The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
Land Use Toolbox
New Hampshire - Planning/Zoning
links
University
of New Hampshire
Community
Development Programs,
http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/CommDev/CommDev.htm
Description: UNH Cooperative Extension's Communities program provides education, training, and assistance to New Hampshire communities to enhance their ability to improve their economic, environmental, social, and physical well-being. The Communities program offers capacity-building assistance in a variety of forms, including workshops, trainings, informational materials, public facilitations, and technical assistance.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
University
of New Hampshire
GIS
and GPS,
http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/GISGPS/GISGPS.htm
Description: Information about GIs and GPs training through the University of New Hampshire.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
University
of New Hampshire
New
Hampshire GRANIT,
http://www.granit.sr.unh.edu/
Description: The New Hampshire Geographically Referenced Analysis and Information Transfer System (NH GRANIT) is a cooperative project to create, maintain, and make available a statewide geographic data base serving the information needs of state, regional, and local decision-makers. In addition to database development and maintenance, the GRANIT staff offers a range of application development, training, and related technical services to GIs users in the state and the region.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Connecticut
River Joint Commissions
Connecticut
River Joint Commissions,
http://www.crjc.org/
Description:
The catalyst for cooperatively meeting the Valley's challenges is the
Connecticut River Joint Commissions, who seek a strong and vibrant economy
while capitalizing on the natural wealth of this place. Capitalizing without
corrupting means conserving. Helping Valley people achieve that balance
and finding the resources to ensure that quality of life is the role of
the Connecticut River Joint Commissions.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire, Vermont
Connecticut
River Watershed Council
Connecticut
River Watershed Council,
http://www.ctriver.org/
Description:
Founded in 1952, the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) is the
only broad-based citizen advocate for the environmental well-being of
the entire Connecticut River. Our primary mission is to promote improvement
of water quality and the restoration, conservation, wise development and
use of the natural resources of the Connecticut River watershed.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation
Conservation
Law Foundation,
http://www.clf.org/
Description:
The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental
advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England,
where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on
the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region
and its residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures,
http://www.clfventures.org/
Description:
CLF Ventures is redefining environmental advocacy. Through innovative
partnerships with private and public sector clients, we combine CLF's
longstanding reputation for environmental protection with our financial
and business transaction skills. As a result, we are able to provide our
clients with innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Department
of Environmental Services
Coastal
Program,
http://des.nh.gov/Coastal/
Description:
In 1972, Congress passed the Coastal Zone Management Act in recognition
of the importance of the nation's coastal resources. The NH Coastal Program
gained federal approval in 1982. The Coastal Program's mission is to "balance
the preservation of natural resources of the coast with the social and
economic needs of this and succeeding generations."
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Department
of Environmental Services
DES
Grants and Loans,
http://www.des.state.nh.us/grants_loans.htm
Description: Each year, the State of New Hampshire provides substantial grant and loan opportunities to municipalities and others, to support environmental infrastructure improvements and other environmental and public health projects. This page provides descriptions of the grant and loan programs administered by the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Over the years, this funding has created substantial environmental and public health benefits across the state of New Hampshire.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Department
of Resources and Economic Development
Division
of Forests and Lands,
http://www.nhdfl.org/
Description: As stewards of New Hampshire's forests and related resources, the Division of Forests and Lands protects and promotes the values provided by trees and forests. Our mission is accomplished through responsible management of the State's forested resources; by providing forest resource information and education to the public; and the protection of these resources for the continuing benefit of the State's citizens, visitors, and forest industry.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Department
of Transportation
DOT
Public Interest Center,
http://www.nh.gov/dot/public/index.htm
Description: Documents, reports, schedules and other Department of Transportation information of interest to the general public, including links to other related websites can be found here.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Environmental
Protection Agency
Smart
Growth Strategies in New England,
http://www.epa.gov/region1/ra/sprawl/index.html
Description:
EPA New England launched a Smart Growth Program in 1999 at our Smart Growth
