William Johnson

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. I have been made aware of 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. In fact everyone in our State benefits from the ~$1B recreational industry that revolves around our healthy lakes. I 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.