The following is from Jack Kutner of Save Lake Sunapee Watershed (SLSW) a group of concerned residents who want to find solutions to protect the quality of all streams, ponds, and lakes in Newbury, Sunapee, New London, and Springfield, New Hampshire. It was shared with us by NH LAKES.
This past year’s state legislative session netted three modest pro-lake/watershed laws. Let’s me thankful for the progress and bank the wins:
- The first of these new laws bans the sale of ski, boat, and board waxes containing PFAS. These harmful “forever chemicals” don’t break down and have been found in our lakes and drinking water.
- The second law prohibits the dumping of yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings, into surface waters, reducing a source of nutrient pollution that feeds cyanobacteria.
- The third law holds contractors who violate shoreland protection laws accountable, protecting both our lakes and responsible property owners.
- While celebrating these victories for our water resources, we must also ask ourselves: Is the State of New Hampshire doing enough to protect our freshwater lakes and the surrounding watershed resources? The lakes we know and love are under threat. Given the increasing stresses on our lakes, it is appropriate to ask if the response is adequate.
The most visible and publicized challenge is the proliferation of harmful cyanobacteria blooms that arguably have reached epidemic levels. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) tracks reported cyanobacteria outbreaks and issues warnings and watches. DES reports a steady increase over the last ten years and a worrisome spike in the last couple of years.
Why the marked increase of cyanobacteria outbreaks/warnings/watches? First, average water temperatures are rising due to the effects of global warming, and cyanobacteria thrive in warm water. Second, as population and development around our lakes increase, so do the impermeable surfaces (roofs, driveways, patios, etc.). This, in combination with the increase in both the frequency and intensity of rainstorms, increases stormwater runoff into our lakes. The runoff carries pollutants and nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, that create ideal conditions for cyanobacteria growth.
The State of New Hampshire’s response has been lacking. In 2023, the State created the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Fund, which was initially funded with $1 million. An additional $500,000 was contributed from Federal funds. The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance (through loans and grants) to municipalities, community water systems, and nonprofit lake and river associations to help them implement measures aimed at reducing and controlling cyanobacteria blooms.
The fund has been quickly depleted, and despite a record number of blooms reported in 2023 and 2024, no new funding was allocated in this past legislative session, and no source of ongoing funding has been identified. A mitigation fund with no funds!
SLSW advocates action by the towns in our watershed (and the new septic rules enacted by all four towns are evidence of their engagement), but the State owns our lakes and needs to take a leadership role in protecting them. The lack of funding is shortsighted and ignores the long-term costs and economic impact of not addressing this growing problem. We need greater urgency and resources now.
Next year will bring another round of new bills to be debated. It is critical for our collective voice to be heard and for us to communicate a clear message to our legislative representatives about the need for actions to protect the State’s most precious resources.
The shoreland protection act is not being enforced and homeowners are not abiding by the tenets of the law. Sewage tanks are old (at least 20% of existing tanks are 50+ years old on NH lakes). Unfortunately, even if cyano-funds were doubled, it would do little to change the downward trajectory of lake health. Homeowners and associations have to step it up, and I don’t see that happening until it’s too late. A European or Canadian model (ie a fully different approach entirely) of lake stewardship would go a long way towards a good “re-set.” Sighhhhh.
Sorry to have to tell you all this BUT, this is the least of our worries. If you are not familiar with the name, Lee Zeldin you should be. He is the head of the EPA and he is doing his best to gut all of the environmental protections that have been passed in the last 50 years.
He. along with the Trump administration, are trying to eliminate two words from the charter that established the EPA to begin with. Those words are ENDERGEMENT FINDING. That simply translated is that if the EPA found ANYTHING that was a danger to humans or the environment that it could be regulated! By eliminating those two words, from the charter it opens the door for any clean air or clean water regulations to be totally removed! So buckle up people, Global warming is about to get even more harmful to our everyday lives with clean water and clean air to become a thing of the past!