Strategies for New England conference. The conference's success demonstrated
widespread interest in the twin problems of sprawl and urban decay. Smart
growth is an alternative to sprawl and urban decay, and is an innovative
approach to addressing EPA's environmental mandates. Our Smart Growth
Action Plan involves working with diverse partners to shape land use and
growth so that it has minimum impact on environmental, economic, and community
health.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Natural
Resource Conservation Service - USDA
New
Hampshire NRCS,
http://www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov/
Description:
NRCS soil conservationists, soil scientists, agronomists, ecologists,
engineers, planners, and other specialists promote land stewardship by
providing technical assistance through teams to address surface and groundwater
quality; wetlands, riparian areas, and biodiversity; aquatic and terrestrial
habitat; and impacts of landuse changes. NRCS teams work on all of a state's
landscapes: agricultural, wetlands and riparian areas, suburban, rural,
urban centers, and forested.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
New
Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions
New
Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions,
http://www.nhacc.org/nhacc.htm
Description:
A municipal conservation commission may be established by a New Hampshire
municipality "for the proper utilization and protection of the natural
resources and for the protection of watershed resources of said city or
town." A commission is the only local board specifically charged
to protect the natural resources of the municipality. Without a conservation
commission, planning for this protection must be done by other boards,
all of which have other primary responsibilities. A conservation commission
provides a focal point within municipal government for environmental concerns.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
New
Hampshire Judicial Branch
Supreme
Court Opinions,
http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opinions/index.htm
Description:
These opinions are subject to motions for rehearing under Rule 22 as well
as formal revision before publication in the New Hampshire Reports.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
New
Hampshire Lakes Association
New
Hampshire Lakes Association,
http://www.nhlakes.org/#
Description:
The NHLA is a statewide, nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated
to protecting New Hampshire's lakes, which are integral to the quality
of life and economic health of the State. We serve as a source of information
about lakes and lake issues through our educational materials and programs,
and through our work with state legislators. We advocate on issues of
water quality, boater education and boating safety, invasive species prevention,
appropriate public access and a balance of lake uses.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
New
Hampshire Mainstreet
New
Hampshire Mainstreet,
http://www.nhcdfa.org/mainstreet.html
Description:
While commercial district revitalization can be addressed in many ways,
the underlying premise of the Main Street approach is summed up in the
program goals - to encourage economic development, within the context
of historic preservation, that is appropriate to today's market place.
This approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, empowerment,
and the rebuilding of commercial districts based on its traditional assets:
unique architecture, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of
community.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Newfound
Lake Region Association
Newfound
Lake Region Association,
http://www.newfoundlakeregionassociation.org/
Description:
NLRA is a non-profit organization formed by concerned citizens in 1971.
It is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the Newfound Lake
and surrounding region. Water quality analysis is our #1 job, and we have
been constantly sampling and testing for acid rain, water transparency,
nutrients and algae growth since 1986. This information serves to identify
the location of specific problems so that corrective action can be initiated.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Northeast-Midwest
Institute
Northeast-Midwest
Institute,
http://www.nemw.org
Description:
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit,
and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality,
environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Office
of Legislative Services
New
Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules,
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/listagencies.html
Description:
All adopted administrative rules subject to RSA 541-A, the Administrative
Procedure Act, must be filed by state executive branch agencies to make
the adopted rules effective and therefore have the force of law. Together
the effective agency rules comprise the New Hampshire Code of Administrative
Rules.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Achieving
Smart Growth in New Hampshire,
http://www.nh.gov/osp/SmartGrowth/index.htm
Description:
The NH Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) welcomes you to Achieving Smart
Growth in New Hampshire. This project documents how New Hampshire is changing
and highlights some positive examples of development and conservation
throughout the state.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Community
Development Block Grant Program,
http://www.state.nh.us/osp/cdbg/index.htm
Description:
The primary purpose of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
is the development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing,
suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities, principally
for persons of low and moderate income.
