The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services announced on May 5 that the changes to the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA) enacted April 1, 2008 have been repealed and reenacted with a new effective date of July 1, 2008.  The state is now operating under the preexisting law and rules.  New projects and activities conducted within the protected shoreland do not require a permit until July 1, 2008.

Certain elements of the CSPA enacted on April 1, 2008 were not repealed and will remain in effect, including:

• The minimum primary structure setback in all towns is 50 feet from protected waters. This provision supercedes local ordinances that maintain a lesser primary setback.
• The CSPA now applies to the Saco and Pemigiwasset Rivers and all great ponds and 4th order or greater streams.

The New Hampshire Legislature is considering additional amendments to the CSPA, which may also become effective July 1, 2008.  For further information or clarification, visit the DES website at www.des.nh.gov/cspa or call Jason Aube, Shoreland Protection Outreach Specialist at 603 271-8176.