APA's 2023 National Planning Conference slogan: It takes a Planner. (SRPC photo)

Greetings,

Happy Friday! As the season is changing, so too is SRPC. As your guest greeter this month, I’m pleased to share our many updates. In future editions of the SRPC Newsletter, Autumn Scott and Mark Davie will be sharing the role of newsletter editor. In our Staff Updates section you will read about Shayna Sylvia’s move to UNH to pursue her career in marketing. SRPC has also welcomed new additions to the team and family – two new babies, and two new staff members to be announced later this month.

Staff are gearing up for the summer field season preparing to conduct traffic counts, continue our new bicycle and pedestrian counting program, and conduct corridor site assessments to help plan future transportation improvements. In this issue you will find information on SRPC’s latest videos and job postings; NHPA’s spring conference; several planning events of interest & funding opportunities; public input opportunities you may have missed; recent regional planner trips; and community happenings. 



Happy Planning,

Jen Czysz

IN THIS ISSUE

SRPC's Latest Videos and Job Postings

Planning Events of Interest

Partner Spotlight: Farmington

Grant Corner

Staff News: Goodbyes

Public Input Opportunities

Community Happenings  

Regional Planner Autumn Scott and former SRPC Senior Communications & Outreach Planner Shayna Sylvia catch up over lunch as they cross paths on UNH campus.

(SRPC photo)

On May 12^th, Staff will participate in an in-house “Public Speaking Bootcamp”. This workshop will be presented by Joseph Guarino of The Institute of Public Speaking. It will be a daylong session focusing on all the fundamentals of public speaking and promises to be a fun and interactive experience.

Reminder to review the 2022 Municipal Land Use Regulations Survey completed by the New Hampshire Office of Planning and Development (OPD). Submit any necessary corrections by June 1, 2023.

SRPC SEDS March 7

SRPC SEDS March 21

SRPC TAC Committee

Summer Intern

Interested in learning more about the planning profession, how data is collected and analyzed, and looking for a chance to prepare plans and reports?

A reminder that SRPC is still seeking a summer Data Collection Intern who will assist Geis and Davie with traffic counts, bicycle-pedestrian counts, and other data needs. Throughout the summer, the intern will also have the opportunity to network with existing staff in all SRPC program areas including economic development, housing, land use and environmental planning. Please reach out to Stephen or Mark with any questions.

Learn more or apply.

Due April 7

SNHPC Regional Climate Workshop –

Tuesday, April 11 from 8:30 - 11 a.m.

Join regional partners and the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission at their Climate Workshop on April 11th to brainstorm strategies for adapting our transportation infrastructure in the face of climate impacts. Speakers include professionals from the Federal Highway Administration, UNH Center for Infrastructure Resilience to Climate, The Nature Conservancy, Upper Valley Climate Adaptation Work Group, and Rockingham Planning Commission.

Register for the free event, online or in-person, here.

Recovery Housing Roundtable Forum –

Wednesday, April 12 from 9 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

This Recovery Housing Roundtable Forum will bring together stakeholders from around the state, as well as national experts, to discuss the challenges that recovery homes are facing in New Hampshire. The day will include a featured speaker, facilitated roundtable discussion, and a panel presentation, all of which will educate the audience on how these homes are vital for their residents and protected by the Fair Housing Act, but also provide opportunities for community members to share their insights about the challenges facing these homes (including fears and misconceptions), and solutions to those challenges.

Breakfast and lunch are included. Register for the in-person event here.

2023 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program & Policy Guide Webinar 2 –

Thursday, April 13 from 3 - 4 p.m.

This webinar will provide an overview of the new HMA Guide, including the update process, the public comment period, and highlights of changes for each chapter. The presentation will be followed by Q&A. The HMA Guide replaces the 2015 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance and Addendums.

Potential applicants interested in the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program should register for the webinar here.

Making Room for Solar Energy in NH –

Tuesday, April 18 from 8:30 - 11 a.m.

Register for Plan NH’s Spring Workshop, Making Room for Solar Energy in New Hampshire. This in-person workshop will focus on the why and how of renewable energy, including site selection considerations and the municipal perspective on solar solutions for commercial and industrial developments.

Cost: $25 members, $35 non-members. Register today.

(OPD) Planning Lunches at Noon (PLAN) Monthly Webinar Series “Congratulations, you're a Board Member Now! What's Next?” – Thursday, April 20 from noon - 1 p.m.

Join Stephanie N. Verdile, Principal Planner for the OPD who will provide some introductory and procedural information about the basics of planning and zoning in general, the purpose and role of planning and zoning boards.  Stephanie will also provide a kind of dictionary to help you navigate the often-used planning and zoning acronyms as well as tips on how to be a good board member.  This is geared for new board members as well as seasoned members that are interested in a refresher course.  

