CNHRPC received funding from the NH Department of Environmental Services and through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (federal stimulus) to assist the Contoocook and North Branch Rivers Local Advisory Committee (CNBRLAC) in updating their River Management Plan in 2009-2010. The Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) worked in partnership with CNHRPC on the project.

The Contoocook and North Branch Rivers are designated under the New Hampshire River Management and Protection Program for their outstanding natural and cultural resources. The rivers run through 14 towns in the CNHRPC and SWRPC regions:

Antrim
Bennington
Boscawen
Concord
Deering
Greenfield
Hancock
Henniker
Hillsborough
Hopkinton
Jaffrey
Peterborough
Rindge
Stoddard

CNBRLAC is a volunteer committee made up of representatives from each town along the rivers. The Committee is responsible for developing and implementing a river management plan and for advising local, state, and federal agencies about activities which may affect the water quality or flow in the protected river segments. Committee members organize and conduct volunteer water quality monitoring activities and report results to the NH Department of Environmental Services.

The Contoocook and North Branch River Management Plan was adopted in 1994. CNBRLAC, CNHRPC, and SWRPC reviewed and updated the plan with the goal to create a workable document that can be used by local governments in their Master Planning or Open Space Planning efforts.

Stakeholder Survey

In order to gain broad community input, CNBRLAC developed a stakeholder survey distributed to landowners and public officials in the river corridor. Residents, landowners along the river, and interested parties were encouraged to complete the survey to provide their thoughts on uses, values, and concerns relating to the Contoocook and North Branch Rivers. Read a summary of survey results.

Community Participation

The updated river management plan is intended to incorporate as much community input as possible. On January 25, 2010, a public information meeting and visioning session was held at Pierce Elementary School in Bennington. Attendees were provided an overview of the plan update process, what has been accomplished so far, and reports from DES and Fish and Game on invasive species and wildlife populations. In breakout sessions, attendees discussed their values, concerns, and visions for river improvement.

Public information meetings were held to present and discuss the draft and final versions of the Plan in Concord (December 10, 2010) and in Bennington (December 17, 2010 and March 28, 2011). CNBRLAC formally adopted the plan on March 28, 2011 and is now moving forward with implementation.

River Management Plan Update

Contoocook and North Branch Rivers Management Plan - March 2011

Appendices:

Maps:

Questions about the Contoocook and North Branch Rivers Management Plan can be directed to Michelle Hamm, CNBRLAC Chair, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .