Bill Text - SB529 (2018)

(New Title) requiring the department of environmental services to conduct a study regarding the Baker River in the town of Warren and making an appropriation for such study.


Revision: Jan. 9, 2018, 8:38 a.m.

SB 529-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2018 SESSION

18-2865

08/06

 

SENATE BILL 529-FN

 

AN ACT authorizing river maintenance in the town of Warren.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Giuda, Dist 2; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Daniels, Dist 11; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Innis, Dist 24; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Sanborn, Dist 9; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep. Ladd, Graf. 4; Rep. Brown, Graf. 16; Rep. Hinch, Hills. 21; Rep. Binford, Graf. 15; Rep. Schwaegler, Graf. 3

 

COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill authorizes river maintenance in the town of Warren.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

18-2865

08/06

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen

 

AN ACT authorizing river maintenance in the town of Warren.

 

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

 

1  New Subdivision; Town of Warren River Maintenance.  Amend RSA 482-A by inserting after section 34 the following new subdivision:

Town of Warren River Maintenance

482-A:35  Town of Warren; River Maintenance.

I.  The town of Warren is authorized to remove timber and debris from the Baker River from the Rte. 25 bridge at the Warren-Wentworth town line to the Warren town garage each year between July 1- August 31 when the river is at its lowest level.

II.  The town of Warren is authorized to dredge the channel defined by a hydrogeologist from the department of environmental services in 2017 every other year, beginning in 2019.  If the hydrogeologist determines that a change to the course of the river is required, dredging shall conform to the newly stipulated course, unless such course would endanger lives or property.

III.  All fees  imposed by the department relative to dredging required in paragraph I are hereby waived.

IV.  The town of Warren shall remain eligible for any other dredge permits and all other lawful state and federal aid if a federal natural disaster declaration is issued by the president of the United States, or if the governor of New Hampshire declares a state of emergency that includes the town of Warren.

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

 

LBAO

18-2865

12/19/17

 

SB 529-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT authorizing river maintenance in the town of Warren.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

$117,000

$112,000

$119,000

$121,000

Funding Source:

  [ X ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [    ] Other

 

 

 

 

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill authorizes the Town of Warren to remove timber and debris from a section of the Baker River each year and to dredge the river channel every other year based on a course defined by a hydrogeologist from the Department of Environmental Services.  Any fees imposed by the Department of Environmental Services relative to dredging are waived and the town shall remain eligible for any other dredge permits and federal disaster aid.

 

The Department of Environmental Services indicates there is no existing hydrogeologist position in the Department that could be utilized to perform the duties required by the bill.  The Department assumes a licensed civil engineer with experience specifically related to river fluvial geomorphology and river restoration work would be needed to perform the required work.  The work would include: analyzing historic river conditions and data, collecting field data, developing modeling, preparing design plans and monitoring construction work.  Such a position would be classified as a Civil Engineer V in the State’s personnel classification system.  The cost for the position including benefits, equipment and current expenses would be $117,000 in FY 2019, $112,000 in FY 2020, $119,000 in FY 2021 and $121,000 in FY 2022.   Since the bill does not allow for the assessment of fees, the position would need to be supported by the General Fund.  The Department states, since the bill relates only to one town, there would be no fiscal impact to the counties or to local government in general.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Environmental Services