The New Hampshire Dredge Management Task Force (DMTF) is an interagency work group formed in 1993 to review existing and proposed dredging projects and to develop policies, rules and guidelines for dredging activities in New Hampshire’s coastal waters. The DMTF provides technical and regulatory expertise to ensure that dredging projects are conducted in a manner consistent with state and federal rules and regulations.
Regular participants in the DMTF include the Department of Environmental Services New Hampshire Coastal Program (NHCP), Wetlands Bureau and Waste Management Division; the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department; Pease Development Authority - Division of Ports and Harbors; US Army Corps of Engineers; US Environmental Protection Agency; National Marine Fisheries Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service; University of New Hampshire; and New Hampshire Congressional staff.
The DMTF is currently reviewing a number of proposed projects, including maintenance dredging of a portion of the channel of the Piscataqua River known as the “Simplex Shoal”, widening the uppermost turning basin in the Piscataqua River, maintenance dredging of the commercial anchorages in Hampton/Seabrook Harbor, maintenance dredging of the Hampton Harbor entrance channel, and maintenance dredging of Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth. The DMTF is also working to identify potential onshore and offshore sites to accommodate New Hampshire's future dredge material disposal needs.
Recently completed projects reviewed by the DMTF include the Cocheco River maintenance dredging project in Dover, the Seabrook Harbor/River Street shoreline erosion control demonstration project, dredging of the U.S. Coast Guard basin in New Castle, and dredging of the Phillips-Exeter Academy docking facilities on the Squamscott River in Exeter.
The Coastal Program currently chairs the DMTF and meetings are generally held bimonthly at the DES Pease field office in Portsmouth. DMFT meetings are open to the public. For additional information or questions regarding the DMTF, please contact Christian Williams, DMTF chair, at (603) 559-0025 or christian.williams@des.nh.gov.
The next meeting of the DMTF will be held on September 5, 2012 at 1:30 PM at the Coastal Program's Pease Field Office at 222 International Drive, Suite 175, Portsmouth.
Past DMFT Meeting Minutes and Presentations
- Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors 2011 Annual Dredge Report
- Cocheco River Maintenance Dredging Project Overview
- NH Comprehensive Upland Dredge Material Disposal Study (Phase I), US Army Corps of Engineers, September 2005
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