Michele L Tremblay

Dear Chair Harb and Members of the Committee, The Rivers Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) is writing to express its support of Senate Bill 592, which allows regional planning commissions to include habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors in their plans. The RMAC supports this bill because • Rivers are wildlife corridors, providing habitat for aquatic species and resources to non-aquatic species; • Rivers cross municipal boundaries, yet downstream reaches are reliant on the management practices conducted upstream; and • Regional planning to maintain these essential habitats and corridors is essential for consistency throughout the river reaches. The RMAC is a legislatively created body charged to work with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to administer RSA 483, the Rivers Management and Protection Program. The Governor and Council appointed Committee is composed of members from business, agriculture, hydroelectric, municipal government, water supply, conservation, recreation, fish and game, and historical interests. Should you have any questions regarding our testimony in support of SB 592, feel free to contact me at 603.796.2615 or MLT@naturesource.net. Sincerely, Michele L. Tremblay, Chair ec: Senators Watters, Rosenwald, Birdsell, Avard, Perkins Kwoka and Altschiller and Representatives Harvey, Bixby and Ouellet RMAC Representatives Robert R. Scott, Commissioner, NHDES