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Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act (CSPA)
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Written by Peter Goodwin
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act (CSPA) works to protect our lakes and, in some ways, is less restrictive than it was before recent revisions were made. Jay Aube of NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) made a presentation on June 11th at the NH Boat Museum and started by saying that the act does not prevent people from building sand castles and it allows for the removal of poison ivy. While there are some restrictions on landowners, the act is designed to prevent degradation of New Hampshire lakes and streams. Silt can clog our lakes and phosphates encourage algae blooms, neither of which is good for water quality. A complete discussion of the act can be found at the DES web site if you want more information that this brief article gives. Look for water and wetlands and cspa or use the link given below.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wetlands/cspa/index.htm
The act tries to prevent "storm event" water from entering the lakes and streams of New Hampshire. A "storm event" is one that causes streams to rise and often brings silt and chemicals such as phosphorous and petroleum products directly into the lake. With a proper vegetative buffer along the shore, the rushing water from a storm has time to filter into the soil and the silt and chemicals are prevented from entering the lake. For this reason, the first 50 feet from the lake (called Zone 1) is the most important. While previous uses are grandfathered in, any new construction is limited to one 6 foot wide pathway to the water. The rest of the ground is to be left in the natural state unless a waiver is issued and the improvements work reduce water flow into the lake. Trees can be cut at the lake front by a formula (found at the DES website) that is relatively easy to apply so that a view of the lake can be cut but any stumps must be left in the ground although they can be cut flush to the ground and dirt can be put over them. Leaving the stumps means that the ground isn't disturbed which will allow the dirt to more easily flow into the water body. Trees can be planted in this area and native vegetative plantings are encouraged as long as you follow the proper guidelines. Obviously, no phosphorous containing fertilizers are allowed on existing lawns in this first 50 feet from the shore. Zone 2 extends from 50 feet from shore to 150 feet from shore and Zone 3 extends from 150 feet from shore to 250 feet from shore. These zones have restrictions on how they can be developed and these restrictions are mostly related to the amount of impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways and other hard surfaces that exist on the property. Exceptions are allowed with waivers especially if other improvements are made to the property that decrease the amount of water that will enter the water body in a storm event.
Basically, the CSPA works to ensure the water quality of lakes and streams of New Hampshire. It is designed so that all can enjoy clean water in the future and while there are restrictions, the DES is more than happy to work with the landowner to deal with the regulations.
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