Watershed Management Bureau

  Coastal Program

    Dredge Management Task Force

The New Hampshire Dredge Management Task Force (DMTF) is an interagency work group formed in 1993 to review existing and proposed dredging projects and to develop policies, rules and guidelines for dredging activities in New Hampshire's coastal waters. The DMTF provides technical and regulatory expertise to ensure that dredging projects are conducted in a manner consistent with state and federal rules and regulations.

Regular participants in the DMTF include the Department of Environmental Services New Hampshire Coastal Program (NHCP), Wetlands Bureau and Waste Management Division; the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department; Pease Development Authority - Division of Ports and Harbors; US Army Corps of Engineers; US Environmental Protection Agency; National Marine Fisheries Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service; University of New Hampshire; and New Hampshire Congressional staff.

The DMTF is currently reviewing a number of existing and proposed maintenance dredging projects, including the Cocheco River in Dover, Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth, Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River, and Hampton/Seabrook Harbor. The DMTF is also working to identify potential onshore and offshore sites to accommodate New Hampshire's future dredge material disposal needs.

Recently completed projects reviewed by the DMTF include the Seabrook Harbor/River Street shoreline erosion control demonstration project, dredging of the US Coast Guard basin in New Castle, and dredging of the Phillips-Exeter Academy docking facilities on the Squamscott River in Exeter.

The Coastal Program currently chairs the DMTF and meetings are generally held bimonthly at the DES Pease field office in Portsmouth. DMFT meetings are open to the public. For additional information or questions regarding the DMTF, please contact Christian Williams, DMTF chair, at (603) 559-0025 or cwilliams@des.state.nh.us.