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Administration | 603-279-5334 |
Finance | 603-279-5338 |
GIS and Maps | 603-279-5341 |
Household Hazardous Waste | 603-279-5341 |
Land Use Planning | 603-279-5339 |
Solid Waste | 603-279-5336 |
Transportation | 603-279-5335 |
View our Staff Directory for individual contact information. |
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Note: This section is on rotation. If more than one announcement is posted, there will be approximately a 6 second delay between each rotation. You can, however, manually advance the postings by clicking on the solid dots at the bottom of this section.
February 21, 2024FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, call:
Matt Rose, LRPC Solid Waste Planner
603-279-8171
Underused Properties May See Interest
The Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC) was recently awarded $475,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program to assist Lakes Region communities with assessments of vacant and underutilized sites that remain in that state due to concerns about environmental contamination from hazardous materials. According to Jeff Hayes, LRPC Executive Director, our goals for the funding include “creating and preserving open space, increasing economic opportunities in the Lakes Region, and reducing the threat to human health and the environment. Our previous Brownfields funding led to the clean-up of sites in Bristol, Franklin, Ashland, and Tilton, as well as a special assessment for the Lakes Region Facility in Laconia. EPA has given this region another opportunity to work on more eligible properties.”
This new award will enable LRPC to hire a qualified environmental firm to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies of Brownfields in the Lakes Region. Phase 1 assessments examine current and former uses of a property in order to determine the potential for environmental issues. Phase 2 studies involve collecting laboratory samples and data necessary to confirm or dismiss any environmental questions identified during Phase 1. These studies are important steps before clean-up and reuse can occur. Brownfields sites are defined under the Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002 as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”
The LRPC plans to initiate the program this Spring 2024, and to conclude the program within the next three years. An association of 30 communities, the LRPC has active programs in land use and environmental planning, transportation, watershed protection, economic development, technical assistance, and information services. For additional information about the federal Brownfields program in New England, see http://www.epa.gov/region1/brownfields/index.html. For other questions, please contact the LRPC at 603- 279-8171.
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Note: This section is on rotation. If more than one announcement is posted, there will be approximately a 6 second delay between each rotation. You can, however, manually advance the postings by clicking on the solid dots at the bottom of this section.
A N N O U N C E M E N T
The Lakes Region Planning Commission, at its October Commissioner Meeting, voted to adopt the Regional Housing Needs Assessment report prepared by LRPC. For more information about this report, please visit our Housing page under the Services tab above. -
Note: This section is on rotation. If more than one announcement is posted, there will be approximately a 6 second delay between each rotation. You can, however, manually advance the postings by clicking on the solid dots at the bottom of this section.
PROGRESS TOWARDS DIGITAL EQUITY IN NH
Digital access and skill have become increasingly important for so many aspects of everyday life, for people of all ages and all circumstances, especially for those who are English learners, elders, persons of color, veterans, disabled, low income, rural inhabitants, and incarcerated populations. NH’s digital equity funding can be used to address digital divide challenges, e.g., relating to access to affordable broadband, computers, digital skills and cyber safety skill development, technical support, multilingual tech support, and more.
The LRPC is working with New Hampshire’s digital equity experts in guiding the development of NH’s plan, and to encourage all who are interested in the region to help shape the plan. Over the next several months, a select team will be seeking public comment on vital elements including identification of digital divide barriers to improve economic and educational opportunity, healthcare access, and civic engagement.
You can learn about the many ways to become involved, share your insights and concerns, and help craft New Hampshire’s digital future at https://www.nhdigitalequity.org/ for many upcoming opportunities from an online survey and online forums to in-person meetings across the state.
We hope you’ll join us!