HB1530

Testimony in Support of HB 1530 HB 1530 is a crucial measure for promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement in wildlife management. By requiring notification of abutters and public review prior to disturbing beaver dams in non-emergency situations, this bill ensures that local communities are informed and involved in decisions that directly affect their environment and wildlife. Beaver dams play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and managing water resources. This legislation not only protects the ecological benefits provided by these natural structures but also fosters a collaborative atmosphere where community voices are valued in environmental conservation efforts. Furthermore, the public review process enhances transparency and accountability among those who manage natural resources. Engaging the community helps to build understanding and support for wildlife management practices while encouraging responsible actions toward beaver populations. By promoting awareness of the ecological importance of beaver dams, HB 1530 aligns with broader environmental goals and encourages a more harmonious relationship between human activities and nature. Supporting this bill reflects our commitment to preserving our natural heritage for future generations.

Beavers are nature's engineers. I believe NH communities live more in fear of Beavers, which defy the reality of their ability to restore wetlands without flooding. Please support this bill.

To help protect NH's priceless wildlife and environment, please vote in favor of this bill. Beavers are critical to a healthy ecosystem. They create and maintain wetlands that improve water quality, reduce flooding, and recharge groundwater. They provide habitat for hundreds of other species of mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians.

Water impounded by beaver dams are wetlands that have important ecological function. Perturbation of an ecosystem that straddles a municipal or private boundary line ought to require the input from those on both sides of the border. That seems to me only fair and proper.

Dear members of the Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee, I am submitting to you my full support for this bill, which would require that abutters are provided notification of non-emergency beaver dam intervention. Abutting landowners, particularly those with affected waterfront frontage relative to beaver activity upstream or downstream of their location, can attribute their property values and quiet enjoyment of ponds or lakes to the benefits of beaver impoundments. When humans intervene and remove beaver dams or relocate a population, the surface water and private well and fire hydrant access aquifer levels may drop or be non-existent. Docks installed at water levels maintained by beaver dams can become inaccessible and recreational opportunities are lost. In these prolonged periods of drought, beaver impoundments provide positive solutions. In other parts of the country, beavers are sought after by property owners to re-green and re-vitalize arid land, support agricultural activities and wells. Everyone should be able to have the freedom to enjoy benefits on which they rely. I ask respectfully that you vote ought-to-pass on this important personal property rights bill and assure that landowners can have a voice in their own properties, wells, and land values. Thank you. Sincerely, Stephen C. Landry Resident, Webster, NH

Beavers have been referred to as "nature's construction workers" as well as "ecosystem engineers" indicating how vital they are to healthy ecosystems. Their dams and lodges create wetlands that filter water and control floods, creating healthy habitats for numerous other species of mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians. Removing or lowering a shared beaver impoundment deserves careful consideration due to the unintended downstream and upstream consequences. Please support HB1530 so that these master builders can continue to preserve and protect our ecosystems.

Supporting abutter and public notification, awareness, and involvement prior to disrupting sensitive wetland habitat.

Beavers help against dry seasons by building ponds. Give them a chance.

Beavers create wetlands that improve water quality, help reduce flooding and provide habitats for many species of birds, amphibians and mammals.

As an abutter -- without notification, we are victims of a 20+ year old beaver dam destruction and the stored water level removal. Nature has lost a lot of wildlife, acres of usable pond and wetland environment.

NHACC supports this bill to ensure landowners who are impacted by removal of beaver dams have the opportunity to be notified. Removal of beaver dams can create unintended consequences for landowners upstream and the public. I support this bill because I don't want random destruction of beaver's homes for no good reason, and I believe this bill will prevent that. Beaver activity contributes to the health of the entire ecosystem which we all depend upon for life.

I strongly support this bill because I believe that requiring landowners to notify abutters, local governing bodies and conservation commissions would actually help minimize beaver dam removal, and in so doing would help sustain healthy wetlands created by beaver dams that help improve water quality, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide wildlife habitat.

Think Beavers with Benefits! There have been many incidents of towns or private property owners deciding to take out dams and causing havoc upstream and downstream as they've drained ponds or creating flooding conditions. Abutter notifications are pretty standard practices. It kick starts a healthy discussion about various remedies and impacts on neighboring properties. Please pass this bill.

I love my beavers! They make my wetlands beautiful and we so enjoy the wildlife that comes to our land because of their hard work! Please pass this bill!!

This is common sense legislation.

To whom it may concern, While I am in favor of this legislation, I ask the assembled body to consider an amendment by providing a definition of "significant lowering " of pond level! Thank you for your time and efforts in this matter.

The existence of Beavers along waterways is vital to a healthy ecosystem upon which many species rely for survival. The removal of beaver dams has far-reaching negative consequences for extensive areas adjacent.

Beavers are nature's engineers. Their dams are especially helpful in times of drought as their ponds retain water for every living thing including trees, bushes and all kinds of critters. Their efforts are helpful. not harmful. If a homeowner's tree is at risk, wrap it with chicken wire. If a pond level floods an area installing a beaver baffler should help. Solutions exist so that all can coexist.

After centuries of killing and trapping beavers we now know better. The work beavers do is in fact vital to healthy ecosystems. Beavers create wetlands that improve water quality, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide habitat for countless species of birds, fish, amphibian, and mammals. For instance, beavers in Utah and other states have been enlisted in an effort to restore degraded streams or to create wetlands in dry areas where water is needed to, among other things. fight wildfires. Even to create a trout pond for fishermen. In some places people have imitated the work of beavers to create needed wetlands. When necessary so-called "beaver deceivers" can be used to discourage beavers' damming without harming the beavers.

A strongly support the notification of abutters, especially upstream abutters, if a beaver dam is to be removed. It is irresponsible to remove a dam without prior notification of landowners.

Dear members of the Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee, I am submitting to you my full support for this bill, which would require that abutters notification of non-emergency beaver dam intervention. Abutting landowners, particularly those with affected waterfront frontage, often see their property values and quiet enjoyment of the benefits of beaver impoundments. Overnight, one can see water levels and private well levels drop of be non-existent. In these prolonged periods of drought, beaver impoundments provide positive solutions. In other parts of the country, beavers are sought after by property owners to re-green and re-vitalize land and wells. Everyone should be able to have the freedom to enjoy benefits on which they rely. I ask respectfully that you vote ought-to-pass on this important personal property rights bill and assure that landowners can have a voice in their own properties, wells, and land values. Thank you. Sincerely, Michele L. Tremblay MLT@naturesource.net 603.796.2615

This bill allows for a more thorough and needed consideration of a particular situation.

We cohabit the environment with wildlife. We MUST do everything in our power to preserve and protect ALL animals. Their mission on earth is to survive and thrive, and to contribute to the ecosystem as nature intended. The beaver population must be protected and allowed to carry on as they were meant to. How would we, as humans. like our homes and environment destroyed? Think about it and then vote to pass House Bill 1530. Thank you.

We know how important beaver wetlands are to protecting water quality and reducing impacts from floods and drought. This is common sense. Please approve.

It only makes sense to keep abutting landowners and local conservation commissions in the loop when addressing beaver situations.