Sarah Doucette

Testimony HB 707: Requiring the department of environmental services to establish a site-specific setback distance for proposed new landfills. Sarah & Roger Doucette February 3, 2025 Greetings Chairwoman Aron and NH House Agriculture and Environment Committee Members, Seeing the bipartisan sponsorship of HB 707 and knowing of the committee’s strong work in the past for safe, site-specific setback distances for proposed new landfills, we hope you will welcome the chance to advance this bill. The record shows that the newly enacted Env-Sw 800 rules disappointed everyone except those aligned with industry interests. NH DES ignored overwhelmingly damning professional, public and legislative comments highlighting the dangers of the new rules, particularly regarding soil types at landfill sites, time of travel of spills and leaks, and timeline mandates that can allow for remediation when toxins are inadvertently released at landfills. The new rules stand out among those of other states and countries for allowing exceptionally irresponsible and perilous landfill development throughout the state. In December 2024, as they expressed concern over inadequate regulations, the JLCAR nonetheless allowed the Env.-Sw 800 rules to be enacted—AND they advised legislative action to remedy their inadequacies. Now is the time for such action, and that action is urgent. We hope you will work diligently, once again, to send an OTP recommendation on HB 707 to the full House. Many thanks for your initiatives and your service on behalf of our environment, public health and vibrant NH community life, Best regards, Sarah and Roger Doucette Whitefield, NH