Announcement of Public Input Sessions for Further Development of Alteration of Terrain Administrative Rules

Concord, N.H. – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is evaluating alternatives for revisions to its Alteration of Terrain (AoT) administrative rules to further develop and clarify the consideration of impacts to threatened and endangered species in the AoT permit review process. As part of this process, NHDES will be holding two public input sessions to provide the public with an opportunity to comment and provide suggestions on potential AoT rule language for NHDES consideration. This effort will build upon comments received and issues identified during the recent adoption of administrative rule Env-Wq 1503.19(h) in June 2020. Public input is requested to assist the rule development process.

Areas to further address threatened and endangered species in the AoT rules include, but are not limited to:

    Identifying the appropriate standard for AoT permit review in accordance with statutory requirements.
    Clearly identifying the process for collaboration with other state agencies such as the Natural Heritage Bureau and the Fish and Game Department, while achieving consistent and timely permitting decisions.
    Identifying application requirements related to threatened and endangered species.
    Evaluating approaches for mitigation strategies.

If you are interested in participating in this effort, please plan on attending the first public input session on August 27, 2020, at 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Due to restrictions on public gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public input session will be held via a videoconference platform.

    Joining by Computer (downloading of the WebEx application prior to the meeting is encouraged):
    Meeting/Event link
    Meeting/Event number/Access Code: 160 581 2373
    Password: AOT_2020#1
    Joining by Phone:
    Call in Number: +1-415-655-0001
    Access Code: 160 581 2373

A second public input session will be scheduled in October 2020. As the sessions are intended to build upon each other, participation at both sessions is strongly encouraged.