Abstract |
The New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) National Estuary Program which is a joint local/state/federal program established under the Clean Water Act with the goal of protecting and enhancing nationally significant estuaries. The NHEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (Management Plan) for New Hampshire's estuaries was completed in 2000 and updated in 2005. The Management Plan outlines key issues related to management of New Hampshire's estuaries and proposes strategies (Action Plans) to protect, enhance, and monitor the states estuarine resources. Local stakeholders established the NHEP's priorities, which include water quality improvements, shellfish resource enhancements, land protection, habitat restoration, and outreach and education. Projects addressing these priorities are undertaken throughout the watershed areas for the Great Bay Estuary, Hampton-Seabrook Estuary, and the New Hampshire Atlantic coast. In addition, the NHEP implements a comprehensive monitoring program for the coastal watersheds. The NHEP collects, compiles, and analyzes data for a number of environmental indicators. |