HB1621

NH needs to protect it’s citizens.

NH needs to protect its citizens and further study this issue.

I strongly Support HB 1621, to require an environmental impact study for all proposed manufacturing and storage facilities within NH, as what recently occurred with St Gobain in Merrimack with PFAS and PFOAs is an excellent case-study for what we would not want to repeat in our communities state-wide. We must know and be cognizant of all the environmental impacts BEFORE any manufacturing and storage facilities are constructed, not AFTER they have been built and a discovery that operations are causing damage to our safety, health and environment and the people who live in the communities where these manufacturing and storage facilities have been constructed...I strongly urge the NH House of Representatives to Vote in Support of HB 1621, and to PASS this Bill as soon as Possible! Thank you for your time and consideration, Eileen Chabot Derry, NH

Chairwoman Aron, Members of Environment & Agriculture, I am writing in support of HB 1621, a bipartisan bill intended to address the increasing problem of water, land, and air contamination from manufacturing and other large industrial businesses. In my area, we have had severe PFAS contamination of wells in Merrimack, Amherst, Nashua, Hollis, and across the border in Pepperell, MA. The NH Dept of Environmental Services is often aware of the culprits, St. Cobaine in Merrimack and a manufacturer behind the Walmart on 101A in Amherst had operations that resulted in costly well mitigation and filtration systems for citizens in all the towns mentioned above. HB1621 seeks to find a balance in making sure we have an understanding when a business goes in, what the environmental conditions are for air, land, and water. That way, we can be sure if any new contamination arises, that it was not there prior. DES can testify as to how helpful this would be for them. The point is, the public has a right to know that the state is taken some precaution when it comes to deadly forever chemicals seeping into public breathing, planting, and drinking sources. As these issues grow, it is important that we find a way to stay ahead of poisoning our own resources. I saw a note from a member of your committee stating that this bill is not workable as it is written. If that is true, as it is with so many of our bills, then I ask that the committee seek to refine it through amendment to get it to a place where it can have its intended effect. To protect people's air, land and water and provide some process for holding businesses accountable for pollution that harms communities. Sorry I couldn't be with you today. I hope you will consider working on this bill as it is important to our constituents. Thank you, Rep. Kat McGhee, M.Ed, PMP retired