One hundred years ago the North Country faced a pivotal moment. Our forebears united across boundaries of geography, politics, and financial interests to win passage of the Weeks Act, which led to the creation of the White Mountain National Forest. Their actions guaranteed that the forest – the economic, ecological, and spiritual foundation of the region – would remain. They had a bold idea and audacious vision.

 One hundred years later, what is our bold vision? 

This question will be discussed as part of the Weeks Centennial Celebration, White Mountains Cultural Festival: Eight Days of Weeks.  ACT and the Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire (AANNH) are hosting the discussion on Saturday, August 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the home of ACT trustee Rosalind Page and Tom Simpson in Lisbon overlooking Pearl Lake. Wine and light fare will be served.

Well known author Nathaniel Tripp of Barnet, Vt. will lead the discussion. His most recent book, Confluence, focuses on the Connecticut River. According to a review in the Valley News, ”This is a powerful book. It will work on your psyche the way a really good poem does. Mainly what will stick with you though is the author’s powerful, articulate voice, at times kind and humorous, at times outraged.”

The question of what the future holds for the North Country is addressed by ACT Executive Director in the essay “The Rediscovery of the North Country.” The essay may be downloaded here.

Space is limited and reservations are required.  For an optional donation of $60 is requested, $100 for couples, you will receive a  limited-edition hard-cover copy of the new book Beyond the Notches: Stories of Place in New Hampshire’s North Country.” Please call ACT at 603-823-7777 or e-mail us at rbrown@aconservationtrust.org  for directions and reservations.

Margo Connors, representing Sugar Hill Select Board and Conservation Commission

The town of Sugar Hill is concerned that there may be serious negative environmental impacts associated with the proposed NP Transmission line, which would pass through our community. Our town presently has 7 miles of existing ROW with a single row of towers carrying AC lines. This ROW is projected to be widened from its current cut width of 150 feet to a minimum width of 225 feet with the new HVDC towers added. We ask that you give serious consideration to the points we raise in order to provide our town the fullest protection possible from the EIS phase of the permitting process.

Sugar Hill developed a series of maps in 2008 that show the town’s most valued natural resources. The Selectmen and Conservation Commission have examined the proposed Northern Pass route against our natural resource co-occurrence maps and we believe that the following factors should be addressed in the Department of Energy environmental impact study. It is important that the EIS consider the inherent physical changes brought by  towers, lines and clearing of the right of way, the electromagnetic field generated by the proposed power line as well as the noise.

1.Conservation Land – The Northern Pass proposed ROW impacts 6 conservation land easements, including the Sugar Hill Town Forest, which constitutes about half the conserved acreage in town. We are too small to absorb that blow. We ask that the study evaluate habitat fragmentation and specifically the impact of the power line on wildlife corridors, bird nesting environments, and mammal reproduction on these conserved lands.

NP also cuts through 2 large un-fragmented land parcels that are shared with the town of Lisbon (Streeter Pond and Gale River areas) as well as the towns of Easton and Landaff (the Coal Hill area).  We ask that DOE consider the intent of conserved land, that is, to preserve land in its natural state and address the question of whether the presence of industrial infrastructure negatively impacts its conservation value.

2. Water Resources – The proposed power line would impact half the length of the Salmon Hole Brook and it would cross the Gale River.  The Right of Way would cross or abut large areas of hydric soils and wetlands. It could negatively impact amphibians and vernal pools and migratory waterfowl on the Gale River and Streeter Pond. It would impact the riparian zones in the northern and western sections of town. The EIS should address all of these features of wetlands impacts.

3. Forest – The NP Power Line would impact a significant portion of Sugar Hill forest land, fragmenting tracts, disrupting wildlife, altering communities,  and reducing the many benefits our town derives from un-fragmented forest. The EIS should evaluate the total effect on forest land.

4. Recreation – We ask that you evaluate the impact of the proposed line on our recreational trails, lands and waterways that are currently used by school groups, the historical museum, the library, 4-H, the tri-town recreation program, hikers, skiers, fishermen and year round tourists.  Recreation land is one of the major facets of our economy. So we specifically ask that you assess the visual and the auditory impact of these proposed lines.

5. Farmland – We fear that the power line will reduce farm development in Sugar Hill. The proposed line crosses areas of prime agricultural soil and existing farms. It would reduce the potential for new farms by fragmenting parcels and cause concern for the health and wellbeing of livestock (danger, noise, electromagnetic effects, etc.). It has also come to our attention that electric and magnetic fields can negatively impact soil bacteria. These factors should be included in the EIS.

