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Governmental Liaison
GELIA acts on behalf of its members as a government liason with Maine and New Hampshire by monitoring and informing member about issues and legislation of interest to the Great East Lake community. Click for State of Maine Environmental Legislation or the State of NH Environmental Legislation These websites also offer a wide variety of environmental information.
The mission of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is to help sustain a high quality of life for all citizens by protecting and restoring the environment and public health in New Hampshire. Their website contains a large variety of information. Of particular interest in the Water Resources & Quality division are the fact sheets, especially the Shoreland Protection fact sheet.
The focus of the Maine Dept of Environmental Protection is the sustainable quality of Maine's air, land and water. It partners with the federal government to implement national environmental initiatives at the local level. To report a possible violation of the laws administered by the Bureau of Land & Water Quality, call the regional DEP office in Portland - 207-822-6300 or 888-769-1036. Check out the Lakes Resource page.
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Lakes Legislation Weekly - 2/25/10 |
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The following was contributed by: Jared A. Teutsch, President,
New Hampshire Lakes Association
3 Silk Farm Rd., Concord, NH 03301, (603) 226-0299
http://www.nhlakes.org/
On Thursday, March 11th at 10:30 AM, the NH Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation will be holding a hearing on SB 464, permanently establishing a speed limit on Lake Winnipesaukee. This bill would repeal the sunset provision of January 1, 2011, and permanently establish a speed limit on Lake Winnipesaukee of 45 mph during the day and 25 mph at night. NH LAKES supports the bill because speed limits on our lakes encourage more recreational users, especially families, to enjoy our public waterbodies. The bill will also hopefully encourage more tourists to the Lakes Region and help the local economy. ACTION: Please Contact Your Senator and tell him/her how important a 45 mph/25mph speed limit on Lake Winnipesaukee is to (1) public safety, (2) fairness for all lake users and (3) economics. Also, please attend the hearing on March 11th at 10:30 AM! We need you there for support to get this bill through the Senate! We are a family-friendly tourist state and we want to keep it that way!
Unfortunately, this past Thursday, February 18th, the NH House Environment and Agriculture Committee voted Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 1299 as amended. Although the Committee agreed with the intent of the bill, they felt that more information was needed before establishing a complete ban on the sale and distribution of residential lawn fertilizers. NH LAKES is committed to this issue – look for our summer phosphorus awareness campaign – Don’t put ‘P’ in the lake.
I will continue to provide the link to your legislators: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/whosmyleg/
Please visit our website at www.nhlakes.org regularly for the latest information. |
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Lakes Legislation Weekly - 9/16/09 |
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The following was contributed by: Jared A. Teutsch, President,
New Hampshire Lakes Association
3 Silk Farm Rd., Concord, NH 03301, (603) 226-0299
http://www.nhlakes.org/
The 2009 legislative session officially wrapped up after the first week of July. In the end, NH LAKES’ legislative proposals were successful and added several much needed protections to our state’s public water bodies.
Restricting Phosphorus Levels in Automatic Dishwasher Detergents (HB 350) – signed into law!
- Prohibits the sale and distribution of household cleaning products containing phosphorus, specifically targeting automatic dishwashing detergent for residential use. Phosphorus has a significant detrimental impact to lakes, often acting as a fertilizer for aquatic vegetation, leading to overabundant plant and algal growth. Takes effect July 1, 2010 Low-phosphorus and phosphorus-free automatic residential dishwasher detergents are readily available today through most manufacturers.
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Read more... [Lakes Legislation Weekly - 9/16/09]
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Contact your Maine Legislators |
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EPA's Nonpoint Source News-Notes, Issue #87 (June 2009)NPS News-Notes Issue #87 is now online at www.epa.gov/newsnotes/pdf/87issue.pdf The newsletter's cover page includes links to each section, article, and announcement.
For previous issues of News-Notes, see www.epa.gov/newsnotes.
To phone your Maine legislators - Leave the briefest of messages and leave your number for a call-back:
Maine House of Representatives: 1-800-423-2900
Maine Senate 1-800-423-6900
To e-mail your Representative:
1. Using your Internet browser, go to <http://janus.state.me.us/house/e_mail.htm>
2. Locate your Representative on the alphabetical listing
3. Click on the Representative's e-mail link. This will create a new e-mail message for you to fill out and send.
To e-mail your Senator:
1. Using your Internet browser, go to <http://janus.state.me.us/legis/senate>
2. Scroll down to find and click on "Senator E-mail" link.
3. Locate your Senator on the alphabetical listing.
4. Click on the Senator's e-mail link. This will create a new e-mail message for you to fill out and send.
A word about content…
1. Identify yourself by name and tell where you live; make it clear you are a constituent
2. If an organization membership or job title is related to the subject, include that as part of your self-identification
3. Identify the legislative bill or administrative proposal and state clearly whether you support or oppose it.
4. Be polite and concise. Focus on one or two talking points. Use local examples if you can.
5. Ask the legislator for specific action (e.g. to give full consideration to voting for/against legislation).
6. Close by thanking the legislator for his or her time and consideration.
M. S. Shannon
Maine Congress of Lake Associations |
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Lakes Legislation Weekly - 6/4/09 |
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The following was contributed by: Derek R. Durbin, J.D.
Environmental Policy Director, New Hampshire Lakes Association
3 Silk Farm Rd., Concord, NH 03301 (603) 226-0299
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.nhlakes.org/
Good News! On May 27th, the NH Senate passed HB 350 as amended (a NH LAKES initiated bill). The focus of this bill is to update the law to include limitations of phosphorus in automatic dishwashing detergents (automatic dishwashing detergents containing low and no phosphorus are readily available today through most manufacturers). Phosphorus can encourage overabundant plant and algal growth which can lead to increased problems with toxic algal blooms and the increased growth of exotic invasive aquatic weeds. By eliminating a significant contributor of phosphorous pollution at its manufacturing sources, we are able to greatly reduce its impact on lakes. We are looking forward to the Governor's signature - stay tuned!
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Read more... [Lakes Legislation Weekly - 6/4/09]
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Lakes Legislation Weekly - 5/22/09 |
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The following was contributed by: Derek R. Durbin, J.D.
Environmental Policy Director, New Hampshire Lakes Association
3 Silk Farm Rd., Concord, NH 03301 (603) 226-0299
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.nhlakes.org/
Good News! Next Wednesday, May 27th, the NH Senate will vote on HB 350 as amended (a NH LAKES initiated bill). On Thursday, May 21st, the Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee recommended the bill Ought to Pass with a 5-0 vote. The focus of this bill is to update the law to include limitations of phosphorus in automatic dishwashing detergents (automatic dishwashing detergents containing low and no phosphorus are readily available today through most manufacturers). Phosphorus can encourage overabundant plant and algal growth which can lead to increased problems with toxic algal blooms and the increased growth of exotic invasive aquatic weeds. By eliminating a significant contributor of phosphorous pollution at its manufacturing sources, we are able to greatly reduce its impact on lakes. ACTION: Please contact your senator and urge them to vote Ought to Pass on HB 350!
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Read more... [Lakes Legislation Weekly - 5/22/09]
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