SB594

NH lakes and waterways are a state treasure and a vital part of the tourism industry and must be protected.

I live on Pea Porridge Pond in Madison and our pond is a key recreational area for many people during the winter. The wonderful natural ice cover brings many ice fishermen, cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers every day of the week all winter long. It is critical to be able to ski/snowshoe/snowmobile all around the perimeter of the lake without worrying about the safety of the ice along the shore. In addition, in the past few years, we have had several skating rinks created so people from all over can enjoy the pond on skates. Almost all of these rinks are cleared close to shore, and access points from land are critical for young and old alike to get to the skating surface safely. The thick, natural ice cover across our entire pond is critical to our New Hampshire experience, our community building efforts and the health of our pond environment.

I support SB 594 because by limiting the use of water agitators the public benefits by safer ice for winter recreation and by promoting lake and marine life health.

I live on a small pond where many seasonal docks are kept in the water year round by using agitators. This creates unsafe conditions for recreational use and impacts the water quality by reducing ice coverage allowing sunlight to cause enhance weed growth and potentially increasing Cyanobacteria blooms

I support efforts that work to sustain our lakes and streams

Unnecessary use of agitators creates dangerous thin-ice conditions for anglers, skiers, snowmobilers, and others. Natural ice cover is also critical for lake health. It stabilizes winter conditions and limits sunlight penetration. When multiple areas around the lake have reduced ice coverage, more sunlight reaches into the water, which can trigger invasive plant growth and increase the risk of algal and cyanobacteria blooms. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, SB 594 improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round.

Winter ice protects lake health by limiting sunlight penetration. More sunlight entering the lake near the shoreline can trigger invasive plant growth and cyanobacteria blooms. Open water caused by agitators can be dangerous for recreational users who come across it unexpectedly. Please support SB 594 to protect lakes and people who use lakes for recreation in winter.

I support SB594 and ask that you vote in favor of this bill. SB594 will prevent unnecessary use of agitators that create thin ice and this creates a risk to anglers, snowmobilers, cross country skiers and others. I live on Webster Lake in Franklin and have experienced agitators that created thin ice and a dangerous situation for anglers and snowmobilers. My lake has removable docks and agitators are not necessary. Natural ice cover is necessary for lake health and increased sunlight into the water can increase the chances of invasive species growth and cyanobacteria blooms.

Dear Honorable Members of the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, Please support SB594 to limit the use of unnecessary water agitators. Unnecessary is the key word here...there is no need to create dangerous ice situations or allow sunlight through places where there should naturally be ice (encouraging invasive plants and cyanobacteria). You make a lot of hard decisions in your roles...this is an easy one. I can't ask you all enough to keep learning about the health of NH's lakes and making the choices that will keep them clean and healthy and safe--long into the future. Please support SB 594! Many thanks, Jennifer King North Hampton/ Milton

Limiting unnecessary use of water agitators would help to reduce thin ice that can be dangerous for people. Maintaining ice cover would also keep lakes healthier and reduce harmful cyanobacteria or algae blooms, which I feel strongly about!

Please support this bill; it is important for winter lake safety for humans as well as lake ecosystems which need ice cover in the winter. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, this bill will help our lakes be healthier all year round.

The use of agitators creates dangerous thin-ice conditions for anglers, skiers, and others. Natural ice cover is also critical for lake health. It stabilizes winter conditions and limits sunlight penetration. When multiple areas around the lake have reduced ice coverage, more sunlight reaches into the water, which can trigger invasive plant growth and increase the risk of algal and cyanobacteria blooms. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, SB 594 improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round. New Hampshire's lakes are a valuable resource that are an important part of the State's economy year-round. It is important that the State supports the health of this important natural resource.

Without healthy lakes, NH summer recreation will cease to exist. Please support this bill.

By limiting unnecessary water agitation, SB 594 improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round.

