HB1477

I would be happy to pay for this permit in order to support the health of our lakes. Please vote yes.

Lakes in New Hampshire are increasingly under threat from cyanobacteria blooms, and it is essential to create more sources of funds to combat these blooms.

Our beautiful NH lakes must be adequately funded to combat detrimental cyanobacterial blooms.

We need to protect lakes in New Hampshire. They are a critical part of the state's economy.

This bill requires all anchored seasonal platforms, including inflatables, on public waters to obtain a $50 permit from the Department of Safety, Division of State Police Marine Patrol. Permit revenue is split evenly, with $25 going to the Navigation Safety Fund, which funds marine patrol operations and boating safety enforcement, and $25 to the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund. This bill strengthens boating and navigation safety by supporting marine patrol operations, while also creating a new, sustainable funding source to help communities address harmful cyanobacteria blooms. While the Department of Safety estimates it would need two additional staff to administer the program, the revenue from registering platforms across New Hampshire’s approximately 1,000 lakes is likely to far outweigh the added administrative costs.

Hi. Me again. For the same reasons as 1301, the resources necessary to address the health issues related to lake use simply must be enhanced. While I do not live on the lake myself, I have three personal friends who have suffered from neurological disorders related to their exposures to the unhealthy lake waters. I do use Squam Lake extensively with my grandchildren during the summers, and am anxious about their future activities there. (Do we need to remove to the Atlantic Ocean?) The Cyanobacteria problem is extremely evident and is worsening. Please make the changes necessary to support remedial actions. Thank you.

Testimony My name is Norm Royce. I’m a resident of Northwood, live on Northwood Lake, am retired from the Aerospace/Defense Industry and the past president of the Northwood Lake Watershed Association. I’m currently an elected member of the town Municipal Budget Committee, an appointed member of the Conservation Committee, and a Board member of NH LAKES. I’m very familiar with Cyanobacteria and the impact it has on the users of our lakes. The recommendation from NHDES when a Cyanobacteria bloom occurs is to close the lake for all water activities, resample in a week, and either stay closed or open the lake based on the sampling results. Cyanobacteria treatment, even in a small body of water, costs several hundred thousand dollars. The good news is that to apply for funds from NHDES, the waterbody must have a Watershed Management Plan in place. This means that the waterbody is being managed for root cause and preventive actions for Cyanobacteria. To just treat the waterbody without a thorough understanding of causes wouldn’t really solve the problem. In my town there are 7 lakes. Over the last several years there have been multiple outbreaks of Cyanobacteria blooms. I've had multiple property owners ask why this is occurring, and should they just sell their property. As President of the Northwood Lake Watershed Association, I wrote Warrant Articles for the three towns that have shoreline on Northwood Lake. These Warrant articles describe the need for education and prevention. I advise that treatment costs are much too expensive - the focus needs to be on root cause and preventive actions. These Warrant articles only provide a small amount of funds required. Please support HB1477. Cyanobacteria blooms can be addressed but it will require funding.

I support this bill to create a new , sustainable funding source to help NH lakes deal with Cyanobacteria blooms.

I think this bill will be important in supporting our marine patrol operations by strengthening boating and navigating safety. I realize that the Dept of Safety estimates 2 additional staff members are needed, It seems as if the revenue collected from registering platforms would more than cover this cost.

NH lakes are a gem! We need to protect our waterways. I live on Perkins Pond in Sunapee, NH. Cyanobacteria blooms have become more common, so lake associations need funds to mitigate these blooms. I also support funds going towards boating safety and marine patrol operations. Please vote in favor of HB1477.

Our lakes need protection and oversight. Their economic impact is immense.

I think it is important that we learn more about controlling Cyanobacteria blooms across the state. When there is a bloom it is costly on the state and communities to get it under control. The extra money from this bill would help education and elimination. I also think it is important to fund boating and navigation safety. Thank you,

Must keep the spread of cyanobacteria under control at all costs and support navigation safety .

