Abstract |
NHEPs Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (Management Plan) for New Hampshires estuaries was completed in 2000 and updated in 2005. The Management Plan outlines key issues related to management of New Hampshires estuaries and proposes strategies (Action Plans) to protect, enhance, and monitor the states estuarine resources. Local stakeholders established the NHEPs priorities, which include water quality improvements, shellfish resource enhancements, land protection, habitat restoration, and outreach and education. Projects addressing these priorities are undertaken throughout New Hampshires 42 community coastal watershed. In addition, the NHEP developed and now implements a comprehensive monitoring program for the coastal watershed. The NHEP collects, compiles and analyzes data for a number of environmental indicators. The NHEPs communications plan outlines goals and strategies to shape the programs outreach and communications activities to better support Management Plan implementation. Each year the NHEP prepares its work plan, which describes recent accomplishments and priority activities and projects to be undertaken in the next year to implement the Management Plan. The work plan is developed by the NHEP with input from NHEPs four project teams. The NHEP Management Committee reviews and approves the work plan each year. The current work plan represents the twelfth year of the NHEPs activities and involvement in collaboratively protecting, enhancing, and monitoring New Hampshires estuaries. |