Unnecessary use of agitators creates dangerous thin-ice conditions for anglers, skiers, snowmobilers, and others Natural ice cover is also critical for lake health. It stabilizes winter conditions and limits sunlight penetration. When multiple areas around the lake have reduced ice coverage, more sunlight reaches into the water, which can trigger invasive plant growth and increase the risk of algal and cyanobacteria blooms. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, SB 594 improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round.

As property owners on Silver Lake in Madison, my wife and I have a deep personal stake in the safety and ecological health of our waterfront. One of our favorite winter traditions is walking across the frozen lake to the post office. However, we’ve become increasingly concerned about the water agitator adjacent to our exit point at Monument Beach. This area is a primary gateway for snowmobilers, ice fishermen, and pedestrians, but the ice there is dangerously unpredictable. While warning signs are posted, the agitator creates a hazard zone that extends over 100 feet and creates hidden instability far along the shoreline in both directions. To protect the health of our lakes, we must address the hidden damage caused by these artificial water agitators, which stir up bottom sediments and release trapped phosphorus into the water. This nutrient injection acts like a fertilizer for harmful cyanobacteria, fueling toxic blooms that degrade water quality and threaten both human and animal health. Beyond the chemical balance, these devices disrupt the natural freezing cycle essential for our native aquatic species. By limiting artificial movement, we ensure the stable winter conditions these organisms need to survive, preserving the lake's delicate ecosystem for the future. For those of us who live on and use this community path every day, what should be a safe winter crossing has turned into both a significant safety risk and a long-term environmental threat. I urge you to support SB 594 to protect our lake and those who enjoy it.

Unnecessary use of agitators creates dangerous thin-ice conditions for anglers, skiers, snowmobilers, and others Natural ice cover is also critical for lake health. It stabilizes winter conditions and limits sunlight penetration. When multiple areas around the lake have reduced ice coverage, more sunlight reaches into the water, which can trigger invasive plant growth and increase the risk of algal and cyanobacteria blooms. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, SB 594 improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round.

I believe we should limit the use of agitators as natural ice cover is important for lake health. This is important for safety as well. Thank you for your consideration.

I own property on Ayers lake and the toxic algae needs to be kept out. Having the lake healthy and freezing in winter is beneficial.

Natural ice cover is critical for lake health. It stabilizes winter conditions and limits sunlight penetration. When multiple areas around the lake have reduced ice coverage, more sunlight reaches into the water, which can trigger invasive plant growth and increase the risk of algal and cyanobacteria blooms. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, the bill improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round.

The action permitted by and prohibited by this bill is critical to maintaining the health of our lakes. The use of agitators,for the most part, is unnecessary and potentially hazardous to people and the lake itself. Ice cover is necessary for the stability of the lake, the reduction of sunlight and for discouraging the growth of unwanted vegetation. The states' lakes are an extremely valuable asset of the state. The greater the care taken to preserve and maintain the lakes, the greater the enhancement of the asset value to the state. The care of the lakes to the highest degree possible will most greatly benefit the state. This bill represents a step toward the enhancement of that asset value..

Unnecessary use of agitators creates dangerous thin-ice conditions for anglers, skiers, snowmobilers, and others Natural ice cover is also critical for lake health. It stabilizes winter conditions and limits sunlight penetration. When multiple areas around the lake have reduced ice coverage, more sunlight reaches into the water, which can trigger invasive plant growth and increase the risk of algal and cyanobacteria blooms. By limiting unnecessary water agitation, SB 594 improves winter safety and supports healthier lakes year-round.

Allowing unnecessary water creates unnecessary "open water' which poses unnecessary danger for snowmobilers, ice fishers, cross country skiers and other people using the frozen lakes for recreational purposes. Unnecessary elimination of natural ice cover can result in increased sunlight reaching into the water triggering unnecessary invasive plant growth and increased risk of cyanobacteria blooms.

I urge you to vote in favor of bill SB594. Unnecessary agitators are a detriment to our lakes and public safety, I live on a small lake and we currently have 3 agitators. The area around these agitators is open water. This is such a hazard to snow mobile riders, ice skaters, cross country skiers and people and their pets walking on our lake. Please vote for our safety and the health of our lake. Thank you.