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.

Flood Smart Seacoast: Technical Assistance Opportunity

Posted on February 24, 2022 by sally.soule

The Flood Smart Seacoast Project is accepting applications for technical assistance to help New Hampshire’s coastal communities:

  • Incorporate best available coastal flood risk science and guidance in decision-making,
  • Adopt higher floodplain management standards, and
  • Access FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding

Technical assistance providers from the NH Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program, Rockingham Planning Commission, Strafford Regional Planning Commission, and UNH Extension/NH Sea Grant will provide direct support to at least 6 coastal communities from May 2022 through March 2023.

Eligible applicants include: Municipal departments, boards, and commissions from NH’s 17 coastal zone communities – Dover, Durham, Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Madbury, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rollinsford, Rye, Seabrook, Stratham, as well as Seabrook Beach Village District and Little Boar’s Head Village District.

Applications must be submitted via an online form by 4:00pm ET on Monday, April 4, 2022.

If you have questions, contact Nathalie DiGeronimo – nathalie.m.digeronimo@des.nh.gov / 603-559-0029. For more information, including the link to the online application form, visit the link below:

https://www.nhcaw.org/flood-smart-seacoast-technical-assistance-applications/

 

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on Flood Smart Seacoast: Technical Assistance Opportunity

Wild & Scenic Film Festival Tickets are going as briskly as today’s wind. Be sure to get yours now!!!

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Steve Landry

The New Hampshire Rivers Council looks forward to seeing you at its twelfth hosting of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

Each year, the New Hampshire Rivers brings one of the largest environmental film festivals to you, in theaters or on your screen. This year it will be virtual on Friday, March 25, 2022, beginning at 7:00 PM EST.

Learn more and buy tickets here

If you can’t be part of the BIG NIGHT or missed a film, your ticket price includes video-on-demand for five days. #NHRIVERSFILMFESTIVAL

This is the twelfth year that the New Hampshire Rivers Council will host this sold-out event. The Wild & Scenic® Film Festival provides environmentally-conscious organizations with an opportunity to showcase films as a way to reach their communities and inspire citizens to effect environmental change. The Festival offers a way for viewers to get energized and empowered to work in the community and get involved in the Council’s initiatives and other projects.

The event includes a number of ways to showcase national sponsors as well as local business partners, including a virtual reception. (Click here for the 2022 sponsorship form to learn how you can be one of them), film screening, slides with logos, and door prizes.

The ticket cost for introductory (first time members only, please), not-yet-members includes a one-year membership to the New Hampshire Rivers Council and all the associated benefits.

There is still time to be a sponsor. If you or your company is interested in being a part of this fun event contact us at 603.228.6472 or info@nhrivers.org.

 

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Grant Match, Hiring a Consultant, Other Funding Sources, Public Involvement/Outreach, QAPPS, Reporting, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Comments Off on Wild & Scenic Film Festival Tickets are going as briskly as today’s wind. Be sure to get yours now!!!

2022 EPA Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program – Request for Applications

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Katie Zink

Dear Water Monitoring Professionals,

I hope this email finds you well and that you and your families are staying safe and healthy. This email is to let you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 is now accepting applications from all New England non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the 2022 EPA Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program.

Introduction

Each year, EPA Region 1 offers NGOs the opportunity to obtain equipment and instrumentation for stormwater monitoring in their communities, free of charge. We do this through an equipment loan program, whereby NGOs in any New England state can apply and, if selected, receive a stormwater toolbox to use during the annual field season. Loaned equipment consists of a water quality meter and several field-ready test kits for screening-level water quality analysis of municipal storm sewer systems and receiving waters. For more information about the application of this toolbox, please refer to Attachment B (EPA NE Bacterial Source Tracking Protocol 2012).

Vision and Goal

The ultimate goal of the equipment loan program is to provide the tools and a framework to enable groups to take an active role in their community and watershed. This can allow groups to enhance environmental stewardship, create healthy, sustainable communities and to collaborate with government at all levels in protecting the environment. The equipment loan program will give groups access to uniform monitoring equipment and methodologies to collect data that can have a meaningful impact in their communities.

