The Oyster River Nominated for designation under the NH Rivers Management and Protection Program
Nominating organization: Thanks to: A grant from: Special thanks to: Laura Weit-Marcum Acting Rivers Coordinator (NHDES, RMPP) Kyle Pimental GIS/Communications Technician (SRPC) All stakeholders and partners that provided technical and editorial assistance
What is being proposed?
Why the Oyster River? Significant natural resources are associated with the Oyster River Rapid urban development in Seacoast; water use increasing Environmental quality of NH estuaries is declining No formal cross town body to address water issues within the watershed
Outstanding Features
Drinking Water River is one of two surface water sources for Durham and UNH Third source: a well, adjacent to Oyster River All sources together meet mean demand of 800,000 gallons per day Value as water source recognized by town zoning and UNH land use
Tributary of Great Bay System Oyster River Great Bay (Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership)
Tributary of Great Bay System Great Bay Estuary threatened by nitrogen pollution Critical to maintain high water quality in tributaries Environmental standards in place at the local level vary greatly, and are generally inadequate to address the pressing environmental threats to the water resources of the area. Derek Sowers Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
Pristine Floodplains Hundreds of acres Critical habitat for upland and aquatic plants and animals Serve important flood control function
Wildlife Resources Taxonomic group Number of species known for watershed Likely additions Mammals 48 16 Birds 93 50 Trees 28? Shrubs 34? Herbs >70 >100
Rare Animal Species Least Bittern Blanding's Turtle Spotted Turtle Wood Turtle Osprey cws Ringed Bog Haunter New England Cottontail Gold Winged Warbler Vesper Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Maine Audubon necottontail.com nrcs
Fish BROOK LAMPREY Endangered or threatened: American brook lamprey (S2) Bridled shiner (S3) Species of concern: 7 More than any other river in the state BRIDLED SHINER Native brook trout Blueback herring Anadromous REDFIN PICKEREL
Exemplary Natural Communities Atlantic White cedar swamp Black Spruce Poor Fen Herbaceous Seepage Marsh Hemlock Beech Oak Pine Forest Red Maple Floodplain Forest
Scientific and Educational Value Adjacent to UNH campus Used extensively in dozens of UNH classes, hundreds of students per year Research projects
Water Monitoring Program Partnership: DES (VRAP), UNH, ORWA Since 2001 12 14 sites, sampled 6 8 times per year 10 15 volunteers/year Has identified human impacts
History of Protection Tamposi Water Supply Reserve, Barrington Land protection in Durham, Lee, Madbury NRCS restoration in Lee RMPP DESIGNATION WOULD MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING LAND AND WATER PROTECTION EFFORTS!
Tamposi Water Supply Reserve 1400 acres including Oyster River headwaters Purchased, in part, with a grant from NH DES Water Supply Protection Program
Community Support
Community Support Survey of riverfront land owners 158 sent 21% responded 68% have owned their property for 10 yrs. or more
Community Support Landowners: Importance of river characteristics
Community Support Landowners:
Community Support Action: Interest:
Community Support Barrington Durham Lee Madbury UNH/Durham Board of Selectmen Planning Board Conservation Commission Town of Durham Conservation Commission Planning Board Conservation Commission Board of Selectmen Board of Selectmen Water Resources Board Conservation Commission Water System
Community Support New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership Strafford County Conservation District The Nature Conservancy Great Bay Trout Unlimited Coastal Conservation Association of NH Strafford Rivers Conservancy Gundalow Company
Conclusion Oyster River has many unique features Threatened by urbanization No formal inter town communication about the river Much already done to protect the river Designation would improve communication, maximize effectiveness of what has been done