GRA: NHDES Wants More Information


Dedicated to Securing A Truly Perfect Location for Goffstown's Future Kindergarten & Elementary Schools

NH DES Wants More Information on Proposed Kindergarten Site
Plan submitted by school district incomplete; does not include future elementary school
Click here to read DES Letter | Click here to read Conservation Commission Memo to NH DES

GOFFSTOWN, NH - In a September 16, 2005 letter to the Town of Goffstown, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has requested numerous items of additional information before considering approval of the School District's application for a standard dredge & fill permit at the proposed Glen Lake kindergarten site.

In their letter, the DES noted that "the proposed development does not appear to avoid and minimize overall wetland and stream disturbance". They also noted that the plans fail to show the wetland boundaries and stream locations (including the top-of-banks) for the entire lot, as well as the location of all proposed lot lines. They asked the district to re-submit plans that clearly identify the wetland classifications and stream types.

No Elementary School

The DES has requested in their letter to the Town that it "provide a master plan and a conceptual layout for proposed future phases of development".

The plans submitted to the DES do not include, or indicate, future expansion to an elementary school as school superintendent Darryll Lockwood presented to the public at the planning board meeting of August 11, 2005. At that meeting, the planning board refused to recommend the site until the vastly increased environmental and wetland impacts which would be created by the addition of an elementary school were taken into consideration in the plan.

Drainage Issues

The DES found numerous other problems with the school district's application. "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".

The DES also found that the current proposal is to fill 8,698 square feet of wetland and streams at 3 crossings. Their letter went on to state "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)."

Other Problems

The DES noted that the plan was not stamped by a Certified Wetlands Scientist as required by state regulations. In addition, the Department also noted that the NH Fish & Game Department has identified 2 species of concern within the project vicinity, and asked the Town to contact them regarding this issue.

Click here to read the entire DES letter to the Town of Goffstown.

Click here to read Conservation Commission Memo to NH DES