Eligibility

Any NGO is eligible to apply (universities, watershed associations, planning commissions, tribes, etc.). Any interested applicant must have a Quality Assurance Program or Project Plan (QAPP) currently in place OR be willing to develop one, in order to be eligible for the program. Municipalities and other members of the regulated community that are subject to NPDES monitoring requirements are not eligible to apply.

Building Equitable Partnerships

EPA is committed to being intentional in its efforts to protect the health and environment of all Americans, including those historically marginalized, overburdened, underserved, and living with the legacy of structural racism. Region 1 is actively working to deploy technical tools and resources to incorporate environmental justice (EJ) considerations into our activities. We need your help to accomplish this task. So, in order to reach the largest number of eligible NGOS throughout New England possible, we are asking that you please forward along this information to those you know who work with NGOS or any of your NGO contacts that would be interested in or benefit from this opportunity, including groups in watersheds with EJ concerns. Thank you to all for your assistance in getting the word out.

Program Details and Application 

A detailed description of the program, including available equipment, organization eligibility, selection process and criteria, and conditions of the equipment loan agreement can be found in the program plan attached to this email (Attachment A). The application form is included in this document as Appendix A. In order to apply, applicants must be familiar with all the items in the plan, as well as the EPA New England Bacterial Source Tracking Protocol (Attachment B), which is the EPA scientific framework behind the toolbox.

Deadlines

Applications will be accepted through close of business on Friday, March 18, 2022, with selections to be announced by April 1, 2022. We will not respond to applicants that we do not select.

Attachment A – EPA New England Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program – Program Plan (application form is Appendix A)

Attachment B – EPA NE Bacterial Source Tracking Protocol 2012

For questions or further information, please do not hesitate to contact me using the contact information below.

Thank you,

Michelle Coombs (she/her)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 1
Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
Field Services Branch | Investigations Team
11 Technology Drive (Mail Code: LFSB)
North Chelmsford, MA 01863-2431
e: coombs.michelle@epa.gov | p: (617) 918-8665

Posted in Announcements/Events, General | Comments Off on 2022 EPA Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program – Request for Applications

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – Spofford Lake Watershed Management Plan Implementation Phase II: Public Boat Launch and Shoreline BMPs

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Jeffrey Marcoux

SWRPC is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit statements of qualification from contractors to provide the deliverables requested in the project scope of work.

This project represents Phase II of the Spofford Lake Watershed Implementation project and will continue the work that began in Phase I. The Spofford Lake Watershed Management Plan (WMP) identified stormwater runoff from the watershed as the highest source of nutrient load to the lake at 50%. Areas of high concern for nutrient-laden stormwater runoff include the direct shoreline area which includes the boat launch and parking lot area. The project involves Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC), in partnership with a range of stakeholders, implementing stormwater controls on one of the 16 watershed survey sites (a public boat launch area) and three priority shoreline survey sites.

RFQ Schedule:

February 14, 2022 – Request for Qualifications release

March 7, 2022 – Deadline for submittal of questions on this RFQ (5:00 p.m.)

March 14, 2022 – Questions and answers summary digest distributed to applicants

March 21, 2022 – Deadline for receipt of qualification packages to this RFQ (5:00 p.m.)

April 2022 – Anticipated final selection of engineering firm and notification to all firms. SWRPC reserves the right to conduct interviews with selected applicants. The decision to conduct interviews and other factors may affect the specified time line.

Each applicant shall submit their RFQ response in pdf format to Lisa Murphy, Senior Planner at lmurphy@swrpc.org by 5:00 p.m. EST on March 21, 2021. Proposals received after this deadline shall not be considered.

For Additional Information, see:  RFQ_Spofford Lake post

 

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – Spofford Lake Watershed Management Plan Implementation Phase II: Public Boat Launch and Shoreline BMPs

Request For Qualifications for Technical Services Ashuelot River Corridor Plan Update

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Jeffrey Marcoux

Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit submittals from individuals/consulting firms to perform technical assistance visits to selected project sites and generate detailed conceptual design plans, calculations and projected costs as described in the Scope of Work.

