2023-SOOE-Residential-Guide-digital

RESIDENTIAL GUIDE W H AT YO U C A N D O T O H E L P I M P R O V E E S T U A R I N E A N D WAT E R S H E D H E A LT H Photo by Jerry Monkman.

From the headwaters in Wakefield, New Hampshire and Acton, Maine to the coast, the Piscataqua Region Watershed encompasses 1,086 square miles, 52 towns, two beautiful estuar- ies, and more than 400,000 residents. Since 1995, the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP), as part of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program, has been committed to moni- toring, protecting, and preserving these nationally signifcant lands and waters. Every fve years we release the State of Our Estuaries report to provide decision- makers, communities, and residents like you with a comprehensive look at the health of our region’s estuaries – Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook. The 2023 State of Our Estuaries report sends a clear message: the challeng- es we face are signifcant and so is our power to bring about positive change. Fortunately, there are simple actions for all of us who live, work, and play in the region can take to improve water quality and ensure healthy com- munities. This Residential Guide is a com- panion document to the 2023 State of Our Estuaries report. It contains specifc actions you can take at home, with your family, in your community, and regionally to become a Clean Water Champion! It even includes a fold-out poster that you can hang on your fridge, wall, or of- fce as a quick reference for what you can do to help our estuaries! PREP is your partner in clean water solutions and go-to resource for the latest data on the estuarine and watershed health. About This Guide PREP GOAL Encourage all who live, work, and play in the Piscataqua Region Watershed to take actions to help protect and preserve the places we love. Photo by Melissa Paly Photo by Emily Lord.

Little Bay W i nn ic u t R. S q u am s c o tt R. Great Bay L a m p r ey R. Bel lam y R . O ys t e r R. G r e a t Wo r k s R. S p r uc e C reek P i sca taqu a River Co c hec o R. Atlantic Ocean Isles of Shoals Portsmouth Harbor Hampton-Seabrook Harbor Sal m o n F alls R. Salmon Falls R. Ex et e r R . Nor th Br anc h R i ver Isi ngla ss Ri v er M a d R i v er E la Ri ve r Pickers Brook Pisc ass ic R ive r Taylor River Li tt le R iv er §¨¦ 95 U V 101 SALISBURY YORK WELLS ACTON LEBANON LEE SANFORD MILTON DEERFIELD STRAFFORD DOVER BERWICK CANDIA WAKEFIELD BARRINGTON ROCHESTER NOTTINGHAM EPPING ELIOT RYE NEW DURHAM RAYMOND DURHAM FARMINGTON CHESTER EXETER NORTH BERWICK NORTHWOOD KITTERY KINGSTON SOUTH BERWICK BROOKFIELD FREMONT MIDDLETON STRATHAM HAMPTON SANDOWN BRENTWOOD DANVILLE MADBURY PORTSMOUTH NEWMARKET GREENLAND NEWINGTON KENSINGTON SEABROOK NORTH HAMPTON HAMPTON FALLS NEWFIELDS SOMERSWORTH EAST KINGSTON ROLLINSFORD NEW CASTLE Piscataqua Region Watershed Town Boundaries Sub-Watersheds Bellamy River Coastal Drainage Cocheco River Exeter River Great Bay Great Works River Hampton Harbor Lamprey River Oyster River Piscataqua River Salmon Falls River Winnicut River µ 0 2 4 6 1 Miles NEW HAMPSHIRE MAINE MASSACHUSETTS Piscataqua Region Watershed Map created by Matthew A. Wood, NHDES, October 2022 Piscataqua Region Watershed The Piscataqua Region Watershed is the land area from which water drains to the Great Bay Estuary and the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary. The watershed covers 1,086 square miles in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts..

