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June 9, 2009

My Opinion: June 11

by NH State Rep. L. Mike Kappler

RAYMOND-So, what is our water worth? New Hampshire’s economic well-being, public health, and quality of life depends on the sustainable management of our state’s water resources. Whether it is needed for drinking, manufacturing, recreation, waste assimilation, or ecosystem health, water is a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s beauty and prosperity. New Hampshire is home to over 1,000 lakes and ponds, and over 12,000 miles of rivers and streams which offer recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, that translate into millions of dollars in sales, in income, and thousands of full-time and seasonal jobs in the state. With all the growth in Rockingham County, we face a number of significant challenges as the state plans ahead for the sustainable management of water resources.

One of the ways, to help with the public education in the protection of our lakes and rivers is the various activities conducted by the Local Advisory Committees (LAC). Another excellent source of information is the recently developed NHDES Water Resources Primer, which informs policy makers and residents about the state’s water resources and the challenges of sustainability managing them.

There are two programs: on the national level, there is the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and on the state level there is the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program (RMPP). The RMPP program is based on a two-tiered approach to river management and protection, protecting the in-stream values and characteristics (water quality and flow) and local development and adoption of river corridor management plans to protect shorelines and adjacent lands. The overall purpose of the program is to protect the significant river resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

The RMPP is administered by NHDES working closely with the volunteer groups, the statewide Rivers Management Advisory Committee (RMAC), and the river’s local advisory committees, such as the Exeter River Local Advisory Committee (ERLAC), and the Lamprey River Local Advisory Committee (LRLAC). The volunteers on the ERLAC and LRLAC committees are local residents of the towns in which the protected segments of the river flows, nominated by the town’s governing body, and appointed to the committee by NHDES. The Exeter River is designated as protected in the communities of Chester, Sandown, Danville, Fremont, Raymond, Brentwood, and Exeter. The Lamprey River is designated as protected in the communities of Lee and Durham.

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers program was created by the U.S. congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection. Only two rivers in New Hampshire are in this program, the Wildcat, and the lower portion of the Lamprey River, including the communities of Lee, Durham, and parts of Newmarket. Participation in the Wild and Scenic program is a great opportunity for the local committees working to protect a river as there is various grant moneys available for their numerous projects. Receiving this national recognition is a major accomplishment to the river and its watershed towns.

On the local level, a very active group of volunteers working for the betterment of the Lamprey is the Lamprey River Watershed Association (LRWA). The LRWA was formed in 1980 to promote the restoration, conservation, wise development and use of the natural resources of the Lamprey River Watershed. The Lamprey River begins in Northwood, and courses 60 miles through six towns before becoming tidal waters in Newmarket and emptying into the coastal estuary known as Great Bay. The LRWA works in partnership with other conservation organizations and citizens groups to maintain or improve the natural health and beauty of the watershed. The LRWA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The LRWA and the LRAC are currently working with Raymond to form the river corridor committee, authorized by a Raymond warrant article, to protect the remaining portions of the Lamprey River into the Rivers Management and Protection Program. The LRWA is hosting a workshop on June 13th. I will have a table there with information on the committee and a sign up sheet for volunteers interested in joining the committee helping us to achieve this protection for the remainder of the river.

Remember, it’s our rivers that help recharge our ground water that we drink. They are there for us to enjoy, but also rely on us for protection. If we want to continue to use the rivers for fishing, swimming, boating, or just sitting alongside while having a quiet picnic lunch, it is up to us to work to keep up their quality and water quantity for future generations. Join one of these river committees and support the rivers and their protection programs. If interested, I can put you in touch with any of these committees.

Don’t forget the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is this Saturday, June 14th, at the Iber Homes Gove Raymond Middle School track. The relay runs from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. There is still time to join one of the teams participating, or you can just stop by, cheer them on, and give a small donation to help find a cure for cancer. For more information, call Deborah Moran at 895-3146.

The 4th of July Raymond Parade is coming sooner than you think. Keep the date and come see and enjoy the best parade in New Hampshire. Step off is at 9:30 a.m. There is still time to enter your old car, farm tractor, float, group, horse, or etc. Don’t forget, this is an all free family event. Leave your wallet at home. There will be food, water, music, and games for the kids, all on the common after the parade ceremony.

(Editor’s Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net)



By NH State Rep. L. Mike Kappler

RAYMOND – So what is happening to the same-sex marriage HB-436 now? That’s the big question. Governor Lynch articulated strong principles that he recommends to amend the current language in HB-73 in order for him to pass it or he would veto it. State Rep. Gene Chandler, former House Speaker, said it best, “The House spoke and refused to accede to the governor’s demands and the only responsible thing left for him to do is honor his commitment and veto HB-436 so that we can get back to the real problems facing this state, specifically the budget and fixing our economy”.

