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New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
PUBLIC GOVERNMENT BUSINESS A to Z LIST

Overview

Introduction
As part the re-licensing agreement for the Fifteen Mile Falls dam on the upper Connecticut River, DES received funding to conduct mercury reduction projects in the Connecticut River Watershed. The impoundment behind the dam has elevated levels of mercury in the fish and therefore part of the settlement agreement included funding to mitigate sources of mercury within the watershed. The State of Vermont also received funding to conduct mercury reduction projects in its segment of the watershed. The work plan, which was approved by a committee of diverse stakeholders, includes various mercury collection and outreach projects described below. In addition to these projects, DES was also able to purchase a mercury analyzer which is a very important tool in the Biology Bureau’s mercury fish sampling program.

Overview
Connecticut River The most effective way to protect human health and the environment from the effects of mercury contamination is to prevent mercury from being released in the first place. The proper collection, handling and recycling of mercury and mercury-containing products can greatly reduce environmental releases. Unfortunately, many people who routinely use mercury or mercury-containing products are unaware of the danger posed by the uncontrolled release of elemental mercury or mercury from the disposal of these products.

DES is reducing the release of mercury to the environment by working with several sectors in the Connecticut River Watershed Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol to collect and recycle mercury and mercury compounds that may otherwise have been released to the environment. DES is performing outreach activities to educate individuals and businesses about the dangers of mercury, promoting proper handling and recycling of mercury containing products to prevent release, and encouraging these sectors to purchase non-mercury alternatives.

 

 

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