The CNHRPC office is closed to the public until further notice as per Governor Sununu's Emergency Orders 17 and 40. The CNHRPC operations will continue during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. All CNHRPC staff have been given the option to work from home until such time that it deemed safe to return to the office. Our staff are equipped with the necessary technology, network access and remote meeting tools to communicate with you effectively.

We are all accessible via email. For staff email addresses, please visit the Contact Us page. You can also call the main CNHRPC office line at 226-6020.

What's New

DERA Funding Available: FY20 NH Clean Diesel Grant Program, Round 1 - Applications due Nov. 16th 

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has approximately $750,000 of funding available through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program.  This Request for Proposals (RFP) is a first round of funding administered by NHDES through the State Clean Diesel Grant Program. Note that this is a very popular program with NH Businesses and Municipalities – past projects include Plow Truck, Dump Truck, Fire Truck, School Bus, Marine Engine, and Wheeled Loader replacements!

The State Clean Diesel Grant Program provides partial funding for local/state governments and businesses operating in New Hampshire to reduce emissions through idle reduction technologies, exhaust controls, and/or replacement of older on- or off-road diesel engines/vehicles/equipment with newer engines/vehicles/equipment –transitions from diesel to alternative fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas, propane and electric) are also eligible project types!  Grant funding is available with a required match by the grantee.  Eligible project submissions will be scored and selected through a competitive solicitation process.  To view prior grant recipients and previous projects visit the NH DERA Project webpage at the link below.

Applications in response to this RFP must be received electronically by 4:00 PM on Monday, November 16th.  If funding remains, proposals submitted after November 16th, but by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 will also be considered. To access the RFP, Application, Scoring Criteria and “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” documents visit the NH DERA Project webpage: https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/tps/msp/diesel-vehicles/dera.htm Questions can be directed to Jessica Wilcox, NHDES-ARD Grants Manager: jessica.wilcox@des.nh.gov

2020 Land Use Law Conference 

Join the NHMA and the New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives for Live Virtual Land Use Law Conference. Scheduled for Saturday, October 31 from 8:45am-3:00pm. Register, read the program agenda, and get more information here.

Floodplain Management Basics Training Webinar for Community Officials

Are you a local official involved in administering/enforcing your community's floodplain regulations, and looking for a refresher on key topics related to floodplain maps and regulations, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)? Or new to the subject and looking to understand what a community's responsibilities are when it comes to NFIP participation? The New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) is hosting a free Floodplain Management Basics training webinar for local officials in the state on Thursday, November 12th from 10 to 11:30 am. This webinar will provide basic information and guidance about the NFIP, FEMA floodplain maps and studies, key floodplain regulations, and the responsibilities of the community to remain in good standing in the NFIP. Resources to get more information on key topics will also be highlighted.
To register, contact Samara Ebinger at OSI at Samara.M.Ebinger@osi.nh.gov.

2020 Census Response Rates & Resources Update

The 2020 Census is underway and the U.S. Census Bureau continues to carefully monitor the COVID-19 situation and is following guidance of federal, state, and local health authorities. Help adhere to social-distancing guidelines by responding online, by phone, or by mail to the 2020 Census. Responding now will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send Census takers out into communities to follow-up. You can also respond without your Census ID number, with step-by-steps instructions here.

Additionally, CNHRPC has been keeping a close eye on the 2020 Census response rates for the CNHRPC communities. While the top ten self-response rates by community in the region are presented below, the response rate does vary by community within the region. If you or someone you know has yet to respond, you still have time! For more information, check out https://2020census.gov/en.html.

CNHRPC Awarded Bicycle Friendly Business Award 

In early July, the League of American Bicyclist recognized CNHRPC with a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside over 1,400 businesses across the country and contributing the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America. CNHRPC joins 75 other new and renewing BFBs in the League's Spring 2020 round of business awards, which includes government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, bike shops, and other employers across industries. CNHRPC has also been added to the online Bicycle Friendly America Award Database and Connect Locally Map at bikeleague.org. To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/business.

CNHRPC Regional Transportation Plan Corridor Spotlights

As part of the RTP, eight regionally significant corridors throughout the region have been identified to examine closely for key demographic trends, recent and historic land use patterns, and specific transportation projects. Titled Corridor Spotlights, the draft versions of these can be seen below. Also available for viewing is a historical timeline of transportation development within the region.

CNHRPC Regional Transportation Plan Draft Documents:

Historical Timeline

Corridor Spotlights

• US 202/NH 9 West
• I-89 North
• I-89 South
• US 3/US 4 North
• NH 106
• US 4 East
• NH 28 
• US 3 South

CommuteSmart NH's June Statewide Commuter Challenge has been postponed

Due to current public health concerns, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 June Statewide Challenge. In the meantime, we will be focusing our efforts in creating a bigger and better fall challenge for this October. For more information, check out CommuteSmart NH's website or contact info@commutesmartnh.org.

Emergency Order #23 - Modification of Municipal & Local government Statutory Requirements 

• Emergency Order #23 - Temporary modification of municipal and local government statutory requirements 

Guidance on Public Meetings during COVID-19 State of Emergency

Governor Sununu has issued Executive Order #12 which provides new guidance on the conduct of meetings, including electronic meetings. In addition, the New Hampshire Department of Justice has issued guidance on public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have questions or need some assistance related to public meetings please contact Matt Monahan at CNHRPC.

