Lake News - Dartmouth Hockey Outing and Legislation
Hello Crystal Lake,
I've got two quick things for you:
First off...
We have 24 signed up and ready to go for tomorrow night's Dartmouth hockey game. So that means we still have 6 tickets left if anyone is interested! We didn't set up an official dinner event with reservations for before the game, but I know a small group is getting together at Snax Restaurant in Lebanon (5:30ish). Folks are welcome to join, and we can all just get separate checks to keep it simple. If not, no worries... see you at the rink! (7pm puck drop.)
Second thing...
Below you will find a legislative update from Andrea at NH LAKES. This is both important and time sensitive. There are three bills that will be discussed this upcoming week in the NH legislature that directly or indirectly impact our lakes. While all three are extremely important, I want to draw special attention to the first one, HB1540. I have first-hand knowledge of this bill and want to recognize our own State Representative David Fracht who is the primary sponsor of this legislation. This bill is designed to shift authority back to the local municipalities as it relates to development around protected shorelands.
Below you will find additional information on the bill and a step-by-step process to ensure that your voice is heard on this issue. It will take 5-10 minutes of your time, and our collective efforts could impact Crystal Lake's water quality for generations to come. Thank you for being a part of the solution!
That's it for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Dan
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Dear Lake Friend,
Last week, NH LAKES advocates showed up in a big way, signing in online and speaking up for six lake-friendly bills to protect our lakes from pesticides and road salt, and to fund the fight against toxic cyanobacteria blooms. For several hearings, more than 100 lake supporters signed in online and shared why these bills matter for their communities and their lakes. Thank you for standing up for your favorite lake and all of New Hampshire’s lakes.
We’ll share an update soon on where those bills stand.
In the meantime, three more bills that could directly impact our lakes will have public hearings next week. Read on to learn what they would do and the action we recommend you take. If you plan to testify at any of the hearings next week, contact me in advance so we can coordinate our talking points.
Remember–advocacy is most effective when legislators hear directly from those who care the most. Whether or not you vote in New Hampshire, if you love one of our 1,000 lakes and ponds, our legislators want—and NEED—to hear from you.
Thank you for being a voice for New Hampshire’s lakes,
Andrea LaMoreaux, President and Policy Advocate
SUPPORT Shoreland Protection
HB 1540: Restoring municipal authority over accessory dwelling units in protected shoreland
What it Does
HB 1540 updates New Hampshire’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law to help protect shorelines while still supporting housing options. An ADU is a small, separate living space on the same property as a single-family home—such as an in-law apartment, basement unit, or detached cottage.
The bill focuses on the protected shoreland (land within 250 feet of most lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal waters), where new development is more likely to affect water quality. HB 1540 clarifies that towns may allow detached ADUs in protected shoreland areas, but they are not required to.
This bill responds to a change in state law that took effect July 1, 2025, which requires towns to allow detached ADUs by right (meaning automatically allowing them as long as basic standards are met) anywhere single-family homes are allowed—including within the protected shoreland. Before that change, towns could choose whether to allow detached ADUs.
Why it Matters
The protected shoreland is one of the most critical areas for lake and river health. This natural buffer is the last line of defense, filtering pollution, stabilizing soils, and reducing runoff water before it reaches lakes and rivers.
Automatically allowing ADUs in the protected shoreland could lead to more impervious surfaces, soil compaction, land clearing, and polluted runoff, increasing the risk of water quality impacts.
HB 1540 is a targeted fix that applies only to the protected shoreland. It restores a municipality’s ability to decide whether detached ADUs are appropriate near the water, helping communities balance housing flexibility with the shoreline protections our lakes depend on.
Hearing: Thurs. Jan. 22, 1:30 pm, 1 Granite Place, Room 231
Sign-In Online in Support:
STEP 1: Go to the Online Testimony Submission Form. Fill in your personal information.
STEP 2: Select the date of the hearing: Thurs. Jan. 22
STEP 3: Select Bill
Select the Committee: House Housing
Choose the Bill: 1:30 pm - HB 1540
I am: A member of the public
I’m Representing: Myself
Indicate your position on this Bill: I Support this Bill
STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony
Tell the committee why you support the bill and why they should, too. Upload an attachment or type a few sentences into the space provided.
