The information in the nomination form, below, was submitted to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to nominate the Souhegan River for inclusion under the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program.

When the Souhegan River is accepted into the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program (NH RMPP), the boards of selectmen of each river town will be asked to nominate one or more citizens to become part of the Local Advisory Committee (LAC). This committee, which will have an equal number of representatives from each of the six river towns, will be asked to come up with a master plan for the river. This will be presented to the planning board in each town with the intent of having consistent protection for river in all the towns. Each town should receive protection from any upstream river problems -- if there are any. The LAC is a voice for the river, which crosses municipal boundaries, almost like conservation commissions are a voice for the environment in each town.

The LAC will have to review any plans requiring state approval on the Souhegan itself, but not on adjoining land. Bridge crossings, wetlands permits, dredge and fill in the river will be sent to the LAC for their recommendation to the state agency.

The benefit is that the Souhegan will have a committee of local citizens that can represent the river before the state can do anything on its own. It increases local control. It will also give the Souhegan more visibility for obtaining grants to correct problems.

There is more information on the Rivers Management and Protection Program and the 11 rivers currently under protection at the DES rivers website.

1. Name of River:  Souhegan River

2. River/River Segment Location (and start/end points) and Length (miles):  Confluence of the west and south branches of the Souhegan River to the confluence with the Merrimack River in Merrimack, approximately 31 miles.

3. (a) Sponsoring Organization or Individual:  Souhegan Watershed Association

    (b) Contact Person:  George May, Chairman, Souhegan Watershed Association

    (c) Address:  Souhegan Watershed Association, 468 Route 13, Milford, NH  03055

    (d) Daytime Telephone Number:  SWA - 673-2409, George May - 883-3409

II. SUMMARY:  RESOURCES OF STATEWIDE OR LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE

III. COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SUPPORT

IV. OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION

V. RIVER CLASSIFICATIONS

VI. MAPS

VII. RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

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Last modifed: 6/27/99 11:25 PM

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