WHAT YOU CAN DO Citizen science happens when volunteers collaborate with researchers on science projects, often collecting data about the natural world. Did you know you can volunteer for one of many citizen science opportunities in your region? Many organizations are looking for concerned citizens like you who are interested in contributing to the world of scientifc monitoring and research. Many of the projects that occur in our watershed would not be possible without volunteers like you! For a list of opportunities visit: Extension.UNH.Edu/About/Volunteering BECOMING A CLEAN WATER CHMAPION POSITIVE TOTAL: 6 The trend or status of the indicator demonstrates improving conditions, generally good conditions, or substantial progress relative to the management goal. TOTAL: 3 NEGATIVE The trend or status of the indicator demonstrates deteriorating conditions, generally poor conditions, or minimal progress relative to the management goal. TOTAL: 13 CAUTIONARY The trend or status of the indicator demonstrates possibly deteriorating conditions, a mixture of positive and negative trends, or moderate progress relative to the management goal. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH YOUR PETS Clean Up Pet Waste Pet and do- mesticated animal waste contains fecal coliform bacteria and other disease-causing organisms, such as Salmonella, roundworms, and Giardia. Pick up after your pets and dispose of their waste so pollution does not runof into our waterways and cause harmful public and envi- ronmental health issues. Bathe Pets the Green Way Wash your pets indoors or at a do-it- yourself grooming shop or use a professional groomer. If your dog or animal is so big that they must be washed outdoors, use the lawn or another permeable surface to keep the soapy water from running into a storm drain. Considering using bio- degradable soap. WITH YOUR CAR Dispose of Fluids Properly Never pour anything down a storm drain, since most drains empty di- rectly into streams or rivers. Recy- cle oil at registered collection cen- ters throughout the region. Fix Leaks Chemicals leaking from cars are a major source of pollution and can easily wash into a nearby stream. Wash Your Car the Green Way Washing your car on a permeable surface like your lawn allows the water to soak into the ground and not run of into a drain or stream. Use biodegradable or environmen- tally friendly soap to ensure you do not pollute groundwater through your lawn. Drive Less Carpooling, biking, or using public transit helps reduce air and water pollution and can save you money. IN YOUR GARDEN Capture the Rain DIrecting down- spouts into rain barrels or onto lawns or rain gardens helps slow stormwa- ter runof and reduces the amount of polluted water running of your land. Water captured in rain barrels can be reused to water your garden. Build Healthy Soil When mowing your lawn, set the blade to 3” or higher and leave clippings. This will reduce the need for water and syn- thetic fertilizers. If necessary, sup- plement your soil with mulch, compost, or other all-natural soil amendments. Use Less Pavement Instead of paving, consider using pervious pavement or paving stones set into permeable stone dust. Pervious al- ternatives allow rain to soak into the ground instead of running of into waterways. Maintaining these sys- tems after installation is key to their continued success. Plant Less Lawn & More Native Plants Gardens allow for more water to soak into the ground than lawns, and can be great for pollinators, too! Use erosion control mulch to stabilize bare soils and sloped areas. AROUND YOUR HOME Maintain Your Septic System Dumping chemicals down the drain interferes with the ability of a septic system to process waste. It is recom- mended that septic systems be pumped every two to three years. Failure to pump your septic tank can cause premature failure and over- fows that pollute water, threaten public health, and are expensive to repair or replace. Dispose of Chemicals Responsi- bly Leftover medicines, paint, pesti- cides, or other chemicals must be disposed of safely and should never be poured down the drain or fushed. Contact your community to learn about hazardous waste collec- tion in your area. Choose Eco-Friendly Products Using “environmentally friendly” products that use biodegradable alternatives and less packaging can reduce the number of con- taminants that find their way into our rivers, lakes, marshes, and estuaries. Be sure to read the in- gredients of the products you use in your home. WITH YOUR MONEY Support Local Business Visit the local businesses you know support clean water. The Green Alliance and NH Businesses for Social Responsibil- ity are helpful resources for identify- ing local, environmentally responsi- ble businesses. Support Local Nonprofts Our re- gion is lucky to have so many non- proft organizations that are working to protect our waterways, educate children and community members, conserve land, and address climate change. These organizations depend on public support to do their import- ant work, so consider donating where you can. WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS Spread the word Be a positive example and help your family and friends implement some of the practices above around their homes, in their yard and with their cars, pets, voices, and time. Be an advocate for your watershed and community! WITH YOUR TIME Get Involved Local and regional conservation and watershed organi- zations rely on volunteers. Whether you want to get dirty in the feld, teach the next generation about protecting our environment, or help stuf envelopes, our community needs people like you! You can also make a diference by volunteering on your town’s conservation commis- sion, planning board, energy com- mittee, or select board. This is one of the most efective ways to ensure that your voice is being heard in the conversation about land use and water quality issues. Become a Citizen Scientist Orga- nizations are looking for concerned citizens like you who are interested in contributing to the world of sci- entifc monitoring and research. Many research projects that occur in our watershed would not be possi- ble without volunteers! Visit the Stewardship Behavior indicator in the 2023 State of Our Estuaries re- port for more information. WITH YOUR VOTE Talk to Your Representatives Write or call your local, regional, and state representatives to start a conversation about clean water is- sues that are important to you. Ask candidates what they will do to protect and restore our estuaries. Vote for Clean Water Support protections for clean water in your community such as up- grades to wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater manage- ment projects, land conservation bonds, and natural resource pro- tection regulations (i.e., those that protect buffer lands along water bodies). WITH YOUR BUSINESS Design with Water in Mind Think about how you can help protect the waters around you. For assistance in “greening” your business, visit the NHDES’ New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Program (NHPPP) which can help businesses implement strategies that protect the environ- ment and save money at the same time. Some actions may include re- ducing the size of your parking lot (a great way to increase infltration of rain on your property), implementing stormwater best management prac- tices (like a rain garden on site), or utilizing proper snow and ice remov- al techniques. To become a NHDES certifed Salt Applicator through a Green SnowPro training, visit DES. NH.Gov/Land/Roads/Road-Salt-Re- duction/GreenSnowPro-Certifcation IN YOUR COMMUNITY 2023 STATE OF OUR ESTUARIES INDICATOR SUMMARY HOUSING EELGRASS PHYTOPLANKTON IMPERVIOUS COVER NITROGEN LOADING (NON-POINT SOURCES) TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND FUNDING STEWARDSHIP BEHAVIOR TOXIC CONTAMINANTS DISSOLVED OXYGEN MIGRATORY FISHES CONSERVED LANDS (FOCUS AREAS) OYSTERS SEAWEEDS CONSERVED LANDS (GENERAL) SHELLFISH HARVEST OPPORTUNITIES NITROGEN LOADING (POINT SOURCES) NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS BACTERIA SALT MARSH BEACH ADVISORIES SOFTSHELL CLAMS What can you do to help protect and preserve the places we love? Display our poster to follow everyday actions for becoming a Clean Water Champion! Clean rivers, lakes, marshes, and estuaries are something we can all agree on, and it is our responsibility as residents to protect clean water in our region for ourselves, our neighbors, and our health, happiness, and enjoyment. As the Community for Clean Water, PREP works to unite and en- courage you, your friends, and family to take simple steps to reduce water pollu- tion caused by our actions every day. The power to make a diference lies in each of us changing small behaviors so that all of us can continue to enjoy this fantastic place we call home. Display our poster to follow every- day actions for becoming a Clean Water Champion! Photo by Nature Groupie.