• Executive Order 12
• Specific Guidance on Holding an Emergency Meeting
• SOE E-Meeting Checklist

What Municipalities should know about Coronavirus - 2019 (COVID-19)

The New Hampshire Municipal Association is providing these resources from federal and state agencies in order to assist cities and towns in developing appropriate responses at the local level regarding COVID-19. Topics include The Right-to-Know Law, Town meeting Postponement, NH SEOC Activation, and more. https://www.nhmunicipal.org/covid-19-resources. 

Biking/Walking Resources and Activities to Utilize During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CommuteSmart NH has provided some informative resources and fun activities related to biking and walking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biking and walking is an ideal way of getting around while maintaining social distancing, combating cabin fever, reducing stress and increasing your health. Please remain safe and make smart decisions for both you and others. You should follow your local government’s guidelines at all times, which supersedes any guidance or recommendations provided here.  View all of the resources here: http://commutesmartnh.org/covid-19-resources-activities/

Google Releases Data on Mobility Changes in New Hampshire due to COVID-19

Google Mobility has provided recent data on commuting trends due to the impact of COVID-19. This data, released on April 15th, shows the change in movement across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential. Trends for Merrimack County are displayed below. Find out more at: https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/

Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has approximately $300,000 of funding available through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program.  This Request for Proposals (RFP) is a second round of funding administered by NHDES through the State Clean Diesel Grant Program.

The State Clean Diesel Grant Program provides partial funding for local/state governments and businesses operating in New Hampshire to reduce emissions through idle reduction technologies, exhaust controls, and/or replacement of older on- or off-road diesel engines/vehicles/equipment with newer engines/vehicles/equipment.  Grant funding is available with a required match by the grantee.  Eligible project submissions will be scored and selected through a competitive solicitation process.  To view prior grant recipients and previous projects visit the NH DERA Project webpage at the link below.

Round 2 RFP applications will be accepted from April 8 through June 3 at 4PM.  To access the RFP, Application, Scoring Criteria and “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” documents visit the NH DERA Project webpage: https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/tps/msp/diesel-vehicles/dera.htm

Spring 2020 Issue of Flood Lines is now available! 

Download the Spring 2020 Flood Lines Newsletter for details on online training, news about elevation certificates, flood plain mapping updates, and more!

Now Available: Spring Report of State Hydrology and Watershed Conditions

The NH Silver Jackets Team, a state-led team of state and federal agencies and programs, announces the 2020 Spring Report of State Hydrology and Watershed Conditions. Team members, including those from NHDES, United States Geological Survey, and the National Weather Service have worked together to compile information on the status of NH streamflows, groundwater conditions, lake levels, snowpack and flood potential heading into the spring snowmelt and runoff season.

The report is designed to provide this important information to local emergency management directors and the public so everyone is aware of how the spring runoff season may progress in terms of flood risk, enabling them to be better prepared. Municipal officials are especially encouraged to download a copy of the Spring Report of State Hydrology and Watershed Conditions.

Agency team members will monitor these conditions in the coming weeks as spring progresses, and are prepared to update this report in mid- to late-March if current predicted flood potential changes. For more information, please contact Shane Csiki, New Hampshire Geological Survey, Shane.Csiki@des.nh.gov  or (603) 271-2876.

CNHRPC Community Profiles Have Been Updated

Carsey School of Public Policy Releases What is New Hampshire?

Useful to policymakers, nonprofits, business leaders, and New Hampshire residents, What is New Hampshire? is now in the hands of the Carsey School of Public Policy after previously being produced by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. While there are some different data sources and historical comparison periods employed in this version, the biggest change is that What is New Hampshire? has moved largely online. As a result:

• Graphics are interactive—allowing users who wish for deeper dives to see data in different ways while not bogging down the presentation for users who do not.
• There will be no single date when the entire publication is released. During 2019 and 2020 sections will be added as they are completed. Subsequently, they will be updated periodically. They will be structured so that as new data are available sections can be updated periodically.

The purpose of What is New Hampshire? is to set a factual baseline of understanding as the state makes decisions about its future. It is a set of facts and simple descriptive text describing where we are, where we have been, and what challenges we may face based on our analysis.

New Hampshire Flood Hazards Handbook for Municipal Officials

A valuable new flood hazards resource is now available for NH’s public officials relating to flood preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. A team collaboration of federal and NH State agencies under the NH Silver Jackets program developed the New Hampshire Flood Hazards Handbook, A Guide for Municipal Officials. Completed with local and regional experienced-based feedback based on flooding events in New Hampshire communities over the last 15 years, the resource was finalized in October 2019 and is available online for download on the NH Silver Jackets website.

The Guide is organized into situation-specific sections: Before the Flood, During the Flood, and After the Flood (both Short Term and Long Term Recovery). Included is an editable Emergency Flood Response and Recovery Checklist for Emergency Management Directors to use during a flooding situation and a list containing essential State Agency Contact Information. An informative article describing the Flood Hazards Handbook in depth is located on the NH Municipal Association website. For further information about the Handbook, contact Samara Ebinger at the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives (NH OSI) by email at samara.ebinger@osi.nh.gov or by phone at 603.271.1755. Be sure to follow NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter @NH_HSEM. Please download your copy of the NH Flood Hazards Handbook today!

FY 2021-2030 Transportation Improvement Program

CNHRPC's Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to cover Fiscal Years 2021-2030 was adopted by CNHRPC's Full Commission on April 11, 2019.
The CNHRPC 2021-2030 TIP 

NH-MS4 Municipalities Blog