Topics: Housing, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Estuaries
Project,
http://www.state.nh.us/nhep
Description:
The New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) is part of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's National Estuary Program (NEP). The NEP is a joint
local/state/federal program established under the Clean Water Act with
the goal of promoting the protection and enhancement of estuarine resources
identified to be of national significance. The ultimate goal of each estuary
project is to formulate and implement a realistic Management Plan.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Floodplain
Management Program,
http://www.nhoem.state.nh.us/NFIP/homepage.shtm
Description:
Anyone who applies for a mortgage on an existing home in flood-prone areas
will be required to carry flood insurance for the life of the mortgage.
Private insurance for such at-risk structures is very expensive, if you
can find a company that will even insure you. The National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) offers residents in those communities that choose to participate
in the Program the opportunity to purchase federally-subsidized flood
insurance; in exchange, the community agrees to adopt and enforce a Floodplain
Management Ordinance, and commits to practice sound land use management
within flood-prone areas known as special flood hazard areas. Another
advantage to being a participant in the Program is that disaster assistance
is much more readily available; in fact, for communities that do not participate
in the NFIP, assistance is severely limited.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Index
of Land Use Regulation Statutes,
http://www.state.nh.us/osp/statutes/index.html
Description:
This index is intended to be a more "user-friendly" index of
land use regulation statutes.
Topics: Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Outdoor
Recreation Planning Program,
http://www.nh.gov/osp/recreation/
Description:
This agency has created New Hampshire's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (SCORP). A major focus of the revised SCORP has been to
update outdoor recreation issues of statewide importance. The SCORP provides
a series of recommendations to address these outdoor recreation issues
of statewide importance, and serves as a centralized data source for outdoor
recreation supply and demand information.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Planning
Board Frequently Asked Questions,
http://nh.gov/oep/programs/MRPA/PlanningBoardFAQs.htm
Description:
The local planning board has an advisory role in studies, mapping, and
planning decisions, and is responsible for representing the municipality's
interest and for translating that interest into plans for guiding the
municipality's growth.
Topics: Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Regional
Planning Commissions,
http://nh.gov/oep/resourcelibrary/regions/home.htm
Description:
This page provides information and links to the 9 regional planning agencies
in NH. An interactive map of the 9 regional planning agencies is available
as well as this link to the NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions.
We also provide a page with links to other planning-related organizations.
Topics: Intergovernmental Cooperation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Office
of State Planning
Zoning
Board of Adjustment Frequently Asked Questions,
http://nh.gov/oep/programs/MRPA/ZoningBoardFAQs.htm
Description:
For many years, zoning boards of adjustment have played an important,
but little noticed role, in the development of New Hampshire communities.
Sometimes praised, sometimes criticized, they have continued to perform
their principal role - reviewing applications for zoning variances, special
exceptions and hearing appeals from the decisions made by administrative
officials - all without much fanfare. To a large extent, the success or
failure of zoning administration rests on the proper exercise of judgment
by members of the board of adjustment.
Topics: Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Smart
Growth Network
New
Hampshire Smart Growth News Articles,
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/bystate.asp?state=NH&res=800
Description: Listing of news articles relating to smart growth issues in a specific state.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
USDA
Forest Service
Northeast
Center for Urban & Community Forestry,
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/index.shtml
Description:
The Northeast Center for Urban and Community Forestry is a cooperative
partnership among the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and
Private Forestry, the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and the seven
states of New England and New York. The Center responds to Urban and Community
Forestry needs, facilitates and supports new and existing research, and
coordinates the exchange of information among the states in the region
in order to contribute to healthy and sustainable communities.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Property tax reform and smart growth: connecting some of the dots, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Tax policy tools for smart growth.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, fiscal impact/taxation, housing, transportation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
The Boston Globe
Voters face choice: land or houses?, www.boston.com
Description: Article: Town choosing to purchase the last piece of wildernessÂ…..
Topics: land preservation, historic preservation, planning&zoning, fiscal impact/taxation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
EPA
State Brownfields & Voluntary Response Program:Region 1, www.epa.gov
Description: Region 1: CT; ME; MA; NH; RI; VT.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities,
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachussetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
NERCRD ©2004
The Toolbox is a joint effort of The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD)
and Penn State Cooperative Extension in Adams County.
This page was last updated on July 13, 2005.
For questions, suggestions or to report broken links, please contact NERCRD: nercrd@psu.edu.