Nina Kelly

While HB 1655 is estimated to raise about $3 million per year, the state’s dam program needs closer to $16 million annually to keep up with ongoing operation, maintenance, and repair needs. We recognize the work lawmakers have done over many years to study dam funding and explore solutions. But HB 1655 places too much of the responsibility on waterfront property owners, rather than creating a fair, statewide approach that reflects the many groups who benefit from state-owned dams. We urge lawmakers to continue working on this issue and to work with a broad range of stakeholders to develop a stable, equitable funding solution that matches the scale of need and protects New Hampshire’s lakes, communities, and local economies.