Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Public Meeting: July 23, 2019

CONTACT:
Cory Riley, 603-868-1095
Kelle Loughlin, 603-778-7398
July 17, 2019

DURHAM, NH – The public is invited to provide input on the programs and activities of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, as managed by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, at a public meeting to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH.

Great Bay was designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) site in 1989, making it the 18th estuary in the United States to join the system. As a federal/state partnership, Reserves are committed to the long-term research, education, and stewardship of valuable estuarine resources. The Great Bay Research Reserve operates under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the authority of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) The Great Bay NERR is a partnership between The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NH Fish and Game. NOAA conducts an evaluation of all National Estuarine Research Reserves in the country every 5-10 years to ensure adherence to the program mission as set out in the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. As a part of this evaluation, an evaluation team led by NOAA is visiting New Hampshire from July 23-25. It is important that the evaluators have the opportunity to talk with the people and organizations we work with to gather information and perspectives on what GBNERR is doing well and where we can improve.

Written comments about the Great Bay Research Reserve are encouraged, and participation at the public meeting is not required for submission. Written comments should be sent no later than Friday, August 2, 2019, to Susie Holst Rice, University of New Hampshire, 35 Colovos Rd., Gregg Hall, Room 142, Durham, NH 03842 or via email to susie.holst@noaa.gov.

The opportunity for public comment is required by the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, as part of the federal performance evaluation of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.