6. Public Safety, Public Health, Accidents – would PSNH be able to handle the bisecting of towns and interstate highways if there were downed overhead lines in severe weather or natural disasters? What are the health risks associated with HVDC lines? We have learned that childhood leukemia and brain cancer have been associated with this form of transmission. We also fear that the constant noise emitted by these lines pose a risk to health and well-being.

We urge the US Department of Energy to carefully look at these issues and consider all of the alternatives  to Northern Pass.  Does importing this power benefit Sugar Hill or NH? Is it needed? Should it be built at all?

On March 8, 2011 the town of Sugar Hill voted unanimously to oppose Northern Pass at its annual Town Meeting. It is the town’s responsibility to preserve our community for future generations.

Statement by Rebecca Brown

I’m Rebecca Brown. I live in Sugar Hill, and I am representing myself and my organization, the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, which is the North Country’s regional land conservancy.

Like many people, when I first heard about the Northern Pass proposal I preformed a mental calculus of pros and cons. Pros: renewable, low cost energy, suposedly with low carbon impact. Cons: huge towers going through my front yard. Conclusion: For the greater good we’ve all got to sacrifice or at least compromise a little to get “green” power. I’d live with the towers.

I was wrong. It is clear to me now, with more information, that Northern Pass is wrong for the North Country, wrong for New Hampshire, wrong for the economy, and wrong for the environment.  No alternatives would make it right for New Hampshire. In terms of public benefits, technology, economy, and public policy, this project does not add up.

It is now well known (from PSNH itself) that New Hampshire does not need power from Hydro-Québec. Northern Pass does not represent a public policy initiative. It is a private, corporate market share initiative. The greatest beneficiary of this project (after Hydro-Québec) is Public Service of New Hampshire. PSNH has been losing market share for years. It is a failing corporation. Northern Pass represents a last gasp effort to boost its revenues, at the expense of our region. Northern Pass is like a private toll road cut through the heart of the North Country – a toll road with no exits and no on ramps. We would not receive the power, nor could we use the lines to export our locally generated power.

Northern Pass unplugs incentives for locally produced biomass energy in the North Country. Biomass plants are teetering on shutting down. These plants employ our North Country people, using wood chips transported by our truckers, from trees cut by our loggers, in forests marked by our foresters, on land owned by North Country people who need financial return in order to manage their forests for the long term.  In return, Northern Pass predicts temporary construction jobs, with no guarantee that hiring is local.

The Department of Energy should require a detailed analysis of the impact of Northern Pass on other energy alternatives including biomass and wind.

Northern Pass is dangling financial incentives for local communities. For cash strapped towns and taxpayers, this may appear an enticing carrot. But long term, these transmission lines are sure to cost towns and taxpayers far more than increased revenue provided upfront. The tax losses from abatements for severely diminished property values, the real estate sales and investment in new or improved homes that will not take place because of this devaluing, plus the ripple effect of these losses in economic activity, may far exceed additional revenues from the lines, especially as line values depreciate.

The Department of Energy should require an expert, objective analysis of the economic impact of the transmission lines.

In conclusion, Northern Pass represents yesterday’s technology trying to solve tomorrow’s needs.  Many energy experts describe a host of innovations in use now, coming to market, or in design that significantly improve the efficiency and lessen the environmental impact of power generation and transmission. It is likely that within a few decades, these enormous towers will be relics of a bygone era. Yet their scar on our landscape will continue. Therefore, while there are studies the DOE might do, I urge the Department take no action on this permit application. It is the wrong project, the wrong place, and the wrong time.

Thank you.

Statement by Chris Thayer

Thank you for this opportunity to provide public comment. My name is Chris Thayer. My wife Wendy and I along with our two boys 4 year old Tucker and 16 month old Riley live on Hadley Road in Sugar Hill. Our home of 9 years complete with small frog pond, wildlife paths, and organic garden lies on the preferred route planned for the Northern Pass Power Transmission Project as it passes through our town on existing ROW. We stand in opposition to the project as currently proposed for the following reasons:

* The expansive metal towers ranging in height from 90 to 135 feet tall will scar the scenic landscape of our town and region affecting quality of life, diminishing

property values and town tax bases and our reputation as a scenic rural destination.

I respectfully request the Department of Energy to evaluate all project alternatives including that of no action that allows our northern region to retain the natural assets that have been the lifeblood of local citizens and the source of inspiration and spiritual renewal for all over countless generations.

