NH’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Awards Funding for Nippo Lake Watershed Initiative
EPPING – This week, Governor Sununu announced $4.3 million in matching grants to support thirty-four land conservation and historic preservation projects across the state by the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). The grants will assist municipalities, non-profit organizations and community groups in rehabilitating 17 historic structures and permanently conserving more than 2,700 acres of farm, timber, and ecologically significant land in all ten counties of the state, including the Nippo Lake Watershed Initiative in Barrington.
SELT (the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire), located in Epping and serving Strafford and Rockingham counties has received a $350,000 grant award to support the Nippo Lake Watershed Initiative through the conservation of the 163-acre Landry Forest, owned by long time residents Jim and Joan Landry. Securing a conservation easement on the Landry Forest will conserve 25% of the Nippo Lake watershed, protect more than 2,200 feet of shoreline and scenic views, and preserve wildlife habitat. The property also includes the peak and slopes of Mt. Misery which, at 570 feet, is the second highest point in Barrington.
“Land conservation is one of the primary tools for helping keep clean water clean,” says Brian Hart, SELT’s Executive Director. “The Landry property provides a major opportunity to build on momentum launched by the Nippo Lake Association to sustain the lake’s water quality. Through our partnership with the Association, and powered by the generous LCHIP grant, SELT will acquire a conservation easement on the entire forest, which will prohibit further development while allowing for public access for hiking and other types of recreation.”
LCHIP grant recipients are required to match each dollar contributed by LCHIP with a minimum of one additional dollar, and to complete the funded projects according to the program’s rigorous standards. This year’s awards of $4.3 million will be matched by more than $15 million in funding from other public and private sources, infusing a total of more than nineteen million dollars into the state’s economy in direct project activity. Recipients will be expected to complete the funded work within two years. A list of previously completed LCHIP-funded projects can be found at www.LCHIP.org.
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About New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) is an independent state authority created by the legislature in 2000 to ensure the perpetual contribution of natural, cultural and historic resources to the economy, environment, and quality of life in New Hampshire. Since 2000, LCHIP has provided 564 matching grants to municipalities and non-profit organizations, investing over $58 million to help partners conserve more than 236,000 acres of land and rehabilitate 341 historic buildings. Grants have been awarded in all parts of the state and in 195 of New Hampshire’s 234 communities. The money for LCHIP grants comes from a surcharge assessed when recording documents at county Registries of Deeds. For more information about LCHIP, visit LCHIP.org or call (603) 224-4113
About SELT
SELT is a nonprofit land trust with a mission to protect and sustain the significant lands in our communities for clean water, fresh food, outdoor recreation, healthy forests, and wildlife. Since 1980, the Southeast Land Trust has worked in 52 communities of southeastern New Hampshire to conserve more than 25,000 acres of land through conservation agreements and ownerships. SELT is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. For more information, visit seltnh.org.