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Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance
01-10-2022, 09:27 AM
Dear Friends of the Lake,

Last Friday (1/7/22) we received an urgent message regarding the status of HB1066 from State Representative and sponsor Rosemarie Rung. The passage of this bill will establish a cyanobacteria study commission to investigate and analyze the environmental and human and animal health impacts relating to cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire water bodies. For the first time, various experts from state to local officials would collaborate to address the threat of cyanobacteria and make recommendations for how to mitigate this growing threat.

The bill is scheduled for a public hearing before the House Resources Recreation and Development Committee on Wednesday, January 12 at 1:45 pm in Concord, NH at the Legislative Office Building Room 305. Click Here (http://gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1146&type=4) to view the bill text.

Cyanobacteria blooms have been documented at an increasing rate over the last few years across all of NH waterbodies. There have been 6 state health advisories issued to various waterbodies in the Winnipesaukee watershed since 2019. This past summer we received a multitude of reported cyanobacteria sightings from various locations around the lake. Click Here (https://www.winnipesaukee.org/news-events/weekly-report-winni-bloom-watch-map/) to view our list of observations and advisories.

This is a concern, not only for the ecosystem, but also for human health. Some forms of cyanobacteria produce and store toxins, which are released when their cells die. The health concerns associated range in severity from skin irritation to central nervous system damage.

As stewards and supporters of our beautiful lake and surrounding watershed, please consider using your voice to support HB1066 with a public support letter or email. Your personal testimony should include your name and address, your concerns and observations, and a recommendation that HB 1066 passes.

Emails can be sent to:
HouseResourcesRecreationandDevelopment@leg.state.n h.us.

Letters can be mailed to: NH House of Representatives, Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, Legislative Office Building, Room 305, Concord NH 03301.

Thank You,

Bree Rossiter
Conservation Program Manager
Lake Winnipesaukee Association
(603) 581-6632

Descant
01-10-2022, 11:02 AM
I have sent the following rfemarks to RR & D Chair Renzullo.
Chairman Renzullo,

I cannot attend the public hearing on HB1066, so I ask that the following remarks be entered into the hearing record.

Cyanobacteria is an immediate and serious issue confronting the health of our lakes and those who use them for water supply and recreation.
HB1066 calls for a commission to study this and report by November 1, 2026.

Waiting for a report in 2026, and legislation in 2027 with effective dates in 2028 is a bad process for an issue that should be resolved without delay.

I urge the RR & D Committee to take this bill into Interim Study so it can be reported out in November 2022 with resulting legislation, and possible budget action, in 2023.

Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance
01-10-2022, 02:34 PM
Thank You! In addition to writing an email or letter, we also recommend submitting your support through the NH House of Rep Website:

Step One: Click Here (http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx) for Remote Testimony
Step Two: Select Date of Hearing (Jan 12)
Step Three: Select Committee (House Resources, Recreation and Development)
Step Four: Select Bill (HB1066)
Step Five: Select I am: (Member of the Public)
Step Six: Select who you are representing

Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance
01-11-2022, 09:55 AM
Check out this article on the front page of the Daily Sun this morning:

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news/local/cyanobacteria-blooms-and-worries-spark-a-state-commission/article_3a14c60a-7258-11ec-a5f8-bf96873deba7.html

Descant
01-12-2022, 04:08 PM
I listened to the public hearing this afternoon. After the prime sponsor introduced the bill, there was testimony from Groups like NHDES, NHLAKES, NH Rivers Council, LWA. Nobody testified as an individual from the public. Nobody testified in opposition. I hope the committee got the idea that some immediate action should be taken, not just study for 4 years.