* The taller towers proposed for carrying the high voltage direct current aerial

transmission lines will necessitate widening existing ROWs including the possible use of eminent domain to do so – and will allow for additional capacity in the future. I respectfully request the Department of Energy and related federal agencies to perform due diligence in studying the impacts to wildlife, wetlands, forest resources, communities, and recreation areas along the proposed routes including most significantly the White Mountain National Forest – a public land area with more annual visitation than Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks combined.

* Information to date concerning the project has been incomplete, troubling, or at best inaccurate including the estimate of permanent jobs created, estimates of electricity cost reductions to rate payers, estimates of tax payments to towns by utilities, and the presentation of the overall project as ʻgreenʼ energy aimed at meeting the stateʼs carbon reduction goals. I respectfully request the Department of Energy to set the standard for an open, and transparent process that ensures the public interest is on equal footing with corporate interests.

* Published health affects of living on or near high voltage direct current aerial

transmission lines are alarming including higher risks associated with childhood

leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in adults – our local Profile High School lies directly on the preferred transmission route affecting the children of our entire tri-town region. I respectfully request the Department of Energy to perform due diligence in studying and reporting on the full affects of such transmission lines on surrounding populations and communities including proposals for mitigation as accomplished elsewhere in the US and Europe.

* The proposed project does not consider 21st century solutions aimed at protecting the regionʼs heritage, scenic landscape, and people while providing a model for energy transmission in the United States – in short burying the lines as is currently being done elsewhere in the Northeast should be final consideration. I respectfully request the Department of Energy to challenge those involved in the proposal of this project to put energy innovation and community benefit before shareholder value or profit.

On behalf of my family and along with others in our community and surrounding North Country region, we stand firmly against this project as presented and ask that this public process produce a result that serves the best interests of the state of New Hampshire and those of us who are lucky enough to call it home.

“I joined the board for the same reason we conserved our land,” Tony says. “I want to continue in the best way I can to help ACT achieve its goals of protecting habitat for wildlife and land for people. This work has to happen all over the world, and we can’t just talk about it, we have to do something about it.”

Early in his career, Tony was a merchant marine. After leaving the sea and settling in the mountains, he established himself as one of this region’s tireless advocates for conserving natural resources. He founded the Littleton Energy Conservation Committee and was a co-founder of the Littleton Transfer Station, which he managed for 19 years. Ilacqua served on the N.H. Waste Management Council as well as the North East Resource Recovery Association Board of Trustees.

Rufus Perkins is ACT’s board president. Rufus is a retired economist with Arthur D. Little, Inc., working extensively in the Middle East and Europe. Perkins and his brother and sister conserved their family property on Bronson Hill in Sugar Hill with ACT in 2009. The land is permanently conserved for public use and enjoyment, and offers some of the most splendid views of the Franconia Range to be found. Rufus is an avid cross-country and downhill skier, and enjoys the all the many activities of maintaining his land.

Vice president is Chuck Phillips of Franconia. Chuck is a principal/partner with Sapience Organizational Consulting. He works with corporate and not-for-profit clients, including international environmental organizations, on strategic change management, improvement initiatives, and training and development. He is an ardent traveler, birder, photographer, and fly angler.

Christine Latulip,  who has worked more than 30 years in community banking, is ACT’s treasurer. Chris is currently vice president at Union Bank. She describes her board work as a personal quest to link for-profit business acumen with non-profit ideals. She also serves as treasurer of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. in Littleton. Chris is a proud member of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Four Thousand Footer Club.

Secretary of ACT is Lynn Kenerson of Sugar Hill. Lynn has lived in the North Country since 1994, working for the ski school at Cannon Mountain and raising her family. The Sugar Hill Conservation Commission was her introduction to volunteering for local non-profits. She has also served as an officer of the Lafayette Regional PTO, and is a founder of the Gale River Cooperative Preschool. Lynn has been a member of ACT’s board since 2000. She and her extended family were among the founding members/contributors to ACT.

ACT’s other board members are James Seidel, Ned Cutler, Doug Evelyn, Marghie Seymour, and Rosalind Page. Seidel spent a long career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and he serves on the Lyman Conservation Commission. Cutler, who serves on the Easton Conservation Commission, restores and refinishes furniture. In a previous life Seymour ran the Littleton Transfer Station, and she is now an attorney. Page runs a land surveying business. She and her partner, Tom Simpson, conserved a portion of their land on Pearl Lake in Lisbon with ACT. Evelyn and his wife Martha, who live in Sugar Hill, donated family land to ACT in 2007. Evelyn is retired from heading operations at the Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., but continues to consult on a variety of museum projects around the world.