As shown in the 2023 State of Our Estuaries report, supporting the health of the Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook Estuaries de- pends on bettering the condition for criti- cal habitats and species and reducing the stressors that harm them. This takes sig- nifcant work from not only local organi- zations and municipalities, but also from engaged community members like you! Here are just a few examples of how resi- dents in our communities have come to- gether to reduce pollution, remove bar- riers to fsh migration, and help educate others who live, work, and play in this wa- tershed we call home. Piscataqua Region Youth Address Runof Pollution Pollution caused by runof might not be on the top of your mind, but it is for the Youth Conservation Corps! Hosted by the Acton Wakefeld Watersheds Alliance (AWWA), the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a crew of eager and dedicated high school students working with lo- cal homeowners and residents to im- plement erosion control projects on streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds in the Acton and Wakefeld regions of our wa- tershed. This crew (accompanied by a crew leader and technical director) of- fer their services to install landscaped features on local homeowner’s prop- erties that are designed to reduce the pollution of our waterways caused by runof from rain events and seasonal melt water. The process starts with a site visit; it’s here where AWWA’s technical di- rector and the YCC crew leader meet with the resident and assess the prop- erty’s impact on water quality related to erosion and runof. During the as- sessment, AWWA educates the home- owner about why the design features of certain best management practices (BMPs) are recommended, what they accomplish, and how to maintain them. After receiving a report and list of rec- ommended BMPs, the homeowner can choose to apply for the YCC program. With the crew’s labor funded by dona- tions and grants, the homeowner is on- ly responsible for the costs of materials. Since the program’s inception in 2006, the YCC has completed 307 projects across 10 water bodies! AWWA intends to continue the expansion of the YCC crew size and capacity as funding al- lows to meet the needs of the commu- nity and the environment. “We loved having the YCC crew at our home. They were considerate, kind and full of energy, and most importantly had a clear commitment to helping pro- tect our local waters. It was great to see some of them fsh of our dock during lunch. Our family has lived on Great East Lake for over 50 years and is thankful to AWWA for helping us be stewards of this special place.” ROB & ALISON TOZIER RESIDENTS OF WAKEFIELD, NH Seabrook Students Becoming Citizen Scientists It’s never too early to engage residents in watershed science, and in 2022 local Seabrook 6th graders achieved junior citizen scientist status thanks to a col- laborative program spearheaded by the Seabrook Middle School’s Curriculum Coordinator and their 6th grade science teacher. The program, supported and facilitated by the Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA), included a slideshow presentation from a local NH Certifed Wetland Scientist about the diferent vegetation types unique to a salt marsh and a subsequent feld trip out to the salt marsh adjacent to the school. Using ‘bingo’ cards and hand lenses, students searched for and iden- tifed several plants they learned about in the classroom. Students were also asked to observe their surroundings by drawing something in the marsh that Ordinary People Making an Extraordinary Diference Photo by Acton Wakefeld Watersheds Alliance..

