We write on behalf of several thousand people who vote, own property and vacation in NH — we are committed to balancing New Hampshire’s natural resources and economic interests. NCABC endorses HB 177 to protect all State Parks with a 2-mile buffer from new landfill development. This is a bi-partisan, common sense bill for the common good. Here are just a few points to support the Ought to Pass/A vote on April 9.
5 good reasons HB 177 OUGHT TO PASS as Amended
1. Putting a landfill right next to a state park is terrible economic policy. New Hampshire thrives on tourism. It is the lifeblood of our economy. Fresh air and clean water in and around our state parks are a huge draw for visitors and residents alike. NH’s own Commissioner of Business & Economic Affairs is concerned about putting a mega-dump right next to a state park. For the sake of our state’s economy, are we really going to let this happen?
2. The threat could be to any state park in or near your district. Today, it is a state park in Dalton. A vote for HB177 will help protect all of NH’s state parks from landfill encroachment. Doesn’t that sound right?
3. The NH Department of Environmental Services is well-meaning but… DES agrees its guidelines for evaluating landfill permits are outdated. Their regulations cannot protect any state park from a landfill being built on its border — no matter the high value and environmental sensitivity of that park. But HB 177 can protect all our parks from nearby landfill impacts.
4. HB177 is not a perfect piece of legislation, but when is the last time the NH House was presented with a perfect bill? While it’s not perfect, it is pretty good: it’s a needed legislative fix for a regulatory gap, it’s certainly timely, it’s simple. It has bi-partisan support, it will be effective, and it serves the noble purpose of protecting NH’s state parks.
5. The sky is not falling… opponents of HB177 argue that, if it is enacted, effective solid waste management in NH will come to an abrupt halt. In fact, there is plenty of available solid waste capacity now; if and when additional capacity is needed, there are lots of sites that are orders of magnitude better than beside a state park.
Thank you for considering your own and your many constituents’ state park experiences alongside our letter. We believe HB 177 is essential to preserving the outstanding legacy of NH’s state parks. It is also an excellent opportunity to collaborate across the aisle.
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On April 9th, please vote to overturn the ITL on HB177, then vote Yes OTP/A.
Sincerely,
North Country Alliance for Balanced Change Board of Directors
Sarah Doucette
Gary Ghioto
Erik Johnson
Mary Menzies
Wayne Morrison
Tom Tower
Stephen Walker
Eliot Wessler