The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) was established by statute during the 1986 legislative session and became operational on January 2, 1987. One of the innovative features of this new State agency was the creation of the unique Public Information and Permitting (PIP) Unit within the Office of the Commissioner.

The specific charge of this new unit was set forth in RSA 21-O:12, IV ("Department of Environmental Services/Office of the Commissioner",). Briefly stated, the PIP Unit is responsible for directly linking all agency staff and resources with constituent needs in a comprehensive and timely manner, as well as providing guidance and referrals for all pertinent federal and local resources and requirements, as applicable. The PIP Unit’s mission is to:

…integrate and disseminate public information, data, and technical guidance to enhance compliance with environmental programs, create a better understanding of contemporary issues and events, and provide the tools for more informed decision making and stewardship by those we serve.

This may involve the coordination of major projects with environmental or public health impacts, organization of multiple-program, inter-agency, or international projects, issues and events, coordination of legislative activities, facilitating public information exchange and media relations, publication availability and Web page oversight, and file reviews of agency records as required by RSA 91-A ("Access to Public Records and Meetings"), New Hampshire’s "Right-to-Know Act".

The PIP Unit offers a wide array of "One-Stop" services through its Public Information Center (PIC). For example, if you anticipate the introduction of a new (or expansion of an existing) facility or practice in New Hampshire, you may benefit from consulting the Guidebook for Environmental Permits in New Hampshire, or you may request a pre-application meeting to discuss early design preferences or infrastructure requirements with key agency personnel by calling (603) 271-3306 (email at pip@des.state.nh.us). Or, for media inquiries, call the agency’s Public Information Officer at (603) 271-3710 (email at jmartin@des.state.nh.us). For all publication needs, call (603) 271-2975 or 271-8876 (email at pberube@des.state.nh.us). Finally, if you wish to conduct a file review of agency records, call (603) 271-8808 (email at filereview@des.state.nh.us).

Let the Public Information Center be your "Gateway to DES…"