Registration for this webinar is open, please register by filling out this webinar registration form. You will receive a confirmation email from Microsoft Teams, which will include an attached calendar meeting that can be saved to your calendar (you may need to check your spam folder).  

NHDES Drinking Water Source Protection Conference –

Tuesday, May 16 from 9 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

NHDES will hold its 2023 Drinking Water Source Protection Conference on Tuesday, May 16, in-person, at the Army National Guard Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, NH. This year’s conference will feature presentations on:

• US EPA’s National Strategic Roadmap for PFAS.
• State legislative and Drinking Water Program Funding Updates.
• UNH research on the distribution and fate of PFAS in surface water.
• How to adopt municipal water use restriction codes applicable during drought. 
• Examples and partnerships to conserve critical water supply lands.
• Case studies on adopting effective local zoning that protects groundwater quality.
• Public water system monitoring and response to cyanobacteria blooms.

The conference fee is $45 and includes light refreshments/lunch. Register for the event at the American Groundwater Trust website.

2023 Local Solutions: Climate Migration –

Tuesday, May 16 - Wednesday May 17

This convening will be a culmination of the Northeast Safe and Thriving for All (NEST) project, funded by the NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships (formerly RISA) program to convene stakeholders to create an upper Northeast region that can become a climate refugia that is resilient, revitalized, socially just, and decarbonized.

Participants who attend can expect to:

• Learn how to begin proactive planning for climate migration for sending and receiving towns and cities;
• Develop knowledge of integrating equity into all climate migration work;
• Identify clear next steps for regional and local climate migration planning;
• Engage in peer-to-peer learning and networking;
• Establish a regional network of practitioners with a focus on climate migration in the northeast.

Register for the conference here, and checkout the special conference hotel rate here.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund - Due Apr. 12, 2023 

$140 million in grants are available for projects to create and restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species. NFWF prioritizes projects that are community led or incorporate direct community engagement and benefit underserved communities facing disproportionate harm from climate impacts. Projects should align with one of the following four categories:

1. Community capacity building and planning

2. Site assessment and preliminary design

3. Final design and permitting

4. Restoration implementation

Find more details on important dates and application requirements here.

EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Program - Notice of Intent by Apr. 28 (Municipalities)

The CPRG program will provide grants to states, territories, tribes, air pollution control agencies, and local governmental agencies to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. From a recent webinar EPA hosted it sounds like funding can be used for staffing, contracting, and community engagement. Future funding will be available for implementation.

Funding can go directly to local governments as long as they show collaboration across boundaries (region/country/etc.); the deadline to opt in is March 31. Program guidance is available online.

Details, registration, and a copy of the recording from the February 15 webinar are available here.

NH Council on the Arts Public Value Partnership Grants - Due Apr. 28

Public Value Partnerships for general operating support of nonprofit cultural organizations are an investment in the cultural infrastructure and creative economy of New Hampshire.

The creative economy is made up of artists, not-for-profit organizations and creative businesses that positively impact quality of life in communities, generate jobs and produce revenue for municipalities, cities and the state. Public Value Partnerships also ensure that the arts are available and accessible to all New Hampshire citizens.

A limited number of competitive and matching grants will be awarded to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that demonstrate excellence in planning, administration and programming. Grantees are expected to provide high quality and broadly accessible arts experiences, activities and services for New Hampshire citizens. They are also expected to promote the arts as integral to the local economy by developing and maintaining close relationships with other community-based organizations and businesses and policy makers.

Visit this link to learn more about this opportunity.

2023 PREPA Grant Program - Applications Due April 28

The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) invites proposals from municipalities, watershed groups, and partnering organizations within the Piscataqua Region Watershed for projects resulting in achievement or significant progress toward achievement of one or more of the proposed actions for their community identified in the 2020 Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment (PREPA), planning or regulatory projects to protect natural resources and/or water quality, or projects related to climate vulnerability, adaptation, and/or preparedness. Visit PREPA to review results by municipality from the 2020 assessment.

If you’d like to discuss a project idea, please contact Abigail Lyon (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu or (603) 862-3729).

Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership Land Conservation Transaction Costs Grant Program - Due May 5, 2023

The Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership (GBRPP) is offering grants to assist with land transaction costs for the permanent land protection projects in the coastal watershed area of New Hampshire and Maine. The Spring 2023 grant round will accept applications for both the Grant Program 1 Prospective Project Appraisals and Grant Program 2 Completed Project Transaction Costs.Electronic submittal instructions are found in the Application Instructions. Contact the Great Bay Coordinator with any questions.

Download the Spring 2023 Grant Program Information and Application Instructions (PDF) and Application Form (PDF). To receive the Application Form and Application Instructions in MS Word, contact the Great Bay Coordinator.