The current Ashuelot River Corridor Plan was last updated in 2006. Since that time, the effects of climate change have impacted the watershed with more frequent storm events of greater magnitude causing erosion and flooding in various reaches of the river. This project will provide an update to that plan. It will include an updated assessment of the condition of the land and uses in the river corridor with a focus on climate change, storm water run-off and water quality. To help meet the data collection needs, a survey tool was developed and used to assess the river corridor which will help to identify areas to include in the action plan.

The updated river corridor Plan will identify those areas that should be given consideration for remediation and implementation. The Plan will also assist by providing the basis for seeking implementation funding through multiple sources such as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Grant program, NHDES Watershed Assistance grants (EPA 319), Clean Water State Revolving Fund, NH Conservation License Plate Grant program, and others.

RFQ Schedule:

-February 14, 2022 Request for Qualifications release
-February 28, 2022 Deadline for submittal of questions on this RFQ or requests to see the summary digest (5:00 p.m.)
-March 4, 2022 Responses to questions submitted for the summary digest distributed to applicants
-March 18, 2022 Deadline for receipt of qualification packages to this RFQ (5:00 p.m.)
-April 2022 Anticipated selection of individual/firm. SWRPC reserves the right to conduct interviews with select consultants as part of the selection process. The decision to conduct interviews and other factors may affect the timeline.

Each applicant shall submit their RFQ response by e-mail in pdf format to Lisa Murphy, Senior Planner at lmurphy@swrpc.org by 5:00 p.m. EST on March 18, 2022. Proposals received after this deadline shall not be considered.

FOR MORE DETAILS, SEE:  RFQ_Ashuelot River_DES.docx

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Hiring a Consultant, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Comments Off on Request For Qualifications for Technical Services Ashuelot River Corridor Plan Update

Request for Proposals (RFP) Issued by NHDES Nonpoint Source Management Program for New Hampshire’s 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey – Due Date is March 21st

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Steve Landry

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Nonpoint Source Management Program is seeking to hire a consultant to assist with data collection for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) for New Hampshire. The full RFP document is now posted on the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services website:  https://apps.das.nh.gov/bidscontracts/bids.aspx

NHDES manages the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and EPA Section 319 Clean Water Act (CWA) loan and grant programs respectively, which provide funding for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, planning, and nonpoint source management projects. To accomplish the required CWNS work, NHDES seeks to enter into a contractual agreement with a qualified consultant to perform the scope of work from approximately June 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023.

Similar to the 2012 CWNS for New Hampshire, the objective of the survey is to capture, to the maximum extent possible, the total costs of qualifying projects in New Hampshire in all three Stormwater categories (VI-A, VI-B and VI-C) and one Nonpoint Source Control category (VII-K: Hydromodification) as defined in the 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) – State Coordinator Manual. Data will be entered into the CWNS database.

NOTE: A New Hampshire State-specific CWNS Approach Presentation (virtual) will be  hosted by the NHDES NPS Management Program staff on February 24th t 9:00 AM. Attendance is strongly encouraged for interested firms to learn more about the specific CWNS approach for New Hampshire relative to stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution. Details and meeting credentials can be found in the RFP document.

Please contact Stephen Landry (stephen.c.landry@des.nh.gov) in the NHDES NPS Management Program if you have any difficulties accessing the RFP.

Q and A Digest for NHDES CWNS RFP 2022

NH State Specific Approach

 

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Reporting | Comments Off on Request for Proposals (RFP) Issued by NHDES Nonpoint Source Management Program for New Hampshire’s 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey – Due Date is March 21st

Funding announcement for coastal communities: Critical Flood Risk Infrastructure Grant

Posted on February 16, 2022 by sally.soule

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Coastal Program and Watershed Assistance Section are accepting Critical Flood Risk Infrastructure Grant (CFRING) applications for flood resilience and stormwater management projects located within New Hampshire’s coastal watershed. Coastal watershed communities and their stormwater infrastructure are highly susceptible to damage from severe flood risks, including relative sea-level rise (RSLR), coastal storms, RSLR-induced groundwater rise, extreme precipitation, and freshwater flooding. This new grant program intends to support planning and assessment work, as well as implementation projects that reduce flood risk and address stormwater management challenges.