caught their attention and making a list of natural and man-made things they saw. Finally, they explored the school’s newly installed Picture Post at the edge of the salt marsh, where SHEA shared the importance of monitoring and how taking photos at the Post and upload- ing them contributes to our knowledge base about changes in the surround- ing salt marsh from day to day, season to season, and year to year. Throughout the program’s activities, the 6th grad- ers honed their science skills by learn- ing about plants present in salt marshes, improving their observational skills, and understanding how they can use the Picture Post to become “citizen scien- tists.” Seabrook’s curious and adventur- ous students loved this program and SHEA is working with Seabrook Middle School staf to make it an annual event. “These community partnerships allow our students the opportunity to see beyond the walls of the classroom and experi- ence learning through the lens of experts in the feld. These types of projects also help students develop curiosity about where they live and promote steward- ship of the natural world.” LAUREN DECONSTANT CURRICULUM COORDINATOR FOR THE SEABROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT A Vote for the Oyster River Never underestimate the passion of a community and their power when speaking up to make change. This is es- pecially true in the case of the Mill Pond Dam. Dams fragment freshwater habi- tats and pose signifcant challenges to migratory fsh, like river herring, limiting their movement upstream to reproduce. Removing these constructed barriers al- lows river herring returns to respond in a big way. For example, after the Town of Exeter removed the Great Dam in 2016, more fsh have migrated up the Exeter River than at any time in at least the last half century (see “Migratory Fishes” in the 2023 State of Our Estuaries). Dam re- movals and restoration projects are chal- lenging, but engaged community mem- bers can make a huge diference. . Recently, the Mill Pond Dam – a 140-foot long, head-of-tide dam on the Oyster River – had been the subject of heated debate in the Town of Durham, NH. In September of 2021, after months of public hearings with feedback from residents and experts alike, the town council voted to remove the 110-year- old structure. That decision was met with a citizens’ petition from those op- posed to the dam’s removal. In response to the petition and the upcoming town vote that would decide the fate of the dam and a free-fowing Oyster River, Photo by Melissa Paly Photo by Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance the Oyster River Conservation Alliance (ORCA), a grassroots group of primar- ily Durham residents, partnered with a number of citizens, scientists, and local environmental nongovernmental orga- nizations to help spread the word of the benefts of dam removal. Through a tru- ly citizen-led outreach campaign, ORCA encouraged residents to get out to vote! And with a turnout of more than double the average town election, the people of Durham agreed to restore the Oyster River with 74% of voters supporting re- moving the dam. “It’s rare that we get such an opportunity to right environmental wrongs. Given a chance like this, we needed to unite, correct misconceptions, engage experts, talk with our neighbors, listen to our in- digenous groups, and take decisive ac- tion. Putting in the time and consistency of messaging, as well as an unwavering team, led the Oyster River and the Great Bay Estuary to a much brighter future.” SCOT CALITRI ORCA CO-FOUNDER.

LOOK FOR OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS Visit StateofOurEstuaries.org to view and download. A full 108-page State of Our Estuaries 2023 report that has deeper explanations, tables, graphs, and future priorities. University of New Hampshire Nesmith Hall, 131 Main St., Durham, NH 03824 A guide for municipal leaders and decision-makers that provides a short list of priority policy options for consideration and model ef orts from our own communities. MUNICIPAL GUIDE G U I D E F O R M U N I C I PA L L E A D E R S A N D D E C I S I O N – M A K E R S For more information, contact: Abigail Lyon, Community Engagement Manager Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership Morse Hall, Suite 113, 8 College Road, Durham, NH 03824 (603) 862-3729 | [email protected].