One of  the  biggest obstacles we faced is that it is simply a very challenging and uncertain time for many. People continue to look for ways to reduce their spending – understandably. The other big obstacle was timing. Experience around the state pretty consistently shows that successful land conservation bond votes typically take a good year of organizing and communication before earning town meeting approval. In this case we had about three short months, including the holiday season, but that’s the way the deal came down.

At the town meeting, there were many people who were listening to the details about the town forest proposal for the first time. Many of them voted against it. I was very pleased to learn, however, that several residents who had come to all of the informational sessions and asked many tough questions, ended up supporting the bond. We appreciate the landowning family’s willingness to work with us, and are grateful to the residents of Lyman for carefully considering this opportunity.

There may be other ways to conserve this great land – we’ve got our thinking caps on and will let you know…if anyone out there is interested in a prime conservation buying opportunity, be in touch!

The Town Forest Opportunity

The residents of Lyman, N.H. (pop. 547) have the opportunity to purchase a major part of what gives their town its character. The Gardner Mountain range is the backdrop of town when looking to the west. It is land that generations of residents have enjoyed for hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, and exploring. The 1,100-acre property on the Gardner Range ridgeline is 99% forested and has an extensive woods road system as a result of being managed as commercial timberland. The property includes critical wildlife habitat identified by the N.H. Fish and Game Department.  The parcel was proposed for a wind energy development in 2004, which the town rejected. In the Lyman Master Plan, residents named Gardner Mountain as one of the key places in town to conserve.

The family of the late landowner wants to sell the property, and following his wishes, has offered it first to the town. The landowner had started a quiet conversation back in 2006 about potential town ownership. ACT was first contacted at that time about devising a way to take advantage of this opportunity. But the landowner died unexpectedly, and it took until last year to settle his estate. His family approached the town again, and the Board of Selectmen asked several citizens to assemble more information about the opportunity.

Evidence of Gardner Mountain's mining past.

Working with the citizen volunteers,  ACT enlisted the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national organization that specializes in assembling financing for large conservation projects. The property was analyzed for wildlife, water quality, recreational, timber, and other conservation attributes, and an appraisal was made.

With this information in hand, the select board endorsed the project and gave TPL the go-ahead to enter into a purchase and sales agreement, contingent on the funds being raised from a variety of sources. The property would be set up as a town forest with a conservation easement held by ACT to forever protect its natural values and guarantee public access.

Lyman voters will be asked to support the  acquisition by approving a $346,000 bond  at March town meeting. The purchase price is $865,000, based on the appraisal. From outside funding sources, over half of this amount has already been raised. The project has won major grants from New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program and the Fifteen Mile Falls Mitigation and Enhancement Fund.

In the 19th century Gardner Mountain was alive with the sounds of mining. Lyman is in the heart of what was once called the Ammonoosuc Gold District. Today the big find in the mines are bats. The Paddock Mine on Gardner Mountain is home to the second largest population of bats in New Hampshire. Bats are under a huge amount of stress right now because of habitat loss and more severely, a disease called white-nose syndrome. They are most susceptible in their hibernation places, where they need their rest. Please do not enter or disturb the mines! But you can take a virtual tour, through photos taken last summer, by following the link below….

You can see more photos of the mines here.

Last evening I attended a session sponsored by the Connecticut River Joint Commission, whose job it is to study the Connecticut River, to hear the science behind river protection. The study of rivers is called Fluvial Geomorphology and by the end of the evening I  had a new appreciation for the scientists that spend their lives studying the rivers. The fundamentals of river behavior and the general principles of fluvial geomorphology are sedimentation, hydraulics, restoration, fish habitat improvement, riparian grazing management, and streambank erosion. Problem solving techniques for watershed management, riparian assessment, fish habitat structure evaluation, stream restoration, non-point source pollution and the integration of ecosystem concepts into watershed management are the outcomes of this kind of serious study.

As you can well imagine, it turns out that water will make its own path regardless of how man has tried to train  or confine it to new barriers. The ripple effect of changing the flow of water at one point works its way back to the point of original tampering. It has been estimated that over one third of the Connecticut River’s 85 mile stretch from Pittsburg, NH to Dalton, NH has been manipulated by man. In the 1800’s, when logging was the primary industry, the river was straightened to prevent log jams. Water powered mills popped up to take advantage of no cost power. The railroads also played a part in moving the water’s course to reduce the cost of building bridges over meandering streams.

Slowly, over time, the river has worked to regain control over its original path. Seems we could all take a lesson from the fluvial geomorphologists. Let’s get with the flow and stop operating our lives from a place of fear, shake it up, let’s have some fun!