IV. Summary and Recommendations
The Exeter River supports a variety of significant state and local resources. To better protect and manage these resources, the Department of Environmental Services recommends the following actions:
Recommendation 1: The General Court should adopt legislation which designates the Exeter River into the Rivers Management and Protection Program and classifies the Exeter River as a "rural river" from its headwaters at the NH Route 102 bridge crossing in Chester 32 miles to the base of the Great Dam in Exeter.
Under the provisions of the protection measures in RSA Chapter 483, a rural designation will provide increased protection for the river against new dam construction, damaging channel alterations, water quality impairment, and the siting of solid waste facilities in the river corridor. A designation will also require the establishment of protected instream flow levels to maintain the minimum amount of water in the river that is necessary to safeguard public trust resources, including water quality, fisheries, recreation and scenic values. A Local River Management Advisory Committee will be established to coordinate local issues related to the protection and management of the river and will provide residents with a direct avenue for formal input into state decisions that affect the river. Finally, a designation will result in the development of a long-range management plan for the river that coordinates state planning and management of fisheries, water quality and quantity, and recreation.
A "rural river" classification is recommended for the entire Exeter River. Under RSA Chapter 483, rural rivers are defined as "those rivers or segments adjacent to lands which are partially or predominantly used for agriculture, forest management and dispersed or clustered residential development. Some instream structures may exist, including low dams, diversion works and other minor modifications." Although some individuals recommended either rural-community or community classification for the segment of the river in downtown Exeter, the overwhelming majority of the Exeter River is clearly rural in character and the Department and the Rivers Management Advisory Committee have determined that the river and its corridor best meet the definition of a rural river.
The designation of the Exeter River as a "rural river" under the Rivers Management and Protection Program will clearly express the intent of the General Court with regard to the protection and management of the river and will focus attention on the river as a natural resource of both statewide and local significance. This attention will help to insure greater scrutiny of plans or proposals which have the potential to significantly alter or destroy those river values and characteristics which qualify the Exeter River for designation.
Recommendation 2: The towns of Chester, Sandown, Danville, Fremont, Raymond, Brentwood, and Exeter should continue to work toward the protection of the Exeter River through the adoption and implementation of local river corridor management plans.
While a state designation will improve the protection and management of the river itself, continuing local efforts will be needed to address the use and conservation of the river corridor. A growing recognition by local citizens of the Exeter River's valuable contribution to the overall quality of life in their communities is evidenced by their desire to see it designated into the state program. Citizen appreciation and concern for the river should be reflected in the decisions and actions of local officials. The Department of Environmental Services will provide technical assistance to the local river management advisory committee and local officials in the bordering towns on the development of local river corridor management plans, including comprehensive shoreland protections ordinances.
In summary, the establishment of a clear policy and specific instream protection measures by the General Court, and a continuing commitment on the part of local governments and residents to protect and manage the river corridor through sound land use decisions will ensure that the outstanding resources of the Exeter River will "endure as part of the river uses to be enjoyed by New Hampshire people."