Senate Votes June 3 on Wild Goose Access; Hearing on Pheasant Rule

WILD GOOSE UPDATE:
SENATE VOTES JUNE 3 ON SUNAPEE LAKE ACCESS STUDY COMMITTEE

CONCORD, N.H. – On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, the N.H. State Senate will vote on an amendment to House Bill 45, which would establish a study committee of legislators to further review the need and costs related to the proposal of the N.H. Fish and Game Department to construct a public boat ramp on the former Wild Goose property on Lake Sunapee in Newbury.

Recent background: On May 28, the State Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee voted to send the amended bill forward to the full Senate. The committee approved the portion of the proposed amendment that would establish a study committee. It voted against adding a provision to establish a moratorium on proceedings for permits required for such boat ramp.

More information about the Wild Goose project — designed to provide a free, safe, user-friendly public boating access site at Lake Sunapee — can be found on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website at http://www.wildnh.com/access/wildgoose.

Following is an excerpt from the May 28, 2009, N.H. Senate Calendar (http://gencourt.state.nh.us/scaljourns/calendars/2009/sc%2026.html) with the specific language of the amendment to HB 45 being considered by the Senators on June 3:

AMENDMENT TO HB 45

Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:

AN ACT relative to the water supply land conservation program and establishing a committee to study a proposal by the fish and game department to construct a certain boat ramp.

Amend the bill by inserting after section 3 the following and renumbering the original section 4 to read as 9:

4 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the need and costs related to the proposal of the fish and game department to construct a public boat ramp on the former Wild Goose property located on Lake Sunapee in Newbury.

5 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom shall be from the resources, recreation and development committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, at least one of whom shall be from the energy, environment and economic development committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

6 Duties. The committee shall study the need and costs related to a proposal by the fish and game department to construct a public boat ramp on the former Wild Goose property located on Lake Sunapee in Newbury. Areas of study shall include, but not be limited to:
I. Environmental impacts on the shoreland and public drinking water supplies.
II. Alternatives to the project as currently proposed.
III. Land use planning considerations.
IV. Public safety and traffic issues.
V. Local municipal concerns.

7 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

8 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2009.

2009-1986s
AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill:

I. Expands the eligibility for water supply land conservation grants to future sources of public drinking water and broadens the definition of grantees to include non-profit land trust organizations.

II. Establishes a committee to study a proposal by the fish and game department to construct a certain boat ramp.

Energy, Environment and Economic Development
May 28, 2009
2009-1983s
01/09

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HEARING ON PHEASANT HUNTING RULES JUNE 15, 2009

Sandra Falicon: (60… CONTACT: Karen Bordeau: 603-744-5470; Mark Ellingwood: 603-271-2461; Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
May 29, 2009

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on proposed wildlife rules on Monday, June 15, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. The proposal would increase the pheasant hunting license fee from $15 to $25. It also would allow sporting clubs to apply for a sporting club youth pheasant event permit for the purpose of teaching safe hunting practices and promoting New Hampshire’s hunting heritage. The youth pheasant event permit would allow a sporting club to possess and release pheasants solely for conducting these events. The rules specify the criteria and conditions for applying for and conducting an event, as well as for participating.

The complete rulemaking notice forms, with original and proposed rule language, may be found at http://www.wildnh.com/Legislative/Notices_summary.htm.

Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by June 25, 2009. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (reference “Comment on Pheasant Rules” in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

A total of 6,434 pheasant hunting licenses were sold in New Hampshire in 2008. To learn more about pheasant hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_pheasant.htm.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.WildNH.com.