One of the most common questions we get in the process of permitting docking is: "What difference does it make if I have a permament dock instead of a seasonal one?" This especially happens when we tell people they must build seasonal. The subject of this thread is in fact a large part of the resoan that seasonal docks are "default" dock type and anything more requires proof of need.
Chapter Env-Wt 400 which regulates dock construction begis as follows:
PART Env-Wt 401 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND EVALUATION
Env-Wt 401.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public trust and other interests of the state of New Hampshire, by:
(a) Establishing requirements for the design and construction of structures in order to prevent unreasonable encroachment on surface waters of the State; (emphasis added)
(b) Preserving the integrity of the surface waters of the state by requiring all structures to be constructed so as to insure safe navigation, minimize alterations in prevailing currents, minimize the reduction of water area available for public use, avoid impacts that would be deleterious to fish and wildlife habitat, and avoid impacts that might cause erosion to abutting properties; and (emphasis added)
(c) Ensuring that all projects are constructed using the least impacting alternatives, in a manner that meets the requirements of RSA 483-B and shoreline and bank alteration or stabilization requirements.
Any time a permit is issued for a permanent pier we understand that there is a possiblity and aquatherm will be installed also. (Environmental Services does not regulate the aquatherm; only the dock construction.) Part of the reasoning for installing a season dock is that because it is removed for the winter no aquatherm is needed and there will be less of a "reduction of water area available for public use."