Conservation groups tell Senate committee open space protects water, reduces flood and health costs; funding sought for cyanobacteria response

Summary

Advocates presented a multi-organization report to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee outlining economic and ecosystem benefits of New Hampshire open space, warning of rising cyanobacteria blooms, salt increases, and invasive species, and urging renewed funding for a depleted cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant program.

Conservation and water advocates appeared before the New Hampshire Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to present a new report on the value of open space and to press for renewed funding and policy attention to lakes, rivers and dams.

Matt Leahy, public policy director for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and Barbara Richter of the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions told the committee the report, produced jointly by conservation commissions, the Forest Society, The Nature Conservancy, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners, the New Hampshire Land Trust Coalition and other partners, summarizes economic and ecosystem services from protected lands. Leahy said the organizations would send the committee the full report and related materials.

The report ties open space to multiple public benefits. "The outdoor recreation economy accounts for $3,900,000,000 in value added annually to the state," Richter told the committee. She also highlighted flood losses estimated at $200,000,000…

Conservation groups tell Senate committee open space protects water, reduces flood and health costs; funding sought for cyanobacteria response

Summary

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