Proposed HB 383 Ammending Shoreland Protection Act

Belkin · 04-28-2007, 12:40 PM

Does anyone have any opinions regarding the ammendments to the Shoreland Protection Act contained in HB 383? I have heard that it has passed in the house and will be going to the senate. It does clarify some things (like the fact that you can trim your shrubs within limits). It does, however make it more difficult or impossible to remove trees within 50 feet of the shore if there are not already a lot of trees there. It also can provide significant limits on the amount of driveway coverage, even if the driveway is unpaved or covered with crushed stone. And if I read it literally, it makes it illegal to pick up a stone, dead stick, leaf or pine needle from within 50 feet of the shore and remove it. Is anyone concerned by this?

Below are a few excerpts from HB 383.

(C) No natural ground cover shall be removed unless removal is specifically approved by the department, pursuant to RSA 482-A.

X-a. “Natural ground cover” means any herbaceous plant or any woody seedling or shrub less than 3 feet in height. Natural ground cover shall also include naturally occurring leaf or needle litter, stumps, decaying woody debris, stones, and boulders. Natural ground cover shall not include lawns, invasive species as listed by the department of agriculture, markets and food in accordance with RSA 430:53, III or exempted by the department of environmental services in accordance with RSA 487:16-a, imported organic or stone mulches, or other artificial materials.

04-28-2007, 12:40 PM	#1
Belkin Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Proposed HB 383 Ammending Shoreland Protection Act Does anyone have any opinions regarding the ammendments to the Shoreland Protection Act contained in HB 383? I have heard that it has passed in the house and will be going to the senate. It does clarify some things (like the fact that you can trim your shrubs within limits). It does, however make it more difficult or impossible to remove trees within 50 feet of the shore if there are not already a lot of trees there. It also can provide significant limits on the amount of driveway coverage, even if the driveway is unpaved or covered with crushed stone. And if I read it literally, it makes it illegal to pick up a stone, dead stick, leaf or pine needle from within 50 feet of the shore and remove it. Is anyone concerned by this? Below are a few excerpts from HB 383. (C) No natural ground cover shall be removed unless removal is specifically approved by the department, pursuant to RSA 482-A. X-a. “Natural ground cover” means any herbaceous plant or any woody seedling or shrub less than 3 feet in height. Natural ground cover shall also include naturally occurring leaf or needle litter, stumps, decaying woody debris, stones, and boulders. Natural ground cover shall not include lawns, invasive species as listed by the department of agriculture, markets and food in accordance with RSA 430:53, III or exempted by the department of environmental services in accordance with RSA 487:16-a, imported organic or stone mulches, or other artificial materials.