Melissa Sullivan

Under the proposed Shorefront Property Fee, municipalities would assess $100 per year for properties with waterfront access and $50 per year for properties with deeded water access, with all revenue directed to the state’s Dam Maintenance Fund. The bill is expected to generate about $3 million annually. 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. 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. 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.