TITLE XIX
PUBLIC RECREATION
Chapter 227-E
CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY RESOURCE COMMISSION
Section 227-E:1
227-E:1 Purpose. –
The purpose of this chapter is to cooperate with the state of Vermont in protecting and preserving the visual, ecological and agricultural integrity of the Connecticut River Valley while planning for and guiding the development of the recreational, tourist, commercial, and residential uses of the valley. The commission shall achieve these goals by identifying, protecting, and promoting the natural, recreational, cultural, and historical resources of the Connecticut River Valley. The commission shall seek the cooperation of the state of Vermont in achieving these goals.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.
Section 227-E:2
227-E:2 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Commission" means the Connecticut River Valley resource commission.
II. "Conservation easement" means a less than fee interest in property acquired for the purpose of permanently protecting a natural, cultural or historical resource or its scenic or recreational values.
III. "Development rights" means the rights of a fee simple owner of property to improve such property, including the right to change the terrain, remove natural vegetation and construct buildings on it. Development rights may be severed from the fee simple to constitute a restriction on the property.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.
Section 227-E:3
227-E:3 Commission Established; Administratively Attached. –
There is established the Connecticut River Valley resource commission. The commission shall be administratively attached to the department of environmental services pursuant to RSA 21-G:10.
Source. 1987, 311:1. 2003, 319:9. 2004, 257:44, eff. July 1, 2004. 2011, 24:1, eff. July 1, 2011.
Section 227-E:4
227-E:4 Membership of Commission. –
I. The commission shall consist of 15 members, all of whom shall be New Hampshire residents, as follows:
(a) A member of the North Country Council, designated by the council.
(b) A member of the Upper Valley-Lake Sunapee Council, designated by the council.
(c) A member of the Southwest Regional Planning Commission, designated by the commission.
(d) A member of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, designated by the council.
(e) A New Hampshire member of the Connecticut River Flood Control Commission, designated by the commission.
(f) A representative of a hydro-electric concern located within the Connecticut River Valley.
(g) A representative of a recognized statewide conservation organization.
(h) A representative of the commercial tourism industry.
(i) A representative of the agricultural industry who shall be actively engaged in farming.
(j) A representative of the forest product industry or a timberland owner.
(k) Five additional members appointed by the governor and council from a list of nominees submitted by the commission members appointed under RSA 227-E:4, I(a) through (j) to the governor and council.
II. The governor and council shall appoint the members designated in subparagraphs I(f) through (k). These members shall all be residents of the Connecticut River Valley and shall serve 3-year terms, provided that the initial appointments shall be 2 for a term of one year, 4 for a term of 2 years, and 4 for a term of 3 years. The members appointed under subparagraphs I(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall serve at the pleasure of the organizations they represent.
III. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members shall hold office until their successors are appointed and qualified.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.
Section 227-E:5
227-E:5 Chairman; Meetings. –
I. The commission shall elect a chairman from among its members.
II. The commission shall meet at least once a month and at the call of the chairman.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.
Section 227-E:6
227-E:6 Power and Duties. –
In performing its duties, the commission shall cooperate with the department of environmental services and shall conform its activities with any state comprehensive plan. The commission shall:
I. Assemble and assess a comprehensive inventory of all private and public resources which serve to preserve and protect the visual and ecological integrity of the Connecticut River Valley.
II. Coordinate, with the department of natural and cultural resources, the development of regional promotional programs and other incentive programs for established and future recreational facilities, resources, and services using existing public and private mechanisms.
III. Initiate and encourage interstate cooperation and participation with the state of Vermont for the promotion and protection of the Connecticut River Valley as a recreational and cultural resource.
IV. Cooperate with, and suggest guidelines for, local communities and regional planning commissions to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
V. Review and evaluate similar river and watershed protection efforts and regional promotion programs.
VI. Investigate, identify, accept and expend additional public and private funds to:
(a) Establish incentives for the expansion of recreational facilities.
(b) Encourage the development of recreational opportunities and provide additional public access to recreational areas in the Connecticut River Valley.
(c) Administer the duties of the commission.
(d) Protect the agricultural, historical and natural resources of the Connecticut River Valley.
VII. Advise federal, state, and local agencies and private organizations on priorities for acquisition and protection of key resource lands in the valley to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
VIII. Evaluate applications from local communities for funding for the purchase by such communities of development rights, conservation easements, and titles to or other interests in land having important recreational, historical, natural, and cultural qualities. The commission may award grants of up to 50 percent of the cost for such purchases from funds appropriated to the commission for the purchase of such interests in land. The commission shall evaluate the applications in accordance with criteria adopted under RSA 227-E:8, III.
Source. 1987, 311:1. 2003, 319:9. 2004, 257:44, eff. July 1, 2004. 2011, 24:2, eff. July 1, 2011. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.
Section 227-E:7
227-E:7 Private Donations. –
In addition to the authority granted in RSA 227-E:6, the commission may solicit and accept private donations for the purpose of this chapter. Any funds received pursuant to this section shall be nonlapsing.
Source. 1987, 311:1. 1990, 233:20, eff. June 26, 1990.
Section 227-E:8
227-E:8 Rulemaking. –
The commission shall adopt rules, after public hearing and pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
I. Regional promotional programs and other incentive programs for recreational facilities, resources and services.
II. Criteria for the identification of priority recreational facilities and land.
III. Establishing procedures for grants administered by the commission. These rules shall include, as appropriate:
(a) Application or grant distribution procedures.
(b) Criteria and procedures for evaluating applications.
(c) Procedures for administration of funds by grantees.
(d) Monitoring and report procedures.
(e) Appeal procedures for parties dissatisfied with grant decisions.
IV. The administration of the commission.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.
Section 227-E:9
227-E:9 Reports; Committee Recommendations. –
I. The commission shall annually on or before September 1 submit a report of its activities and expenditures to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, to be forwarded by each of them to the appropriate house or senate standing committee.
II. The house and senate committees receiving the report shall each, on or before December 1, review the report and submit recommendations, including recommendations for legislation, if appropriate, to the speaker or the president of the senate, respectively.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.
Section 227-E:10
227-E:10 Staff. –
There shall be the equivalent of one full-time staff person who shall be hired by the chairman of the commission with the approval of the commission. The staff person shall assist the commission in carrying out the purposes of this chapter and shall report directly to the commission.
Source. 1987, 311:1, eff. July 1, 1987.