“Significantly alter the characteristics of the terrain” means to undertake any activity anywhere in the state that changes or disturbs the terrain so as to impede the natural runoff or create an unnatural runoff. Examples of activities that significantly alter the characteristics of the terrain include, but are not limited to:

1. (a) Timber harvesting operations as covered by RSA 485-A:17, IV;
2. (b) Earth moving activities that result in a temporary or permanent disturbance of an area that, over a 10 year period, cumulatively exceeds 100,000 square feet of area or cumulatively exceeds 50,000 square feet of area, as calculated in accordance with Env-Wq 1503.12, if any portion of the disturbance is within the protected shoreland as defined in RSA 483-B:4; or

3. (c) Earth moving activities within the protected shoreland, except those activities associated with public utility lines and associated structures and facilities, public roads, and public water access facilities, that result in a temporary or permanent disturbance of an area that:

   1. (1) Is more than 2,500 square feet in size;
   2. (2) Any portion is within 50 feet of the reference line, as defined in RSA 483-B:4, XVII;
   3. (3) Is sloped such that runoff is in the direction of the surface water; and
   4. (4) Has an existing average grade of 25% or greater over a distance of 50 feet measured in an upgradient direction from a starting point anywhere within 50 feet of the reference line and the area of disturbance.

Source. #9343, eff 1-1-09; (See Revision Note #2 at chapter heading for Env-Wq 1500); amd by #9817-A, eff 12-1-10; ss by #12342 (formerly Env-Wq 1502.51); ss by #13758, eff 9-28-23; ss by #14079, eff 9-24-24, EXPIRES: 9-24-34; ss by #14472, eff 1-19-26, EXPIRES: 1-19-36