Elisabeth CodySupportCenter Harbor, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
I am a member of the Squam Lakes Conservation Society, the Waukewan Watershed Association Committee, and the Center Harbor Conservation Commission. I support HB 334 because New Hampshire does not have a comprehensive plan for the use and protection of our water systems and landscapes. If we are to have a healthy economy, we must make sure that we have a healthy environment or we will lose our New Hampshire advantage to Maine and Vermont. Our lakes have already been threatened by Cyanobacteria. That threat will continue unless we act to preserve, protect and use wisely our natural resources. New Hampshire must have and deserves to have thoughtful, farsighted stewardship of our natural resources.
MATTHEW RHODESOpposeUnity, MEfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
My name is Matthew Rhodes , and I am a frequent visitor and hopeful resident of NH I am here to express my concerns regarding the proposed comprehensive plan.
While I understand the intent behind the comprehensive plan to address growth and development, I believe it presents several significant issues that could negatively impact our community.
1. Government Overreach
The comprehensive plan centralizes decision-making and imposes a one-size-fits-all approach to development. This could limit the ability of residents, local businesses, and property owners to make decisions that best fit their unique needs and circumstances. It shifts control from individuals and communities to bureaucratic agencies, reducing local autonomy and freedom.
2. Financial Burden
The plan’s implementation will likely come with substantial costs—both upfront and ongoing. Funding infrastructure, regulatory enforcement, and administrative oversight could lead to higher taxes or fees for residents. Many families and businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and this plan risks placing an unnecessary financial burden on them.
3. Loss of Property Rights
The comprehensive plan imposes restrictive zoning, land use regulations, and environmental mandates that could undermine property rights. These restrictions often reduce flexibility for landowners to utilize their property as they see fit, potentially devaluing their investments.
4. Economic Stagnation
Over-regulation and excessive planning often discourage economic growth. The constraints imposed by this plan could disincentivize businesses from investing or expanding in our community, leading to reduced opportunities for jobs and innovation.
5. Unintended Consequences
While the plan may have noble goals, such as sustainability and long-term growth, the unintended consequences could outweigh the benefits. Often, comprehensive plans fail to account for the complexity of economic, social, and environmental factors, leading to ineffective or harmful policies. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for responding to changing conditions, which rigid plans rarely allow.
6. Public Input and Transparency
Finally, I am concerned about the level of public input in shaping this plan. Have residents had adequate opportunities to review and weigh in on its provisions? Have their concerns been addressed meaningfully? Comprehensive plans often lack transparency and fail to represent the will of the majority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while I respect the effort that has gone into drafting this comprehensive plan, I believe it is not the right solution for our community. I urge this board to reconsider the plan and explore alternative approaches that respect local autonomy, protect property rights, and avoid financial and regulatory overreach.
Thank you for your time and for considering my concerns. I am happy to answer any questions.
Teresa BrooksOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
The state's development plan is already more than sufficiently comprehensive and is more than adequate to protect our state's natural resources. The vague objectives stated in this bill promotes wasteful expenditures and unnecessary regulatory expansion.
Susan RichmanSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
I support the updating of the comprehensive state development plan to include our wider understanding of threats to the health of our forest, bodies of water, wildlife habitats and farmland. It is of particular importance that HB334 recognizes the potential cumulative effects of contaminants to our land, air and water.
bruce berkSupportpittsfield, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Thomas CallahanSupportSunapee, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
This bill represents a proactive approach to protecting New Hampshire’s resources and beauty. It is the logic of taking care of something you care about rather than trying to repair it after you've neglected it.
Betsy CetronSupportNew London, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Important to protect our watershed and valuable ponds, lakes and riverways
Carol MeiseSupportBradford, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
NH needs comprehensive environmental legislation.
Stephen BarkerSupportSpringfield, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Adding these environmental provisions to the State Development Plan is an important step forward. This long view approach is vital to the future of NH as they help to preserve the state we know and love today for future generations.
Susan GormanSupportSunapee, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
The protection of our lakes and NH waters is of critical importance to the environment, property values, tourism. The development of sound policies is a good starting point.
Megan SchmittOpposeCONCORD, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Meredith HatfieldSupportConcord, NHfor The Nature ConservancyJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Sarah McCarthySupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Taci GuvenOpposeWindham, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Cheryl DeanOpposeNorthwood, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Patrick DoughtyOpposeBethlehem, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Nancy HerseyOpposeWolfeboro, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Julie SmithOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Carol FossSupportPenacook, NHfor NH AudubonJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Lynn GilbertSupportNewbury, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Daniel RichardsonSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Senator Debra AltschillerSupportSD 24, NHfor SD 24Jan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Janet LucasSupportCampton, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Katherine GordonSupportSunapee, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Curtis HowlandOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 22, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.