HB-436 was originally introduced in the House on January 8th in committee. It went through the committee, sub-committee, floor vote, and then over to the Senate to go through the same process, before being sent to the governor. So why did the governor wait 4-1/2 months before he said he didn’t like the language and presented his mandated amendment? Was it because he had promised to veto the bill and was hoping it would be killed in either the House or Senate and save him the problem? Well Governor, your party let you down. They dropped the ball in your court. The big question now is who will the Senate President and Speaker of the House pick as conferees to try and fix it? As Republican Leader Rep. Sherm Packard said, “ The committee of conference that will deal with gay marriage must be fair and leadership should include members who voted on both sides of the issue”. Now instead of vetoing the bill, as previously said, the governor is demanding relatively minor changes in it. I will continue to vote NO, you can count on that.

With the same-sex mess still in the air and our governor still on the fence, he now comes out and tells the Senate that if they don’t remove the 15 cent gas tax from HB-2, he will veto the bill.Yea, right. Maybe we should buy our governor a mechanical bull to ride. Why not- we’ve spent money these last three years on worse ideas, and he could practice his fence riding on it.

Our recently re-elected State Rep. Marilinda Garcia, of Salem, spoke on the House floor saying, “ The amendment provides no protection - and that’s no protection whatsoever - to individuals based on their religious beliefs and faith”. Between the same-sex marriage and the excessive spending that has been going on, the 2010 elections should prove to be a real muddy season.

The New Hampshire Winery Association has come up with a cool business card that you can leave at your local restaurant while dining. On the front it says “Buy Local.. Eat Local.. Drink Local” and “I wish I could have ordered New Hampshire made wine with dinner tonight”. On the back of the card it lists the New Hampshire Wineries currently selling NH made wine to restaurants, and their contact info. I picked up a pack of the cards recently at NH’s oldest winery Jewell Towne Vineyards, in South Hampton. You should stop there and taste some of the wines they are showcasing. Under the fine guidance of our server Erica, my wife, daughter, and I tried several whites and reds, from dry to sweet, all to our enjoyment. Jewell Towne has captured over 100 Medals in National and International competitions since it opened in 1994. Yes, this is another pitch to support our local businesses, and now I also have an excuse to visit some local restaurants, eat out and leave one of these cards. I’m sure these cards are also available at the other local wineries and I’ll get some more cards when I visit them next time. I heard Zorvino Vineyards, in Sandown, is holding a big BBQ for Father’s Day. What a swell idea.

The “Your Water, Your Wallet, Your Watershed”, why working together across town boundaries makes $ense for protecting our water, an important watershed workshop, is coming up next Saturday, June 13th, for the 14 Lamprey River watershed towns. The all day event will be held at the Nottingham Town Hall, 139 Stage Rd., (Rte 152) starting at 8:00a.m., with a coffee social. The four speakers are: 8:45a.m. - Christine Feurt, “Protecting Our Children’s Water - Engaging the Kaleidoscope of Expertise”, 9:15 a.m. - Erika Washburn, “The Lamprey River Watershed: Key Concepts, Issues and Challenges to Land Use Decision Making in the 14 Towns”, 10:25 a.m. - Michelle Daley, “Water Quality Research in the Lamprey River Watershed: Road Salt and Nitrogen”, and 11:10AM Derek Sowers, :Consistency of Environmental Planning & Regulation Between Towns in the Lamprey River Watershed”. This will be a gathering of people from the towns in the watershed, and I will be there collecting names of those wishing to join the committee to nominate the remaining portions of the river in the NH Rivers Protection Program. In addition to members of various town boards, such as Conservation, Planning, Zoning, Selectmen, and Long Range Planning, others interested in protecting the future of their town’s water supply, should attend.

Please take note... The “Roll Call Round Up”, dated 4/9/09, that was in last week’s paper had the roll call vote backwards for D) Raise the tobacco tax. An amendment to delete the tax increase failed 165-191, so the tax remains. A YES vote favored deleting the tax increase, while a NO vote favored the tax increase. We were trying to remove the tax with the YES vote.

(Editor’s Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net)



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My Opinion: June 11
by Anonymous , , Tue Jun 09, 2009, 10:38 AM EDT
My Opinion

Obituaries
  • Myron W. Cate

    RAYMOND — Myron W. Cate, 79, of Hay Springs, Nebraska died peacefully at home on August 20, 2010. Myron was born on February 23, 1931 in Manchester. He was a resident of Raymond, until he joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. He proudly served his country in both the Navy and then the Air Force during the Korean War. Myron's patriotism and strong love of American Freedom was seen as he was known to even carry a copy of the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution in his pocket.

    Continued ...
    13 hours
  • William H. Goodwin

    William "Bill" H. Goodwin Sr. died Tues., August 10, 2010

    Continued ...
    14 days
  • Irving L. Swett

    Irving L. Swett, 95, died August 9, 2010.

    Continued ...
    14 days
  • Dwight "Pop" Tuttle

    Dwight "Pop" Tuttle, 77, passed away very peacefully on Wed., July 28, 2010.

    Continued ...
    21 days
  • Pamela D. Mastroianni

    Pamela D. Mastroianni, 63, of Kingston, passed unexpectedly at Exeter Hospital on August 1, 2010.

    Continued ...
    21 days

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