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Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative
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NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup
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Think Blue Exeter!
Exeter has gone to the DUCKS! Exeter has launched a new educational outreach program about the harmful effects of stormwater pollution. Keep an eye & an ear to local TV & radio for the ducks & THINK BLUE EXETER!
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Street Team Needed!
PREP needs some street team volunteers to help us out with promotion & staffing for our upcoming events!
Could you represent PREP at the Clean Water Community Table at an event?
if you're interested in volunteering for PREP! |
 The Great Bay Dialogue has changed its name to the Great Bay Initiative to better reflect the action & effort taking place. The effort will be reinvigorated in 2013, to be linked into the updates, visit the website.
Visit the website for
more information |
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Welcome to Your Estuaries Partnership News!
Well it seems this is the winter that will never end. There's been plenty of opportunities for all those great snowy endeavors we all missed so much last year - snowshoeing at Ordiorne State Park, cross country skiing on the Rockingham Rec Trail and ice fishing on the Bellamy Reservoir. If you're out and about enjoying our Seacoast in the winter share your tales with us on our Facebook page. We love to see folks enjoying our wonderful lands and waters.
Though your yard might still be blanketed in white soon enough it will be time to do some landscaping and spiffing up for spring. A traditional part of that spring clean up is to fertilize your lawn but lawn fertilizer is also a big part of the pollution problem in Great Bay. Did you know that most established lawns in the Seacoast don't need supplemental fertilizer? They'll be perfectly green and lush if you just leave your clippings. Find out more about how you can have a green lawn and help prevent water pollution in our feature story on New Castle's efforts.
From all of us at PREP, thank you for reading and most importantly for caring,
 Jill Farrell Community Impact Program Manager
The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) |
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Feature Story
New Castle's Fertilizer Education Efforts
The Town of New Castle has recently adopted a wonderful public education program called Lawns to Lobsters which is aimed at reducing pollution from fertilizers and pesticides running off of neighborhood lawns. 
The program is part of a larger effort by the New Castle Conservation Commission to curb water pollution into the Great Bay Estuary from the island community. Being an island community and sitting at the mouth of the estuary, the town of New Castle understands its responsibility in reducing runoff pollution and has made education and outreach a top priority for the Commission's efforts over the next three years.
The Lawns to Lobsters concept started in 2009 by the Kennebunkport Conservation Commission in partnership with the University of New England, the Maine Lobstermen's Association and others. Following a study about water quality decline and proper lawn maintenance the group developed the campaign and promoted 10 steps that a homeowner can take that make up the Lawns to Lobsters pledge. Since then the program has spread up and down the southern Maine coast. Using the iconic New England symbol of a lobster and the language "to" helps make the connection for residents that their lawns flow TO the ocean.
The New Castle Conservation Commission is just launching the campaign with some educational articles in the town newsletter and posters around town. They intend to ramp up the effort come spring time when fertilizing is popular. They are having small yard signs made that residents can proudly display once they've taken the Lawns To Lobsters pledge and they will have outreach materials and information at Town Meeting in May and at Green Waste Days this spring. In addition, in order to help residents more easily adopt the 10 tenets of Lawns to Lobsters, the Commission is developing an affordable soil testing program in conjunction with the local school because the best thing you can do for your lawn is to understand what it needs before applying anything. New Castle should be commended for their great efforts on addressing a major source of pollution to the Great Bay estuary!
For more information about Lawns to Lobsters click here.
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Watershed Watch
Our Watershed Watch feature is dedicated to sharing our partners' and others latest research and reports. If you have, or know of a report you would like us to feature in an upcoming issue of Downstream, please contact us and we will be happy to include it.
Picking Our Battles: Enhancing Success of Invasive Plant Control Projects
By: NH Fish & Game
With the help of over 120 different community members, NH Fish & Game has developed town customized priority strategies for invasive plant management and has launched it on a new interactive  website. The battle against invasives is a shared battle and this resource will help in making a real difference across the state in effecting long term restoration. There will also be a support document that helps prioritize from the landscape scale down to the single tract level. The website is live and will be building content over the next couple of weeks.
Check out this valuable resource here.
