TODAY, U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen announced that New Hampshire has been awarded a $1 million National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation of 1,500-acre Great Bay Estuary - Stonehouse Forest Coastal Wetlands property in Barrington.
"As one of New Hampshire's natural treasures, the Great Bay is critical to our economy and our high quality of life and we must do everything that we can to protect its magnificent, yet fragile ecosystem, including the estuary and surrounding wetlands and forests,"the Senators said."Wecommend our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for awarding New Hampshire this important grant, which will help build on the efforts we have taken to strengthen conservation around the Great Bay. We must continue working together to protect the Great Bay and the natural resources that make our state unique."
Through the grant, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will work in partnership with the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire (SELT) to protect the 1,500-acre Great Bay Estuary-Stonehouse Forest Coastal Wetlands property. By preventing the development of residential lots and associated roads, the conservation easement will help reduce threats to the area.
Senator Hassan chairedtheGreat Bay Estuary Commission as State Senator and signed several bills into law as Governor to strengthen restoration efforts in the Great Bay.
For more information, visithttps://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=importance-of-resilient-coastal-wetlands-to-conservation-recreation-&_ID=35932.