Fish and Game Department

Transcription

1 Fish and Game Department Mission - As guardian of the state s fish, wildlife and marine resources, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to: Conserve, manage and protect those resources and their habitats; Inform and educate the public about those resources; Provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate those resources.

2 Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes Management of fish and wildlife resources: Inland Fisheries Management Program Fisheries Habitat Program Wildlife Management Program Wildlife Habitat Program Enforcement of fish, wildlife and boating safety laws and regulations: Conservation Law Enforcement Boating Safety Enforcement

3 Agency Responsibilities Regarding Lakes Educate the public about fish and wildlife resources; Provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate those resources: Aquatic Resources Education Program Let s Get the Lead Out Education Program Let s Go Fishing Program Statewide Public Boat Access Program Development of public boating access areas on public waters

4 Lakes Management Criteria: I.a.:.: Water quality shall not be degraded from existing water quality standards established in RSA 485-A. 1996: Historically, Conservation Officers did issue cease and desist d orders in the field. 2010: Conservation Officers no longer issue cease and desist orders but will provide the Department of Environmental Services with water quality violations by notifying DES when problems are observed. 1996: The department issues approximately 425 permits for fishing tournaments each year; some of these tournaments occur on the same day and at the same location. 2010: Fish and Game recommends deleting as tournaments are not scheduled on the same day at the same location. 1996: Increased boating traffic and the continuous launching of boats such as at a fishing tournament may create significant wave action and turbidity at the t launch site. 2010: Fish and Game recommends deleting as this has never been documented as an issue and is no different than a typical usage at launch facilities. ies.

5 Lakes Management Criteria: I.b.:.: Potential sources of pollution, whether point or non-point sources deriving from activity on the lake, shall be managed in such a way w as to minimize their adverse impact on water quality. No significant adverse impact on water quality shall be permitted. 2010: Fish and Game operates six fish hatcheries which have been n issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for waste water quality monitoring. There are no discharges directly to any lake.

6 Lakes Management Criteria: I.c.:.: The environment for wildlife, particularly waterfowl and aquatic life shall be maintained or improved. 1996: The department is responsible for the management and enforcement of laws pertaining to wildlife. 1996: The department is responsible for managing fish and wildlife ife resources of the state. 1996: The NH Fish and Game Department is responsible for monitoring bait species brought into the state from outside sources.

7 Lakes Management Criteria: I.d.i.. The use of lakes and their drainage areas for flood protection shall be recognized and protected. I.d.ii: : The use of lakes as public drinking water supplies shall be recognized and protected. I.d.iii: : The flowage rights on lakes shall be recognized and protected. None specific to Fish and Game

8 Lakes Management Criteria: I.e: : Public access shall be provided and maintained appropriate to suitable uses of the lakes. 1996: The General Court often considers legislation which would grant the NH Fish and Game Department's Statewide Public Boat Access Program the authority to construct public access facilities on public drinking water supplies. The regulators of these suppliers may have been granted avoidance of filtration requirements by DES because "controlling activities" have been implemented. 2010: Fish and Game recommends deleting as this has been addressed by RSA 233-A:11 Public Water Supply. No public boat access area or privately owned or maintained boat access area shall be constructed to any public waters which serve as a public water supply s for a public or private water utility company, without the approval of the department of environmental services, prior consultation with the public water access advisory board, as provided in RSA 485:23-a, and notification to the public utilities commission for any water utility under its jurisdiction. Source. 1992, 265: , 224:1, eff.. Aug. 9, 1996.

9 Lakes Management Criteria: I.f: : Recreational uses of lakes shall be consistent with the carrying capacity and valued characteristics of each lake. Recreational uses shall provide the opportunity for the safe enjoyment of a variety of lake experiences within the state as a whole. None specific to Fish and Game

10 Number of Employees dedicated to Lake Related Work 48 Conservation Officer Positions (42 currently filled) 10 Deputy Conservation Officers 9 Fisheries Biologists 2 Wildlife Biologists 1 Ecologist 1 Program Coordinator Boat Access

11 Current and Critical Topics Conservation Law Enforcement: Use and Sale of Lead Fishing Tackle Use of Lead Shot for Waterfowl Hunting Fisheries and Wildlife Management: Lake Level Draw-downs in the Fall Non-point Source Pollution Management and control of aquatic nuisance species Modifications to shallow-water water habitat, shorelines and riparian vegetative cover. Public Boat Access: Access to Large Lakes

12 Current Projects Regarding Lakes Fisheries Management Projects: Fisheries Habitat Surveys Lake Trout Population Assessment Landlocked Salmon Population Assessment Rainbow Smelt Population Assessment Forage Fish Population Assessment Warm-water Fish Population Assessment Cold-water Fish Population Assessment Implementation of Wildlife Action Plan: Lake Classification and Condition Analysis with The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

13 Current Projects Regarding Lakes Statewide Public Boat Access Program: Ossipee Lake (via Pine River) Boat Access Project Merrymeeting Lake Boat Access Project Sunapee Lake Boat Access Project Partnership with NH Lakes Association on Lake Hosts Program (14 Boat Access Sites)