Anchored seasonal platforms are proliferating on NH lakes and ponds. It is appropriate to require a permit for them and to charge a modest fee that will improve navigational safety and strengthen efforts to prevent/reduce harmful cyanobacteria blooms. Cyanobacteria blooms are a real threat to NH's tourism economy, recreational opportunities and property values. The State should continue to help lake and pond associations to prevent/reduce these blooms through the Cyanobacteria Fund. Users of seasonal platforms are significant beneficiaries of healthier, safer lakes and ponds and a $50 permit fee is just and reasonable.

Neonictinoid treated seeds can leach the poison into groundwater .Limiting the use of such protects the lakes natural ecosystems.

I strongly support this bill as it provides funding to improve both water safety and water quality. Everyone who enjoys the beauty of our pristine lakes should share in the responsibility of caring for them. Living on Lake Sunapee I see many examples of irresponsible boaters, either through ignorance or intent, who need to be better educated on safe and accountable boating. Currently our marine patrol is seriously understaffed and this bill will aid is financing additional staff. The importance of studying cyanobacteria and looking for solutions to this increasing danger to our lakes cannot be underestimated. Our lakes are an invaluable resource and ensuring their long term health is imperative. This bill will help fund these efforts. Again I strongly support this bill and ask for your support as well. Thank you for listening.

We desperately need more funding for Marine Patrol and for the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Fund. This is an easy and pretty painless way to get more funds. The number of rafts floated on our lakes has increased dramatically in the last 10 years making access to some shores are like an obstacle course. Perhaps with this fee, people might share their rafts rather than each house having one or two of their own.

I support this bill because New Hampshire’s lakes are vital public assets that attract visitors and new residents, driving economic growth that supports our businesses, schools, and communities. As our state grows, attracting new residents also strengthens the workforce needed for both small and large businesses to thrive. Requiring anchored seasonal platforms, including inflatables, to obtain a modest $50 permit is a reasonable way to manage increased use of public waters. The permit revenue supports marine patrol operations, boating safety enforcement, and cyanobacteria mitigation, helping protect both public safety and water quality. This balanced approach preserves our lakes for current and future generations.

I support this bill presuming it’s made clearer that only items fixed and not moved during the season are applicable (eg a floating island that is installed at the beginning of a season and not removed until the end). This should not apply to rafts and floats that are tethered to a dock and untied from time to time to be used on a boat or out on the lake. Thank you.

My wife and I support HB 1477 which requires a $50 permit for anchored seasonal platforms, including inflatables. The revenues will be split evenly between the Navigation Safety Fund and the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund. We live on Silver Lake in Madison which experienced its first toxic Cyanobacteria bloom in September, 2023. We moved to New Hampshire in 2016. At that time, there weren’t any recorded toxic cyanobacteria blooms on Silver Lake nor do we recall seeing any anchored seasonal platforms on the lake. We kayak on the lake from ice out into November. Anchored inflatables have become common since 2016 ranging from swimming pads to trampolines to 20 foot diameter swans to massive modular systems with slides and even climbing walls. These inflatables negatively impact the health of the lake by blocking sunlight killing off plants beneath them which provide oxygen and food for fish; discourage habitats for animals like loons and smallmouth bass; negatively effect tourism and property values for those seeking the pristine nature experience expected in New Hampshire. Please support the bill to provide resources to fund efforts to combat cyanobacteria and keep our NH lakes healthy and pristine.

NH Marine Patrol needs the additional support that HB1477 provides along with a new sustainable funding source to address cyanobacterial blooms. Additional Marine Patrol presence on our lakes is needed for water recreation safety and compliance. Anchored seasonal platforms on our waters need more official scrutiny.

Permitting rafts ("seasonal platforms") permits the Dept of Safety and Marine Patrol to know where all rafts are and who owns them. Having half the revenue go to cyano mitigation will help protect our lakes from this threat. I am a farf owner and glad to pay this fee to support both reasons for establishing it.