V. Summary and Recommendations
The Isinglass 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 that designates the Isinglass River into the Rivers Management and Protection Program and classifies the Isinglass River as follows:
1. As a "rural river" in the Town of Stafford from the outflow of Bow Lake Dam to immediately downstream of the Route 202A bridge, a distance of 0.54 miles
2.As a "natural river" from immediately downstream of the Route 202A bridge in the Town of Strafford to immediately upstream of the Route 126 bridge in the Town of Barrington, a distance of 5.75 miles.
3. As a "rural river" from immediately upstream of the Route 126 bridge in the Town of Barrington, to the confluence with the Cocheco River in the City of Rochester, a distance of 11.64 miles.
Under the provisions of RSA 483, designation of the river will provide increased protection against the construction of new dams, damaging channel alterations, water quality impairment, and the siting of solid and hazardous waste facilities in the river corridor. A local river management advisory committee will be established to coordinate management and protection of the river at the local and regional levels, and will provide the residents in the riverfront communities with a direct avenue for formal input into state decisions affecting the river. Finally, 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.
The upper and lower reach of the Isinglass River from the outlet of Bow Lake to immediately downstream of the route 202A bridge in the Town of Strafford and from immediately upstream of the Route 126 bridge in the Town of Barrington to the confluence with the Cocheco River in the City of Rochester are being recommended for "rural river" classification. Rural rivers are defined under RSA 483 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." The Isinglass River, as it flows through these sections travels under numerous bridges and a combination of extensive forested uplands and wetlands, limited commercial development, and scattered residential housing. The result is a predominantly undeveloped section of river that clearly meets the definition of a rural river.
The middle reach of the Isinglass River from immediately downstream of the Route 202A bridge in the Town of Strafford to immediately upstream of the Route 126 bridge in the Town of Barrington is being recommended for "natural river" classification. Natural rivers are defined under RSA 483 as".free-flowing rivers or segments characterized by the high quality of natural and scenic resources. River shorelines are in primarily natural vegetation and river corridors are generally undeveloped.Development, if any, is limited to forest management and scattered housing." The lack of development, free flowing nature of the river, wetland complexes, and undisturbed riparian land that exists through this section clearly meets the requirements of this classification.
Recommendation 2: The municipalities of Strafford, Barrington, and Rochester should work together toward the protection of the Isinglass River through the adoption and implementation of a local river corridor management plan.
While legislative designation of the Isinglass River will improve the protection and management of the river itself, continuing efforts at the local level are needed to address the use and conservation of the river corridor. A growing recognition by local citizens and officials of the Isinglass River's valuable contribution to the overall quality of life in their communities is evidenced by their desire to see it designated into the RMPP. 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 to the local officials in the riverfront communities on the development and implementation of a local river corridor management plan.
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 Isinglass River will endure as part of the river uses to be enjoyed by the people of New Hampshire.