September 16, 2005

                                       REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION

Town of Goffstown
c/o Frank P. Marinace
PO Box 429
New Hampton, NH 03256

RE: File #2005-01500
Project Name:  Town of Goffstown proposed kindergarten
Location:  Elm Street, Goffstown
Tax Map/Lot #: 5/14

Dear Mr. Marinace:

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) Wetlands Bureau has reviewed the above referenced application and has determined that additional information is needed to clarify and complete it before a permitting decision can be made. 

1.   Review of the proposed development does not appear to avoid and minimize overall wetland and stream disturbance.  In accordance with NH Administrative Rule Wt 302.03(a) and Wt 302.04(a)(1) and (2), the applicant must provide evidence that demonstrates that wetland impacts have been avoided to the maximum extent practicable, and that the alternative is one with the least impact to wetlands or surface waters on-site.  Please revise the overall layout to further reduce or remove wetland and stream disturbance.

2.   The current proposal is to fill 8,698 square feet of wetland and streams at 3 crossings impacting approximately 205 linear feet of stream channel.  Pursuant to Wt 303.02, projects that propose to disturb 200 or more linear feet of intermittent or perennial stream channels or its banks are classified as a Major Project.  All projects that propose major impacts to streams are required to submit a compensatory mitigation proposal in accordance with Wt 302.03(b).  Therefore, if the overall stream impacts are not further reduced, then please submit a mitigation proposal that meets the requirements of Chapter Wt 800.

3.   As required under the subdivision rule Wt 304.09, please submit plans that show the wetland boundaries and stream locations (including the top-of-banks) for the entire lot, the location of all proposed lot lines, and submit plans that clearly identify the wetland classifications and stream types.  In addition, please provide a master plan and a conceptual layout for proposed future phases of development.

4.   The current plans are not stamped by a Certified Wetland Scientist (CWS) as required by Wt 301.01(e).  Please provide this requirement in the plan revisions.

5.   The NH Fish & Game Department has identified 2 species of concern within the project vicinity.  Please contact Mike Marchand at NH Fish & Game for further assistance in ways to reduce potential impacts to these species.  Mike can be reached at (603) 271-3016 or email at: michael.marchand@wildlife.state.nh.us.

6.   Review of the hydrologic drainage analysis in the Site Specific application indicates that increases in post-development runoff will be detained in on-site wetlands and streams.  DES does not allow the use of naturally occurring wetlands and streams for attenuating stormwater runoff; therefore, please revise plans to appropriately utilize upland areas for detention.

Please include the file number (2005-01500) on all correspondence and provide to the town Conservation Commission a copy of all information submitted to this office.  Please submit the above-requested information as soon as practicable.  In accordance with changes to RSA 482-A:3, if the requested information is not received within 120 days of this request, the department is obligated to deny the application.  Therefore, if DES does not receive a complete response to the above-requested information by January 14, 2005, your permit will be denied.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (603) 271-0676 or email at: crennie@des.state.nh.us.

                                                                                                 Sincerely,

                                                                                                 Craig D. Rennie, CWS, CWB
                                                                                                 Land Resource Specialist

 cc:       Goffstown Conservation Commission
            Goffstown Planning Board
            Darrell Lockwood, School Superintendent
            True Engineering
            BAG Land Consultants
            Goffstown Residents Association
            Laurie Suda and Mike Hicks, ACOE
            Mark Kern, EPA
            Harry Stewart, DES
            Rene Pelletier, DES