The statutory parameters that apply to a prime wetlands designated pursuant to RSA 482-A:15 or its predecessor statute shall be determined based on the date of the designation, as summarized in Table 701-1, below:

Table 701-1: Prime Wetlands Parameters

Session Law

Effective Date

Statutory Parameters

1979, 431:5-6

Aug. 22, 1979

if !supportLists?• endif?Municipalities authorized to designate prime wetlands

if !supportLists?• endif?NH Wetlands Board must notify local authority prior to issuing a permit for a project “in or adjacent to” designated prime wetlands

if !supportLists?• endif?Board adopts rules to implement, establish criteria (OLS document #1825, eff. 10-5-81; see OLS Revision Notes for subsequent history)

if !supportLists?• endif?No fixed buffers for prime wetlands, but rules establish requirements that apply to proposed work/activities that may impact prime wetlands, including no significant net loss of wetland function

if !supportLists?• endif?“Adjacent” not defined

2007, 211: 2

Aug. 24, 2007

if !supportLists?• endif?“in or adjacent to” changed to “in or within 100 feet of”

2009, 185:2

Sept. 11, 2009

if !supportLists?• endif?Department must notify local authority prior to issuing a permit for projects “in or within 100 feet of” a designated prime wetlands

if !supportLists?• endif?Waivers authorized for forest management work

2012, 235:2

Aug. 17, 2012

if !supportLists?• endif?Requirements established for a prime wetlands to be at least 2 acres in size; to not consist of a water body only; to have at least 4 primary wetland functions, one of which must be wildlife habitat; and to be at least 50 feet wide at its narrowest point

if !supportLists?• endif?Department must notify local authority prior to issuing a permit for projects in a designated prime wetlands or within 100 feet of any prime wetlands where a 100-foot buffer was required at the time of designation (i.e., on or after Sept. 11, 2009 but before Aug. 17, 2012)

Source. (See Revision Notes #1 and #2 at chapter heading for Env-Wt 700) #12807, eff 12-15-19