Lamprey River: 2007 Annual Report

Like the Packers Falls Bridge, the LRAC seeks to connect people to the river.

Photo by Ecophotography

LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2007

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee (LRAC) was formed when the Lamprey was designated first as a NH State-protected river, and later, almost half the river became part of the National Wild and Scenic River program. Representatives from Epping, Lee, Durham, and Newmarket meet on the second Tuesday of each month. The meetings are open to the public and are usually held at the LRAC office in the Millpond Center in Durham at 7 p.m. The LRAC has a long range management plan and works with the four towns and appropriate agencies to carry out specific objectives annually. More information about the LRAC is forthcoming. Our accomplishments for fiscal year 2006-7 are listed below.

Management Plan Updated

The 1995 plan has been updated incorporating comments from boards and committees in each of the four towns. It is available at our website.

Land Conserved

We have made significant additions to the protection of riverfront land largely through the assistance of two land protection specialists. We purchased a conservation easement on 28 acres of the Burrows property in Durham near the Wiswall Dam. An agreement has been made with the Dow family of West Epping to add 70 acres and 3,3355 feet of riverfront to the Lamprey River Forest, with the assistance of $50,000 from the town of Epping. In Lee, the Wellington family land is also under agreement through our partnership with the Wetlands Reserve Program. The Clark family in Epping added to a previous easement by donating an additional conservation easement on 62 floodplain acres along the river.

Recreation Access

We are nearing completion of a tour guide for the river from West Epping through Newmarket in cooperation with the four towns. We will work with the towns to add kiosks, specific trail maps, historical information, etc.. The LRAC has purchased a small strip of land along the river on Highway #152 in Lee which will be turned over to the town for recreational purposes.

Water Issues

As the towns in the watershed grow, there is increased attention on the Lamprey to augment town water supplies. The LRAC continues to be involved with Durham to help initiate an effective water conservation program. One example of this has been helping the town send out toilet leak detection kits in the town’s water bills. The Town of Newmarket is also beginning to look at using water from the Lamprey to augment its wells.

In addition, the LRAC is contributing its research and knowledge to the development of the state’s Instream Flow Study which is under way to determine how to protect the river’s flow levels while accommodating public and private water needs. LRAC members serve both on the Technical Review and the Watershed Management Planning Advisory Committees.

Ecological Issues

The LRAC has hired expert David Carroll to walk the river to more fully document turtle habitat and activity, comparing it to previous surveys. This information will be added to a GIS wildlife map and database that we are creating with the help of the New Hampshire Audubon Society.

The LRAC and the Lamprey River Watershed Association have begun to tackle eradication of Japanese knotweed at Wadleigh Falls. The Watershed Association will be conducting a river survey next summer providing information for a more comprehensive invasive species program.

The LRAC has met with Epping officials to assist in planning improvements with drainage and invasives eradication along the river near the Town Hall.

Outreach and Education

LRAC has presented our exhibit at several fairs and gatherings including the statewide watershed conference. The exhibit includes a popular “Name the Turtle” chart. We have updated our two brochures with current information and they are now available on our website. We continue to offer our "Lamprey River Curriculum" for all grades and our book, "The Story of Peter Little Bear, a Lamprey River Adventure". The book is available at town offices in Lee, Newmarket, Durham, and Epping. All publications are also available from Sharon Meeker at 659-5441.

Goals for 2008

Complete the Lamprey River Tour Guide and have copies available in the four towns.
Assist the towns with necessary improvements, kiosks, etc. on properties along the Tour.
Work with towns to develop a program to control invasive species.
Consolidate all our wildlife studies and related material into an easily accessible format.
Work to improve drainage and run-off control issues where needed.
Acquire conservation easements on more land that is undeveloped along the river.
Continue to work with towns and the University of New Hampshire to develop water use policies that aid water conservation.
Work with appropriate town committees to develop historical and archeological information.
Continue to analyze and comment on plans for development that affect the river.

Committee Members

Lee: Sharon Meeker, Kitty Miller
Epping: Kevin Martin, Chair
Newmarket: Sara Callaghan, Fred Pearson
Durham: Richard Kelley, Cynthia Belowski, Jim Hewitt, Dick Lord, William Hall
At Large: Brian Giles
National Park Service: Jamie Fosburgh, Julie Isbill