IV. Summary and Conclusions
The Piscataquog 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 Piscataquog River into the Rivers Management and Protection Program and classifies the Piscataquog River as a "natural river" from the Deering Dam to Abijah Bridge on the North Branch, from the outlets of Scobie Pond to the mouth of the Middle Branch, and from the outlet of Pleasant Pond to NH Highway Route 13 on the South Branch; as a "rural river" from the outlet of Lake Horace Dam to the Everett Dam flowage on the North Branch, from the outlet of Everett Dam to the mouth of the North Branch, and from the NH Highway Route 13 to the mouth of the South Branch; as a "rural-community" river from the confluence with the North Branch to Route 114 in Goffstown, and from below the Gregg Dam in Goffstown to the river's mouth at Bass island in Manchester; and as a "community" river from Route 114 in Goffstown to, and including, the Gregg Dam in Goffstown.
Under the provisions of the protection measure amendments to RSA Chapter 483, a designation will provide increased protection for the river against new dam construction, damaging channel alterations, water quality impairment, and the siting of hazardous and 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 fisheries, water quality, 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 local residents with a direct avenue for formal input to 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.
The North Branch of the Piscataquog from Deering Dam to Abijah Bridge, the Middle Branch from Scobie Pond to the mouth, and the South Branch from the outlet of Pleasant Pond to NH Highway Route 13 is being recommended for a "natural river" classification. Under RSA Chapter 483, natural rivers are defined 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." In these above named sections, the Piscataquog meets these definitions.
The North Branch of the Piscataquog River from the outlet of Lake Horace Dam to the Everett Dam flowage and the outlet of Everett Dam to the mouth of the North Branch, and the South Branch from the NH Highway Route 13 to the mouth of the South Branch is being recommended for classification as a "rural river." Under RSA Chapter 483 rural rivers are "those rivers or segments adjacent to lands which are partially or predominantly used for agriculture, forest management, and dispersed or clustered housing..." In the above named sections, the Piscataquog River meets this definition of a rural river.
A "rural-community river" classification is recommended from the confluence with the North Branch to Route 114 in Goffstown, and from below the Gregg Dam in Goffstown to the river's mouth at Bass Island in Manchester. Under RSA Chapter 483, rural-community rivers are defined as "those rivers or river segments which flow through populated areas of the state and which possess actual or potential resource values. Such rivers have some residential or other building development near their shorelines, are readily accessible by road or railroad, and may include some impoundments or diversions." As the mainstem of the Piscataquog flows into a more populated area mixed with forested areas, it clearly meets the designation of "rural-community."
A "community" river classification is recommended from Route 114 in Goffstown to, and including, the Gregg Dam in Goffstown. Under RSA Chapter 483, community rivers are "those rivers or segments which flow through developed or populated areas of the state and which possess existing or potential community resource values, such as those identified in official municipal plans or land use controls. Such rivers have mixed land uses in the corridor reflecting some combination of open space, agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial land uses. Such rivers are readily accessible by road or railroad, may include existing impoundments or diversions, or potential sites for new impoundments or diversions for hydropower, flood control or water supply purposes, and may include the urban centers for municipalities."
The designation of the Piscataquog River as a "natural," "rural," "rural-community," and "community" 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.
Recommendation 2: The towns of Weare, Francestown, Deering, New Boston, Lyndeborough, Goffstown, and Manchester should continue to work toward the protection of the Piscataquog River through the adoption of local river corridor management plans, including comprehensive shoreland protection ordinances.
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 Piscataquog 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. Upon request, the Department of Environmental Services will provide technical assistance to these towns on the development of local river corridor management plans, including comprehensive shoreland protection 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 Piscataquog River will "endure as part of the river uses to be enjoyed by New Hampshire people."