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Conservation commission briefs EDAC on Souhegan River trail plans; public warns of habitat and flood constraints
Summary
Conservation officials updated EDAC on a proposed roughly 7‑mile Souhegan River loop and cautioned that private land ownership, flood‑prone sandy banks, Fish and Game lease constraints and state permits limit what can be built. A public commenter noted the river’s protected status and endangered species concerns.
Chris Constantino, a member of Milford’s conservation commission, and public commenters briefed the Economic Development Advisory Council on March 12 about planning for a Souhegan River trail loop and environmental constraints for riverfront projects.
Constantino said a continuous loop is roughly seven miles by road and likely longer as a trail, and that land ownership is predominantly private with some state and town parcels. He warned that the river corridor has soft, sandy banks that move during floods and that bridges and trail infrastructure in some reaches have been damaged by past high water. “We have a picture of a canoe in a tree, about eight feet high,” Constantino said, recounting the 2006–07 floods to illustrate erosion and flood risk.
Conservation members noted the importance of Fish and Game as a potential partner and landowner but said Fish and Game officials are often cautious about formal trails because increased use and dogs can disturb wildlife and hunting resources. The commission has worked under 10‑year renewal leases to use some parcels; Constantino said those renewals have proven difficult and require continued negotiation.
Public commenter Suzanne Fournier, coordinator of Brock’s Environmental Citizens, urged thorough environmental review before any river modifications and reminded the council that the Souhegan River corridor is subject to several state protections. “The river is heavily regulated. It’s also under the Shoreland Protection Act for New Hampshire,” Fournier said, and she pointed EDAC to Department of Environmental Services materials and the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program (RMPP) for background. She noted the presence of habitat for species such as the state‑listed Blanding’s turtle and other sensitive wildlife.
Members discussed engineering and design options that conserve habitat while providing recreation; EDAC participants suggested exploring private funding partnerships where property owners benefit from improved access. Council members agreed the next steps should include mapping ownership, flood‑risk analysis, technical engineering input for durable trail and bridge design and early engagement with Fish and Game and DES to determine permitting needs.
Why it matters: trail and river projects can provide recreation and economic benefits but in many river reaches are constrained by flood dynamics, habitat protection, regulatory permitting and fragmented ownership. EDAC and conservation commission members said thorough technical and regulatory work is needed before committing to major riverfront infrastructure.
Provenance: topicintro — opening comments by Chris Constantino introducing the Sohegan River trail update; topfinish — public comment by Suzanne Fournier with DES and RMPP references.