New Hampshire's Climate: Past & Future Changes
By: Carbon Solutions New England & Great Bay Stewards
This 2-page overview flyer highlights the main findings in the 2011
full report from the University of New Hampshire entitled Climate Change in the Great Bay/Piscataqua Region: Past, Present & Future. The report finds that the rate of change for the region's climate has sped up over the last 4 decades and New England is getting warmer and wetter. The NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (NHCAW) has been extremely active on the issue of climate change in Seacoast, NH and Maine. The group has a great blog & resources site which is worth a visit.
View the 2-page overview of the Study here
Download the entire report here
Sustainable Water Jobs
By: The Pacific Institute
This comprehensive study just released finds that proactive investments increasing efficient water use and re-use will both address growing problems associated with droughts, flooding and contamination and create jobs in a wide range of professions. The
study identifies 136 different kinds of jobs involved in
implementing sustainable water strategies, from plumbers to landscapers, engineers to irrigation specialists. The report also identifies numerous sustainable water occupations that are accessible to workers without advanced degrees. The study finds that an investment of $1 million in alternative water supply projects yields 10-15 jobs; in stormwater management, 5-20 jobs, in urban conservation & efficiency, 12-22 jobs and in restoration and remediation, 10-72 jobs.
Download and read the full report here.
Read the Executive Summary here.
Read the Press Release here.
Lessons Learned from the Climate Ready Estuaries Program
By: US EPA
The brochure highlights the results and lessons learned from 9 Climate Ready Estuaries
The Climate Ready Estuaries program works with the National Estuary Programs (NEP) and the coastal management community to: (1) assess climate change vulnerabilities, (2) develop and implement adaptation strategies, and (3) engage and educate stakeholders. CRE shares NEP examples to help other coastal managers, and provides technical guidance and assistance about climate change adaptation.
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The Health of Great Bay Estuary Community Forum
Hosted by the Newmarket Conservation Commission
Topics covered:
- 2013 State of Our Estuaries: Vital Sign Indicators of the Bay's Health (Rachel & Jill from PREP)
- Nitrogen in Great Bay Watershed (Michelle Daly)
- Habitat Changes in the Estuary: The Role of Nitrogen & Oysters (Ray Konisky)
- Wastewater Treatment in Newmarket: Current & Future Treatment Requirements (Sean Greig)
The Forum was full of valuable information and education for all residents of the Great Bay estuary. For any Newmarket residents that could not make the event, the discussion about wastewater treatment was especially important. On March 12th the Town will vote to approve a bond that will fund the upgrade and renovation of its current wastewater treatment plant.
For more info on the warrant article and details on the plant upgrade click here.
To watch the full Community Forum click here.
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State of Our Estuaries Resources Available!
 
How about this fantastic new poster to hang in your Town Hall or Library?
and we'll get you what you need to help spread the word! |
 The Clean Water Community Calendar
As the Community for Clean Water, one of PREP's goals is to keep you informed on the latest outings, conferences, workshops and FUN happening around our watershed so that you, your family, friends & neighbors can get involved!
Below is our run-down for March. If you have, or know of an event that you would like us to feature in an upcoming issue of Downstream, please contact us!
Saturday, March 2nd
Dover Gateways Design Charrette
10:00am-11:00am; Results Unveiled 2pm-3pm
McConnell Center, Room 306, 62 Locust St., Dover
Dover is exploring how best to highlight and possibly rezone the gateways to the Central Business District and they're looking for residents' help. Your input can help the planners, designers and artists as they design the future of downtown Dover. If you can't make the charrette please take a moment and fill out this survey so your voice can be heard.
If you have any questions about this project, please contact Tim Corwin, Assistant City Planner, by phone at (603) 516-6008 or by e-mail at t.corwin@dover.nh.gov.
Wednesday, March 6th
Site Plan Reading & Analysis Workshop
8:30am-11:30am
Hugh Gregg Center at the Great Bay Discovery Center,
89 Depot Rd., Greenland
Whether you are experienced or you've just volunteered for your local land use board (planning, conservation, zoning) you know reading and interpreting site plans is part of the job. Don't panic, this workshop will help you to learn what all those lines mean and give you an introduction to basic engineering terms. We will review a variety of plan types including site and subdivision plans, existing conditions, grading and drainage, road cross-sections, profiles, and landscape plans. We will go on a virtual tour to further identify typical elements on site and subdivisions. Participants will get a hands-on session with a simple step-by step process of highlighting plans. By the end of the session you will have a good idea on how you can make plans more "readable", how to begin your analysis of plans, and how to use highlighted plans as a tool for discussion with developers.
