Bill Text - HB376 (2017)

(New Title) relative to the disturbance of sediments in estuarine waters.


Revision: Jan. 30, 2017, 8:12 a.m.

HB 376 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2017 SESSION

17-0149

08/05

 

HOUSE BILL 376

 

AN ACT requiring construction projects that disturb sediments of estuarine waters to analyze the characteristics of the sediments and report them to the department of environmental services.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Burton, Straf. 6; Rep. Horrigan, Straf. 6

 

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires persons commencing construction projects that disturb the sediments of estuarine waters to submit a chemical analysis of such sediments in order to receive a permit from the department of environmental services.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17-0149

08/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT requiring construction projects that disturb sediments of estuarine waters to analyze the characteristics of the sediments and report them to the department of environmental services.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Paragraph; Disturbance of Sediments in Estuarine Waters.  Amend RSA 483-B:5-b by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

III-a.  A person commencing a construction project requiring a permit under this chapter that will cause substantial disturbance of sediments of estuarine waters shall analyze the characteristics of the sediments and report them to the department of environmental services at the time of application for a permit.  The analysis shall include core samples to a depth of 6 inches below the proposed disturbance area and shall test for the presence of toxic contaminants including, but not limited to, poly-chlorinated biphenyls (Pcbs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxin, perfluorinated chemicals (PFSCCs), heavy metals including mercury and lead, and any other contaminant, the presence of which is reasonably foreseeable.  Core samples shall be taken from more than one location, as necessary to ensure the collection and analysis of representative sediments.  A permit shall not be issued under this chapter if this analysis shows the presence of toxic contaminants at or beyond levels deemed hazardous by the department of environmental services.  

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.