Eligible applicants include municipalities, quasi-governmental organizations (e.g., regional planning commissions, county conservations districts, etc.), non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. Projects must take place within one or more of New Hampshire’s 42 Coastal Watershed communities.[1] Total anticipated funding available for 2022 CFRING projects is approximately $4.5 million. Applicants may request a maximum of $100,000 per Planning and Assessment project or $2.5 million per Implementation project. A match commitment will not be requested for this grant program. Funds are made available to NHDES through the American Rescue Plan Act.

For instructions, evaluation criteria, and to access the application form, visit the CFRING webpage. Applications must be submitted using the online application form no later than 4:00 PM ET on Friday, April 15, 2022.

An informational webinar about the CFRING funding opportunity will take place on Monday, March 7, 2022 from 1:30-2:30 PM ET. Those interested must register for the webinar in advance. A recording of the webinar will be made available on the CFRING webpage for those who are unable to attend.

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.

[1] New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed communities include: Barrington, Brentwood, Brookfield, Candia, Chester, Danville, Deerfield, Dover, Durham, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Farmington, Fremont, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Lee, Madbury, Middleton, Milton, New Castle, New Durham, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, North Hampton, Northwood, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rochester, Rollinsford, Rye, Sandown, Seabrook, Somersworth, Strafford, Stratham and Wakefield.

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on Funding announcement for coastal communities: Critical Flood Risk Infrastructure Grant

New Hampshire Nonpoint Source Management Program watershed protection and restoration projects are on the map!

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Steve Landry

Public Release Notice: Nonpoint Source Watershed Projects Data Explorer

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Nonpoint Source Management Programs are excited to announce the release of an enhanced web mapping application to explore the Nation’s nonpoint source (NPS) watershed projects. It houses information on where NPS projects are being implemented, how CWA §319 Grant funds are used, and progress toward meeting pollution reduction goals. The Data Explorer is a useful tool for interested community members, local watershed partners, and other non-governmental stakeholders to understand the work being done in their watersheds to restore and protect water quality. Enhanced features include a dynamic map with integrated reports that update based on the map view, data filters to narrow search criteria to focus results, and customizable reports for download. The application also integrates NPS program information with other EPA data systems, such as How’s My Waterway, for integrated watershed management. To explore the nonpoint source projects with the interactive map and integrated reports, click here.

Posted in Announcements/Events, General, Grant Match, Other Funding Sources, Public Involvement/Outreach, Reporting, Stuff that Worked, Watershed Protection (High Quality Waters), Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters), Watershed-based Plans | Comments Off on New Hampshire Nonpoint Source Management Program watershed protection and restoration projects are on the map!

If you have a DUNS Number today and need to get a new Unique Entity ID (SAM), attend this Stakeholder Forum to learn how the SAM.gov process works. 

Posted on January 20, 2022 by Katie Zink

REGISTER NOW for next week (Jan 25): Preview the New Look and Feel of Registration and Learn about getting a Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov

Join the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) for the third session in a series on the new Unique Entity ID (SAM). Register now for the session on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. EST: https:/iae-forum-uei3.eventbrite.com/

We will walk through getting a Unique Entity ID (SAM) and have an opportunity for Q & A at the end.

Next month, when you start registering a new entity, the type of registration and type of entity pages will be updated. The new look will provide customer-focused usability changes, improving the overall experience for you.

By April 4, 2022, the federal government will transition away from using the DUNS Number and toward the new Unique Entity ID as the primary means of entity identification for federal awards. If you are registered in SAM.gov, you’ve already been assigned a new Unique Entity ID! It’s viewable in your SAM.gov entity registration record. Go to fsd.gov and select the green Help on UEI Transition button to learn more.

Today, you can get a Unique Entity ID (SAM) from SAM.gov if you are a subcontractor or grant subrecipient who doesn’t need to complete the entity registration process. If you have a DUNS Number today and need to get a new Unique Entity ID (SAM), attend this Stakeholder Forum to learn how the SAM.gov process works.

Register now: https:/iae-forum-uei3.eventbrite.com/

 

Posted in Watershed Restoration (Impaired Waters) | Comments Off on If you have a DUNS Number today and need to get a new Unique Entity ID (SAM), attend this Stakeholder Forum to learn how the SAM.gov process works.