There are only a few spots remaining for this valuable FREE workshop.
Wednesday, March 6th
Seacoast Science Cafe: Sustainable Communities, Public Health & Transportation
6:00pm; Doors open at 5:00pm
The Portsmouth Brewery, Jimmy LaPanza Lounge,
56 Market St., Portsmouth, NH
The Seacoast Science Café provides a unique opportunity for researchers to talk with Seacoast residents about the science that directly impacts our lives. The casual environment encourages people to join the conversation, even if they don't know much about the topic right away. Everyone is welcome, and no tickets or reservations are necessary. So grab a pint, a bite & join in the discussion.
US EPA MS4 Permit Meeting
1:00pm-3:00pm.
Exeter (Old) Town Hall, 9 Front Street, Exeter
EPA will be holding four informal public meetings on the NH Draft Small MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) Permit prior to the Public Hearing. Newton Tedder from the EPA, will present the draft permit followed by Q & A. This meeting in Exeter is specifically designed for the New NH Small MS4 municipalities and the public.
Contact Barbara McMillan from NH DES to register.
Saturday, March 9th
Great Works Regional Land Trust Spring Auction & Dinner
5:00-8:30pm
Spring Hill Restaurant, 117 Pond Rd., South Berwick, Maine
Come and celebrate Spring early while supporting the Great Works Regional Land Trust. There will be hors d'oeuvres, drinks, a silent auction, dinner and then a live auction.
To purchase tickets online and to view a list of auction items,
You may call the office at 207-646-3604 or email info@gwrlt.org for more information and to reserve tickets.
Seacoast Local's Epic 50 Mile Chef Challenge
6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
The Black Trumpet, 29 Ceres St., Portsmouth, NH
Chef Evan Mallett will take on the challenge of cooking a wonderful meal with all ingredients sourced less than a 50-mile radius. No citrus, no imported sugar, salt or oil.
Dinner is $50/per person with all proceeds benefiting Seacoast Local's ReRootEd Program.
Check out the fantastic menu & Make your reservation for this epic dining experience here
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Maine Water Conference
Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine
The 2013 Maine Water Conference will be held on Tuesday March 19, 2013, at the Augusta Civic Center. The Maine Water Conference was founded in 1994 by the Mitchell Center as an annual forum for water resource professionals, researchers, consultants, citizens, students, regulators, and planners to exchange information and present new findings on water resource issues in Maine.
Registration & agenda available online, click here.
Friday, March 22nd
NH Water & Watershed Conference
8:00am-4:00pm
Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH
The New Hampshire Water and Watershed Conference is designed to meet the information and networking needs of scientists; educators; consultants; students; lake, river, and watershed groups; environmental organizations; volunteer monitors; municipal board and staff members; elected officials; local and regional planners; and policy makers. The Plenary Speaker, Linwood Pendleton the chief economist for NOAA, will present a talk on "Clean Water and the New Hampshire Economy".
For the conference agenda, info and to register Click HereSunday, March 24th
Kick Off Beach Clean-Up
3:00pm
The Wall, across from Cinnamon Rainbows, Hampton Beach, NH
Join the Blue Ocean Society for its first of the season beach clean up! After this winter we've had full of storms there will be plenty of debris that will need to be cleaned and many hands make for light work.
Thursday, March 28th
Green Alliance Green Citizens' Learning Series: Safe Pest Management & Sustainable Storm Mitigation
5:00pm-7:00pm
Green Alliance Offices, 75 Congress St., Portsmouth, NH
The second installment in the Green Citizens Learning Series will offer insight on effective and safe pest management from Tom Pray, owner of EcoTech Pest Control. The seminar will also feature presentations on sustainable storm mitigation from Cornerstone Tree Care and Suntree Tree Healthcare.
Seminars are free for Green Alliance Members!
Non-Members can join @ www.greenalliance.biz/join
RSVP to Sarah@greenalliance.biz
STATE OF OUR ESTUARIES ROLL OUT EVENTS:
If your club, organization, neighborhood or group would like to host a State of Our Estuaries Roll Out Event in 2013, please e-mail us and we'll be in touch to organize a date!
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