After the Patriot’s Day floods of 2007, the Emerald Acres Housing Cooperative in Barrington, N.H., knew they had a problem.

April 22 is Earth Day, a special day for us at NHDES, but honestly, we think Earth Day is Every Day … or Every Day is Earth Day? I sometimes get it confused! The point is this message rings true for everyone that gets up in the morning and comes to work at NHDES, and we believe that it should be that way for everyone else, too. 

On February 7, 2024, the EPA strengthened the primary annual fine particulate matter (particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter, or PM2.5) standard from 12.0 ug/m3 to 9.0 ug/m3 “to reflect new science on harms caused by particle pollution.” This change was made to protect public health, helping to prevent premature deaths and avoid asthma attacks, as well as strengthening the economy through avoided lost workdays.  

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) National Small Business Week will be celebrated April 28 through May 2, recognizing the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, creating about two out of every three new jobs in the United States each year. According to data from U.S.

Asbestos is extremely hazardous to your health and the environment and is still an ingredient in building products available for sale and being used today. It is not safe to assume that because a structure was built after a certain date, it is safe to renovate or demolish without first identifying whether asbestos is present. In fact, there are strict rules in place pertaining to the handling and abatement of asbestos to protect public health. 

During December and January, NHDES’ Pollution Prevention (P2) Program visited five schools to provide free, confidential guidance to school administrators and staff on common questions regarding proper chemical storage, managing hazardous and universal wastes (for example, mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs and old thermostats), how to dispose of unwanted chemicals, and energy and water conservation strategies.  

The Municipal EcoLink is a monthly e-bulletin designed to inform cities and towns of the latest environmental ideas, trends, grants, rules and more from NHDES. We respectfully request that municipalities electronically distribute or otherwise make available this newsletter to your municipal committees, councils and boards. Please feel free to post it on your municipal website as well.
        

Have you ever seen the word “ecotourism” while researching your next vacation and you weren’t quite sure what it was about? The concept of ecotourism has emerged as a compelling and responsible way to explore the world. Unlike traditional tourism, this sustainable approach not only encourages travelers to explore natural wonders and culturally significant areas, but it also offers numerous benefits to the environment, local communities and the overall global ecosystem when done correctly.