CONTACT:
Charlie Bridges (603) 271-2461
Glenn Normandeau: (603) 271-3511
April 12, 2011

N.H. Fish and Game Commission Resolution Supports LCHIP

CONCORD, N.H. -- The N.H. Fish and Game Commission unanimously passed a resolution supporting the work and accomplishments of the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, commonly known as LCHIP, at their March meeting. The resolution further calls for the State Legislature to provide LCHIP with the full amount of revenue generated from the dedicated account that was established for funding LCHIP grants. (See full text of the resolution, below.)

The Commission’s action reflects their understanding of the value to New Hampshire citizens of the fish and wildlife habitats and other natural resources that LCHIP helps protect. Since the program began in 2001, LCHIP has provided 202 grants to projects that have conserved more than 290,000 acres in 136 New Hampshire communities. In the true spirit of Granite State frugality, every $1.00 LCHIP provides in grants returns another $6.26 of added value as applicants raise additional funds needed to complete their projects. Clean water, working forestland and sustainable fish and wildlife populations result from the relatively modest investment made by the State in funding LCHIP grants.

Dijit Taylor, the Interim Executive Director of LCHIP, noted, “The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program has made highly effective investments in the natural, historic and cultural resources of the state. In just ten years, an investment of $26 million of state money through LCHIP grants has led to project value of $186 million, with the other funds coming from a variety of private, municipal and federal sources.” Taylor added that LCHIP’s many successes are of special interest to the sportsmen and women of the state, since “LCHIP-protected properties are open for public access, specifically including hunting and fishing, in perpetuity.”

Even in these difficult economic times, the N.H. Fish and Game Commission recognizes that maintaining New Hampshire’s character and quality of life, the true N.H. advantage, depends on investing in the conservation of those things that make New Hampshire special. According to Taylor, more than 300 additional projects are waiting to apply for future LCHIP grants when they again become available. State budget proposals currently under consideration do not include funding for LCHIP grants.

LCHIP: www.lchip.org
N.H. Fish and Game Commission: www.wildnh.com/Inside_FandG/commission.htm

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New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission

Resolution on the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program

      Whereas, the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) was created in the year 2000 with overwhelming public and legislative support, and

      Whereas, the purpose of LCHIP is to conserve New Hampshire’s most important natural, cultural and historic resources through public-private partnerships that ensure the perpetual contribution of these resources to the state’s economy, environment and overall quality of life, and

      Whereas, since its inception, LCHIP has contributed to the conservation of more than 290,000 acres of land with significant fish and wildlife habitat through 202 grants in 136 New Hampshire communities, and a leverage ratio of $6.26 of added value for each $1.00 invested, and

      Whereas, resource assets acquired through LCHIP are held in the public trust and open in perpetuity for pedestrian access to, on and across the properties for hunting, fishing and transitory passive recreational purposes by the public, and

      Whereas, the Legislature established a dedicated account in 2008 to fund LCHIP grants through a $25.00 recording surcharge on four types of documents at the County Registries of Deeds, and as presently constituted uses no general fund money.

      Now, therefore, be it Resolved that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission supports the work and accomplishments of the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, and advocates for its continued funding, and

      Be it Further Resolved that the Commission requests that the Legislature provide the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program with the full amount of revenue that is generated through the dedicated account that has been established for funding LCHIP grants.

      Adopted by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission on this 16th day of March, 2011.

(signed)                     
Robert Rowan, Chairman
NH Fish and Game Commission