New Hampshire Senate Bill SB109

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/22/25
• Refer: 2/21/25
• Refer: 3/6/25
• Refer: 11/4/25

Caption

Relative to alteration of terrain permits.

Impact

The bill is seen as a significant shift in how the Fish and Game Department handles consultations related to the environmental impact of new permits. The introduction of a dedicated Threatened and Endangered Species Compensatory Mitigation Fund aims to finance projects benefiting threatened and endangered species, such as habitat restoration. However, the bill's proponents argue that the expedited process could lead to concerns regarding the depth of environmental reviews, as a shorter timeline may limit the agency's ability to thoroughly assess potential impacts.

Summary

SB109 aims to amend the existing laws relating to alteration of terrain permits by establishing a new process for consultations regarding impacts to threatened and endangered species. The bill mandates that applicants for permits, approvals, or other authorizations must submit requests for consultation to the executive director of the Fish and Game Department. This change is intended to streamline the review process while ensuring that adequate measures are taken to protect endangered species and their habitats during construction or land use changes.

Contention

One of the primary points of contention surrounding SB109 is whether the expedited consultation process will adequately protect endangered species. Opponents fear that the new timeline could compromise existing protections and that the Fish and Game Department may not have the necessary resources to handle the expected increase in workload. Additionally, there may be concerns about the adequacy and funding of the new compensatory mitigation fund, as the department could face challenges in estimating the potential revenue and expenditures associated with this fund.