NHDES Coastal Resilience Grant - Due May 26, 2023 at 4 p.m. EDT.

To support coastal communities as they adapt to climate changes, the New Hampshire Coastal Program administers the Coastal Resilience Grants (CRG) Program, which provides funding for coastal community and habitat resilience projects. The CRG funding opportunity supports projects that build capacity, advance planning and develop designs to increase coastal resilience in one or more of New Hampshire’s Coastal Zone communities. Coastal Zone communities include Dover, Durham, Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Madbury, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rollinsford, Rye, Seabrook and Stratham.

The New Hampshire Coastal Program is accepting Coastal Resilience Grant (CRG) applications for community and habitat resilience projects. The deadline for CRG applications is Friday, May 26, 2023 at 4 PM EDT. Applications may be submitted via the web-based application form linked here.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant - Letter of Intent Due June 2, 2023

On March 15, 2023, President Biden declared a major disaster in New Hampshire as are result of the December 22 – 25, 2022, severe winter storm for the Counties of Belknap, Carroll, Coos and Grafton. In addition to authorizing Public Assistance (PA) for those four Counties, the declaration also implements the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) statewide, under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The purpose of HMGP is to provide funding for the implementation of cost-effective measures that reduce or eliminate damage and risk from the effects of natural disasters.

New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is requesting Letters of Intent (LOI) from Local Governments, Private Non-Profit Organizations and State Agencies that intend on applying for HMPG funds. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, property acquisitions, property elevations, localized flood risk reduction, and soil stabilization. Please reference the attached HMGP flyer for guidance. Once received, HSEM will review the LOIs for eligible projects and potential application submission. 

If your organization plans on participating in this program, please complete the attached Letter of Intent form no later than June 2, 2023. 

Baby Palooza

Last week, Principal Planner Kyle Pimental and Economic Recovery Coordinator Natalie Gemma welcomed new members to their respective families. SRPC is so excited for them!

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission is updating the Coordinated Public Transit & Human Services Transportation Plan for Southeast NH. The plan affects public transportation services that support residents of the region, including seniors and people with disabilities. The plan presents recommendations for improving public transportation and is required for the region to access federal funds that support regional transportation services.

A thirty-day public comment period begins on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 and runs through Thursday, April 20, 2023. A public hearing has been scheduled for Friday, April 21, 2023 at 9 AM at a meeting of the Strafford MPO Policy Committee. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Strafford MPO Public Participation Plan and state requirements.

Read the document and learn how to submit comments by referring to the public notice.

The public is invited to review and comment on a Draft Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) for the proposed New Hampshire Northcoast Infrastructure Project between Rollinsford, NH in Strafford County and Ossipee, NH in Carroll County. This grant will partially fund a variety of rail- related safety improvements along 42-miles of railroad corridor, including proposed repairs and upgrades to the Haven Hill Road Bridge in Rochester, Strafford County, NH (“Bridge’).

The Project has been determined to have an adverse effect on the Bridge, which is a historic property; the adverse effect will be resolved through the execution of a Section 106 MOA. A Draft Section 106 MOA has been developed to codify the resolution of adverse effects created by the Project. The FRA and NHN now seek public comment on the Draft Section 106 MOA and the Stipulations described within.

Refer to the public notice for more details and instructions on how to submit comments.

DOT staff gave demonstrations of traditional “tube” counts for new data collection staff, as well as demonstrations of Leetron camera counters. Leetron counters were invented by Terry Lee, a software engineer who resides in Concord. Lee is in discussion with the DOTs of over a dozen states about implementing his counters, including NHDOT. Geis (pictured) demonstrated SRPC’s ESRI Field Maps (formerly known as Collector) tool that has been instrumental in operating over 110 traffic counts in the region every summer. DOT data engineer Salma Sultana inquired about SRPC and the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission’s implementation of systemic bicycle-pedestrian counts in the coming years for both regions.

Sustainability Fair

Friday April 21, 4 - 7 p.m.

Join the Portsmouth Public Library and over 30 local organizations committed to combating climate change at the Portsmouth Sustainability Fair! This event will be held at the Connie Bean Recreation Center located behind the library on Friday, April 21 from 4-7 PM. All ages are encouraged to attend to learn more about local sustainability efforts and how to get involved on Earth Day and beyond! Free and no registration is required. Just drop in!

Seacoast Environmental Film Festival

Saturday April 22

The Seacoast Environmental Film Festival is a highly successful, day-long event held at the Kittery Community Center STAR Theatre, that brings together Seacoast area environmentalists, activists, educators, and interested filmgoers to watch and discuss award winning documentaries about critical environmental issues that are globally important and locally relevant. ​

Learn more and purchase tickets here.