Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact for proposed work on my property?
A: The Building Inspector and Code enforcement officer ( https://www.barrington.nh.gov/building-departmentcode-enforcement ) calls the shots on buildings, construction and zoning. For docks and waterside buildings, septic systems, and most excavation, construction or landscaping within 250 feet of a protected shore, the NH Department of Environmental Services ( https://www.des.nh.gov/ ) also has jurisdiction.
How can I help conservation activities in Barrington?
A: The Barrington Conservation Commission-BCC (email: Barringtonconservation@gmail.com ) and Barrington Trails Committee-BTC (Barrtrails@gmail.com ) are always looking for interested citizens to help. The BBC conducts bimonthly meetings, reviews construction projects, land deals, conserves and monitors properties throughout the town. The BTC meets monthly and plans, constructs, and maintains the public trails and leads monthly hikes. Write the email addresses above for more details or an opportunity to be a guest at a meeting to learn more.
What waters in Barrington are protected shorelands and would require permitting for construction, excavation and landscaping activities within 250 feet of the shore?
A: The Isinglass River, Nippo, Branch Mallego and Stonehouse Brooks. Lakes and ponds include: Ayers, Farm, Little Long, Long, Mendums, Nippo, North River, Preston, Round, Stonehouse, Swains, Union Lake and Winkley. See a complete list at the DES (https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/consolidated-list.pdf )
What waters in Barrington are protected shorelands and would require permitting for construction, excavation and landscaping activities within 250 feet of the shore?
A: The Isinglass River, Nippo, Branch Mallego and Stonehouse Brooks. Lakes and ponds include: Ayers, Farm, Little Long, Long, Mendums, Nippo, North River, Preston, Round, Stonehouse, Swains, Union Lake and Winkley. See a complete list at the DES (https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/consolidated-list.pdf )
Putting in a dock? Adding sand on a beach? Doing something near a shoreline or in a wetland?
In each of the questions above you are probably dealing with “wetlands.” See below and click the attached link to get an idea of what a wetland is. Your land development project may require a state permit from the NH Department of Environmental Services.
If I need a permit for any of the activities, where do I get it?
If you need a permit for one of the activities mentioned in the “Got Permits” publication, you can probably find further details at DES web site here: DES Website
NOTE LINK ABOVE NEEDS CORRECTING.
How can the town afford to buy up all of this conservation land?
Most of the conserved lands in Barrington are not owned by the town, but are privately owned and protected via Conservation Easements (see below). When the town expends money for a conservation easement it is only paying for (and exterminating) the rights to develop the land, not for the land itself – a very considerable savings. In most cases, the cost to the town of the easement itself is also lessened by grants from federal or state agencies, and/or by donation of the development value by the landowner.
Most of the money spent by the town to acquire conservation easements comes from the Conservation Fund, a pool of funds that is completely excluded from the town’s operating budget (see RSA 36-A:5). The source if its funding comes from the Land Use Change Tax, a tax that is imposed when land comes out of Current Use and is subdivided for development (see RSA 79-A:7 and RSA 79-A:25). Thus the loss of open space from development is at least somewhat mitigated by the tax paid into the conservation fund, which can be used to protect other land.
It should also be noted that numerous studies have shown that development of land for residential use results in a net loss of revenue to the town. Although owners of new houses will pay property taxes, that increase is more than offset by the increase in services that the town must provide. For a summary of one study, click here.
In a Conservation Easement the land remains in private hands and generally can continue to be utilized for forestry and agriculture, but the rights to develop it for houses have been permanently extinguished. For a further description of conservation easements, click here.
PERMITS
Here is a guide for applying for a permit
Attention: Changes to Permit Applications
In an effort to provide a higher quality, more streamlined permitting process for the regulated public, most Land Resources Management Programs have updated their permit application forms. If you provide permit applications to the public or submit permit applications to DES, please take a moment to discard old permit application forms and ensure you have the newest versions.
- All current application forms are available at their respective DES web pages
Alteration of Terrain Bureau https://www.des.nh.gov/land/land-development
Subsurface Systems Bureau https://www.des.nh.gov/land/septic-systems
New Hampshire is the envy of many other states because it has long had laws protecting its wetlands. The link below describes some of the benefits that are realized from conserving wetlands.
Wetlands Bureau https://www.des.nh.gov/water/wetlands
New Hampshire protects the shorelines of its lakes and rivers to reduce threats to water quality, protect important wildlife habitat, and keep the appearances of the water bodies more natural. Here’s a link to what is regulated via the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act.
Shoreland Program https://www.des.nh.gov/land/waterfront-development/protected-shoreland