Lake groups back bill letting towns limit ADUs in 250‑foot shoreland areas

Representative David Frackt introduced HB 15‑40 as a narrowly targeted bill to let municipalities regulate accessory dwelling units in the 250‑foot shoreland buffer around public water bodies, citing septic capacity, vegetated buffers and stormwater as site‑specific concerns that DES standards may not fully address for every lake.

Lake Sunapee Protective Association executive director Elizabeth Harper and New Hampshire Lakes urged the committee to allow towns to adopt preventive septic maintenance and shoreland‑protection measures in addition to the state Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act. Harper said some towns already require septic inspection and pumping schedules in shoreland areas and that the ADU language passed last year constrained those local actions.

Supporters argued local knowledge and modest preventative measures (e.g., routine septic inspection and pump‑out schedules) can avert nutrient inputs that trigger cyanobacteria blooms. Multiple lake association witnesses described recent blooms and local ordinances requiring inspections or pumping cycles as examples of effective local practice.

Opponents and some committee members urged clarity about the interplay between DES statewide standards and municipal ordinances and suggested a DES standard for minimum protection with a local opt‑in for stricter rules.

Why it matters: Shoreland water quality supports tourism, property values and public health. Municipal discretion in this zone could prevent water quality degradation but also change where ADUs can be placed.

What’s next: Chair announced a subcommittee to examine the DES standards, local practices and possible language to ensure statewide minimums while allowing local targeted protections.