 50% up to $250,000:

INCREASED PRINCIPAL FORGIVENESS OFFER! NH CWSRF plans to award 50% principal forgiveness, up to $250,000, on disbursements for project components that implement recommendations from comprehensive energy audits. Up to $500,000 in energy audit implementation project expenditures may be approved for 50% principal forgiveness. Limited remaining ARPA funds may be used toward this incentive. Submit CWSRF Pre-applications to be considered for any available funding in this category.

Loan recipients must apply for electric and gas utility incentives to qualify for the NH CWSRF principal forgiveness. CWSRF principal forgiveness will be calculated on the total project cost (prior to incentives from the electric or gas utility). CWSRF principal forgiveness may be reduced if the combination of the two incentives brings the cost of the project to the loan recipient to less than $0.

Emerging Contaminants 100% Additional Subsidy/Principal Forgiveness:

NEW! NH CWSRF is applying for $935K in 2022 to address emerging contaminants. Please note that guidance on eligible projects for this funding is pending. Currently, NHDES intends to focus on PFAS and utilize these funds for loans with principal forgiveness for (1) municipal PFAS source identification and elimination/reduction projects and (2) treatment of landfill leachate from municipally owned landfills that discharge to a municipal wastewater treatment plant.

REMINDERS:

PLEASE JOIN US April 11th-15th for the 2022 Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop

2021 LOAN APPLICATIONS are due June 30, 2021.  If your community is not submitting a loan application for any of the projects awarded funding on the 2021 PPL, be sure to submit new Pre‐applications for those projects to be considered for the 2022 PPL and financial incentives.

SAVE THE DATE August 4, 2022, Water Infrastructure Programs Annual Public Hearing

 Please contact Kathie Bourret (Kathleen.Bourret@des.nh.gov or 603-271-2902) or Beth Malcolm (Beth.Malcolm@des.nh.gov or 603-271-2978) with any questions.

For more information please visit our webpage: Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

2021 ARPA GRANT APPLICATIONS are due June 30, 2021. If you were offered ARPA grant funds for a Planning or Infrastructure project on the 2021 PPL, please be reminded that your grant application is due to NHDES no later than June 30, 2022.  For projects offered CWSRF and ARPA funds, both the loan application and grant application must be completed by the deadline.

For any questions related to ARPA grant funds, please contact Sarah Ridyard (Sarah.B.Ridyard@des.nh.gov or 603-271-8484).

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The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services offers a grant program for local communities to monitor public drinking water systems for indicators of cyanobacteria blooms and cyanotoxins

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Katie Zink

You have heard about cyanobacteria wreaking havoc in our lakes and how it can harm people and pets who swim in it. But, did you know about the impacts of these dangerous blooms on the water you drink?

In your community, drinking water comes from lakes. It is critical for cyanobacteria research to take place on public drinking water sources to ensure people are consuming clean and healthy water. The good news is that there is a grant opportunity to help community groups purchase cyanobacteria monitoring equipment to monitor public drinking water supplies like that one that provides water to your home.

Can you help us spread the word? Given your passion for our lakes, and your connection to your local community, I was hoping you might know of a community group or individual who is up for the challenge. If you know of anyone willing to test the water you drink for cyanobacteria, please tell them about this grant opportunity.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services offers a grant program for local communities to monitor public drinking water systems for indicators of cyanobacteria blooms and cyanotoxins.

You can find the Cyanotoxin Monitoring Equipment and Training Grant Application and Guidance here.

For more information, you can reach out to:

Ann-Elizabeth Pelonzi, Source Protection Specialist
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau
Phone: 603-271-3906
Email: Ann.E.Pelonzi@des.nh.gov

Thank you for anything you can do to help ensure that cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins are regularly monitored in New Hampshire’s drinking water.

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services offers a grant program for local communities to monitor public drinking water systems for indicators of cyanobacteria blooms and cyanotoxins

Register Now For the NHDES 2022 Source Water Protection Conference!

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Katie Zink

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) will hold its 2022 Drinking Water Source Protection Conference on Tuesday, May 24th in-person at the Army National Guard Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, NH and Wednesday, May 25th on-line (virtual) using the GoToWebinar platform.  This year’s conference will feature discussions and presentations on:

  • State legislative and Drinking Water Program Funding Updates
  • Distribution and fate of PFAS in wastewater treatment facilities
  • Results from a statewide spill-risk assessment (surface sources)
  • Recent examples of conserving critical water supply lands
  • Local municipal case study to reduce road salt and improve groundwater quality
  • NHDES and Partners’ private well outreach

….and more interesting source protection topics!

The conference fee is:

May 24th, Day One – $45.00 (includes breakfast and lunch).  Register early as attendance is limited.

May 25th, Day Two – $20.00

REGISTER at the American Ground Water Trust website: www.agwt.org

NH Water Works Operators May Earn 9 Technical Credit Hours by attending both days

Registration questions? Contact AGWT: astone@agwt.org or 603-228-5444.
Other questions? Contact Pierce Rigrod at NHDES: pierce.rigrod@des.nh.gov or 603-271-0688.

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Request for Bids – Construction of stormwater BMPs – Moultonborough NH

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Jeffrey Marcoux

INVITATION TO BID

Installation of Erosion Control Measures at Balmoral Beach,
Moultonborough, NH

The Lake Winnipesaukee Association (LWA) invites interested contractors to submit a proposal for the installation of erosion control measures to defend the shoreline from displacement into Lake Winnipesaukee.

Please see the following Bid Request Document:

RFB_Balmoral_3.1.22_with addenda_ADA

Questions concerning this project may be directed to Pat Tarpey, Project Manager, Lake
Winnipesaukee Association, P.O. Box 1624, Meredith, NH 03253, or ptarpey@winnipesaukee.org .  Two signed, original copies of the bid proposal must be provided to LWA by 4:00 pm on Monday, April 4, 2022.

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Rivers do what?! A discussion of rivers, river processes, and human interactions and New Hampshire Rivers Council Annual Meeting on March 8th, 2022 from 6 – 8 PM.

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Steve Landry

Please join the New Hampshire River Council for its annual meeting with updates on work including the Winnicut River watershed and McQuesten Brook.

Nick Nelson, fluvial geomorphologist, Inter-Fluve, will present “Rivers do what?! A discussion of rivers, river processes, and human interactions” where he will explain how and why rivers act the way they do and also how we as humans influence their behavior.

Nick Nelson is the east coast regional director for Inter-Fluve, a river and wetland restoration firm. Based in the Cambridge, MA office, Nick focuses on designs for dam removals, channel bank stabilization, restoration of retired cranberry bogs to rivers and wetlands, and reconnecting urban communities to their water resources. He currently teaches a class at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

The annual meeting and presentation will be online and there is no cost to register. Please click here to register. 

Please contact me with any questions at President@NHRivers.org or 603.228.6472 or directly at 603.796.2615.

Sincerely,

Michele L. Tremblay
President, Board of Directors

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Council’s 12th hosting of the Wild & Scenic® Film Festival, Friday, March 25, 2022.  Click here to get yours.

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Grant Match, Hiring a Consultant, Other Funding Sources, Public Involvement/Outreach, QAPPS, Reporting, Stuff that Didn't Work, Stuff that Worked, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Comments Off on Rivers do what?! A discussion of rivers, river processes, and human interactions and New Hampshire Rivers Council Annual Meeting on March 8th, 2022 from 6 – 8 PM.