Isabella Peters

Hello Committee Members, Many of the arguments I would have made if I could attend today will most definitely come upon the hearing - so I’ll keep this short. It’s clear according to our maps, state seal, Raleigh ship, and legal history that NH owns the harbor and Badgers and Seavey islands. We should control our naval shipyard. As a NH enthusiast, I’d argue we’re better to manage this land and sea than Maine regardless of the fact that it is already legally proven to belong to us. We are an incredible state with the first constitution emphasizing our original claim to run this land in an organized and meaningful way. Think of the revenue we would gain. This is not a partisan issue, and NH really isn’t much of a partisan state. For the about 40% independents, for the republicans, for the democrats, for the libertarians, for all the other third parties, and for the isolationists - this is something we should all care about as New Hampshirites. The lobsters are ours ?? The naval shipyard is ours ?? This very small part East Coast is OURS ?? The concern we should address is that this is where Maine dumps much nuclear waste - a permanent devastation to our waters. This is of course something we’d have to deal with, but better is than Maine if it’s effecting our citizens on the coast! We need to make sure we keep our small patch of ocean clean and sustainable. Look at the map - Maine has an expansive coastline while NH has this one tiny stretch on our corner. For those of us Granite Staters who enjoy the beach and ocean activities, this small area is crucial to maintain. Let’s stop allowing Maine to poison our sea creatures and citizens! We must take back what’s ours.