1 New Section; Environmental Impact Study Requirement for Manufacturing and Storage Facilities. Amend RSA 155-A by inserting after section 4 the following new section:

155-A:4-a Environmental Impact Study Requirement for Manufacturing and Storage Facilities.

I. Definitions.

(a) "Baseline environmental study" means a comprehensive assessment of the existing environmental conditions at the time of application. It shall serve as the reference point for evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the proposed development and shall be conducted in accordance with standards established by the department. The study shall include data on water, air, soil, noise, and light.

(b) "Manufacturing facility" means any building, structure, or premises used for the industrial-scale processing, preparation, assembly, packaging, or fabrication of goods, materials, or products, including but not limited to food, chemicals, electronics, or machinery.

(c) "Storage facility" means any building, structure, or premises used for the commercial or industrial storage of goods, materials, equipment, or hazardous substances, including self-service storage units, warehouses, and underground storage tanks, whether for temporary or long-term use.

II. No permit shall be issued under RSA 155-A:4 for the development of any manufacturing or storage facility over 50,000 square feet unless the applicant submits proof of a completed baseline environmental impact study (EIS). The EIS shall:

(a) Be conducted by a qualified environmental professional or agency approved by the New Hampshire department of environmental services.

(b) Be funded by the applicant.

(c) Include analysis of potential impacts on the following:

(1) Water quality and quantity.

(2) Air emissions.

(3) Soil contamination.

(4) Noise and light pollution.

(d) Include a cumulative impact assessment, considering past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.

(e) Evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed action, including a no-action alternative.

(f) Identify feasible mitigation measures to avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects.

(g) Be completed prior to the issuance of any permit.

(h) Be updated every 5 years following the initial study.

(i) Be resubmitted upon any change in ownership or change in use of the facility.

III. The department shall not issue a permit unless it determines that the proposed development will not result in unreasonable adverse environmental impacts, and that appropriate mitigation measures have been identified and incorporated.

IV. All environmental impact studies and related documents shall be made available to the public in accordance with RSA 91-A. The department shall provide a public comment period of not less than 30 days prior to final permit approval.

2 New Paragraph; Duties of Commissioner; Administrative Rules. Amend RSA 21-O:3 by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:

XI. Adopt administrative rules pursuant to RSA 541-A regarding the applicant submission process for environmental impact studies for manufacturing and storage facilities pursuant to RSA 155-A:4-a.

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

1 New Section; Environmental Impact Study Requirement for Manufacturing and Storage Facilities. Amend RSA 155-A by inserting after section 4 the following new section:

155-A:4-a Environmental Impact Study Requirement for Manufacturing and Storage Facilities.

I. Definitions.

(a) "Baseline environmental study" means a comprehensive assessment of the existing environmental conditions at the time of application. It shall serve as the reference point for evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the proposed development and shall be conducted in accordance with standards established by the department. The study shall include data on water, air, soil, noise, and light.

(b) "Manufacturing facility" means any building, structure, or premises used for the industrial-scale processing, preparation, assembly, packaging, or fabrication of goods, materials, or products, including but not limited to food, chemicals, electronics, or machinery.

(c) "Storage facility" means any building, structure, or premises used for the commercial or industrial storage of goods, materials, equipment, or hazardous substances, including self-service storage units, warehouses, and underground storage tanks, whether for temporary or long-term use.

II. No permit shall be issued under RSA 155-A:4 for the development of any manufacturing or storage facility over 50,000 square feet unless the applicant submits proof of a completed baseline environmental impact study (EIS). The EIS shall:

(a) Be conducted by a qualified environmental professional or agency approved by the New Hampshire department of environmental services.

(b) Be funded by the applicant.

(c) Include analysis of potential impacts on the following:

(1) Water quality and quantity.

(2) Air emissions.

(3) Soil contamination.

(4) Noise and light pollution.

(d) Include a cumulative impact assessment, considering past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.

(e) Evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed action, including a no-action alternative.

(f) Identify feasible mitigation measures to avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects.

(g) Be completed prior to the issuance of any permit.

(h) Be updated every 5 years following the initial study.

(i) Be resubmitted upon any change in ownership or change in use of the facility.

III. The department shall not issue a permit unless it determines that the proposed development will not result in unreasonable adverse environmental impacts, and that appropriate mitigation measures have been identified and incorporated.

IV. All environmental impact studies and related documents shall be made available to the public in accordance with RSA 91-A. The department shall provide a public comment period of not less than 30 days prior to final permit approval.

2 New Paragraph; Duties of Commissioner; Administrative Rules. Amend RSA 21-O:3 by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:

XI. Adopt administrative rules pursuant to RSA 541-A regarding the applicant submission process for environmental impact studies for manufacturing and storage facilities pursuant to RSA 155-A:4-a.

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