Strategic Planning

An aspirational, “big picture” strategic plan helps the department carry out its essential mission of sustaining a high quality of life for all citizens by protecting and restoring the environment and public health in New Hampshire and helps to guide the agency’s multi-faceted work over the long haul.

The NHDES Strategic Plan shows that we are hard at work ensuring high levels of water quality for water supplies, ecological balance and swimming, fishing, and boating. We are also protecting the air that we breathe, cleaning up contaminated sites, responding to complaints and natural- and man-made disasters, fostering the proper management of municipal and industrial wastes, and managing water resources for future generations.

The following Guiding Principles, which are also embedded in our Strategic Plan, inform everything NHDES does to serve all who live, work and play in New Hampshire.

• We foster environmental awareness and stewardship through education, outreach and assistance. 
• We are the New Hampshire lead on environmental and sustainability issues.
• We consider quality of life, public health and economic vitality while pursuing our responsibilities.
• We are committed to scientifically based, cost-effective and environmentally sound solutions.
• We consider the long-term, cumulative effects of our policies, programs and decisions.
• We afford fair and equitable treatment of all individuals and groups in the implementation of federal and state statutes, regulations, rules, programs, policies, and in the management of the agency.
• We provide timely and consistent responses to all customers and meaningful opportunities for public participation.
• We strive for excellence in all operations and are committed to continuous improvement and innovative approaches.
• We promote mutual respect and effective communication.
• We strive for a positive work environment that attracts a dedicated and talented staff.

EPA Performance Partnership Agreement and Work Plans

While it is critically important to pay attention to our long-term strategic planning goals and objectives, the agency must also continue to accomplish the many day-to-day tasks such as: 1) meeting its many state and federal statutory and funding requirements; 2) investigating and resolving complaints and fulfilling customer inquiries; 3) responding to spills and natural- and man-made disasters; 4) reviewing and processing permits and licensing applications; 5) administering grants and loans; 6) conducting inspections and research; 7) taking and evaluating samples; 8) providing education and outreach; 9) carrying out a whole host of internal processes to keep things running smoothly, and in general, 10) working hard to satisfy a plethora of customer and stakeholder needs. 

NHDES manages its many responsibilities in large part by generating and managing comprehensive work plans via its performance measures system called the Measures Tracking and Reporting System (MTRS) database. Other planning and implementation tools include Performance Partnership Agreements and the associated Grants (PPAs & PPGs), as well as negotiated, federally-funded work plans with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These work plans are also referred to as the Priorities and Commitments (P&C) List.

PPAs, the cornerstone of the National Environmental Performance Partnership System (NEPPS) are typically entered into by states and EPA to help:

• Direct limited resources to the most significant environmental priorities. 
• Provide the state and its partners flexibility for achieving environmental results.
• Improve environmental performance and strengthen relationships.
• Improve government accountability for performance. 
• Enhance public understanding of environmental conditions and trends.

This PPA sets forth the goals, objectives, activities, deliverables and measures of progress for the state and federal environmental programs under the NHDES’ jurisdiction. In total, the Agreement describes how the available financial, human, and technical resources will be utilized at NHDES and at EPA to address the most significant environmental and public health issues of concern to New Hampshire and its citizens.