John Gilbert

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Findings and Recommendations: NH 2012 Water Sustainability Commission Report

New Hampshire Lives on Water

John Gilbert Past Chair, NH Water Sustainability Commission President, Synchrony Advisors, LLC

New Hampshire Water Sustainability Commission www.nh.gov/water-sustainability/

Commission’s Vision for NH’s Water Future

Overview  Commission’s purpose  Why a Water Sustainability Commission?

 Findings  Goals

 Moving forward

Commission Background  Established by Executive Order 2011-02 in April 2011.  14 members representing diverse interests.  Charge: Identify strategies to ensure NH’s water resources in 25 years are as good as or better than today.

Why Water Sustainability?

© 2011 Sustainable Measures www.sustainablemeasures.com

A Complex Challenge  Human activity can harm

water quality & availability

 Large investments needed

in infrastructure

 Balance public resource

and private property rights

Findings 1. More education is needed. 2. Manage water as a single resource. 3. Over 80% of water pollution is from

stormwater and wastewater. 4. $2.9 billion needed for water infrastructure. 5. Increasing extreme weather events.

Goals 1. Engaged public. 2. Support human and 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

environmental needs. Integrated watershed management. Sustainable infrastructure funding. Reduced water pollution. Adaptability to extreme weather. Adequate funding to manage water.

Goal 1  Knowledgeable & engaged consumers &

stewards of our water resources

Goal 2  Flexible & coordinated water

management programs & practices

Goal 3  Management & planning integrated at

state, watershed & sub-watershed levels

Goal 4  Infrastructure will protect human &

environmental health & safety affordably.

Goal 5  Runoff and the pollution it carries will be

minimized & effectively managed.

Goal 6  Resilient & adaptable watersheds,

communities, and built infrastructure

Goal 7  Adequate funding to manage water

resources effectively & efficiently.

Ensuring NH’s Water Future 1. Fully engaged public 2. Strengthened partnerships 3. Flexible policies & programs 4. Good information

Where Do We Go From Here?  Create a Water Advisory Task Force  Public awareness & engagement initiative

Most importantly…

For more information: http://www.nh.gov/water-sustainability/