STEP 5: Submit
OPPOSE this Bill & Ask for a Change
HB 1649: Restricting municipal funding to nonprofit organizations
What it Does
HB 1649 prohibits municipalities from appropriating or spending taxpayer funds through a municipal budget or warrant article to “donate” money to nonprofit organizations. The bill includes an exception for grants or financial assistance awarded through a competitive process and clarifies that nonprofits may still provide services through contracts when the work is quantifiable and verifiable.
Why it Matters
As written, HB 1649 could jeopardize critical funding that supports local lake management, restoration, and protection programs. Local lake associations are nonprofit organizations, and many rely on essential municipal appropriations approved through warrant articles or budget lines to carry out lake protection and management work that benefits the entire community.
That support helps fund on-the-ground efforts such as water quality monitoring, lake restoration projects, and aquatic invasive species prevention, monitoring, and management—services that most municipalities lack the staff capacity or technical expertise to provide. Because this work is often volunteer-driven and doesn’t always fit neatly into traditional procurement and bidding models, eliminating this funding pathway could force lake associations to scale back or even discontinue lake protection and management programs that communities depend on.
Why NH LAKES Opposes this Bill
NH LAKES supports transparency and accountability for taxpayer funds, but HB 1649 needs a workable path for mission-aligned nonprofit partnerships that provide a clear public benefit. We urge the committee to amend the bill to allow municipalities to appropriate funds to nonprofits through a warrant article or budget item when the public purpose is clearly stated, and basic accountability is required, including a written agreement, recordkeeping, and a public accounting of how funds were spent.
Hearing: Fri. Jan. 23, 11:00 am, 1 Granite Place, Room 154
Sign-In Online in Opposition and Request an Amendment:
STEP 1: Go to the Online Testimony Submission Form. Fill in your personal information.
STEP 2: Select the date of the hearing: Friday, January 23
STEP 3: Select Bill
Select the Committee: House Municipal and County Government
Choose the Bill: 11:00 am - HB 1649
I am: A member of the public
I’m Representing: Myself
Indicate your position on this Bill: I Oppose this Bill
STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony
Tell the committee your personal story of why you oppose the bill. Then ask them to amend the bill so that it allows towns to continue working with trusted nonprofits while ensuring public dollars are used responsibly and accounted for clearly. Upload an attachment or type a few sentences into the space provided.
STEP 5: Submit
OPPOSE this Bill
HB 1655-FN: Establishing a funding source for maintaining state-owned dams
What it DoesHB 1655 would create a new funding source for maintaining state-owned dams by charging annual fees on properties that benefit from waterbodies impounded by those dams. Under the proposed Shorefront Property Fee, municipalities would assess $100 per year for properties with waterfront access and $50 per year for properties with deeded water access, with all revenue directed to the state’s Dam Maintenance Fund. The bill is expected to generate about $3 million annually.
Why It MattersNH LAKES understands that New Hampshire needs a sustainable, long-term funding solution for dam maintenance. State-owned dams support lake levels on Squam, Sunapee, Newfound, Winnisquam, Winnipesaukee, and many other lakes, and they help protect downstream communities from flooding.
Why NH LAKES Opposes this BillWhile HB 1655 is estimated to raise about $3 million per year, the state’s dam program needs closer to $16 million annually to keep up with ongoing operation, maintenance, and repair needs.
NH LAKES recognizes the work lawmakers have done over many years to study dam funding and explore solutions. But HB 1655 places too much of the responsibility on waterfront property owners, rather than creating a fair, statewide approach that reflects the many groups who benefit from state-owned dams.
We urge lawmakers to continue working on this issue and to work with a broad range of stakeholders to develop a stable, equitable funding solution that matches the scale of need and protects New Hampshire’s lakes, communities, and local economies.
Hearing: Wed. Jan. 21, 10:45 am, 1 Granite Place, Room 228
Sign-In Online in Opposition:
STEP 1: Go to the Online Testimony Submission Form. Fill in your personal information.
STEP 2: Select the date of the hearing: Wednesday, January 21
STEP 3: Select Bill
Select the Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development
Choose the Bill: 10:45am - HB 1655
I am: A member of the public
I’m Representing: Myself
Indicate your position on this Bill: I Oppose this Bill
STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony
Tell the committee your personal story of why you oppose the bill. Encourage the committee to direct lawmakers to keep working toward a stable, equitable funding solution that better matches the scale of need and protects New Hampshire’s lakes, communities, and local economies.
STEP 5: Submit
HELPFUL RESOURCES