NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW)

The New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW) is a collaboration of over 35 organizations working to ensure coastal watershed communities are resourceful, ready and resilient to the impacts of extreme weather and long term climate change. CAW hosts a biennial Climate Summit event and Picturing Rising Tides photo initiative. Sign up for CAW’s quarterly newsletter here.

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Great Bay Reserve is dedicated to helping New Hampshire residents enjoy, understand, and protect the Great Bay Estuary. Come visit our exhibit room, walk the boardwalk and trails, and learn about our research, education and stewardship programs. You can contact Lynn Vaccaro, Coastal Training Program Coordinator at: Lynn.E.Vaccaro@wildlife.nh.gov 

NHDES Coastal Program

The Coastal Program at the NH Department of Environmental Services is one of 34 federally approved coastal programs authorized under the Coastal Zone Management Act. The Coastal Program protects clean water, restores coastal habitats, and helps make communities more resilient to flooding and other natural hazards through staff assistance and funding to 42 coastal towns and cities as well as other local and regional groups. You can contact Jennifer Gilbert, Coastal Resilience Project Manager: jennifer.r.gilbert@des.nh.gov. 

NH Sea Grant

Based at the University of New Hampshire, NH Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs in the U.S. under the umbrella of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Sea Grant College Program. NH Sea Grant works to support a coastal environment that sustains healthy ecosystems, economies, and people through research, extension, education, and communications. NH Sea Grant hosts workshops, delivers educational programming, and offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. You can contact Lisa Wise, Coastal Resilience Specialist: Lisa.Wise@unh.edu 

Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership

The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) is a collaborative-driven local organization and National Estuary Program. PREP is dedicated to protecting and restoring our region’s waterways and estuaries, working with towns, researchers, and local organizations to offer scientifically-informed solutions to improve the health of our waters. Contact Abigail Lyon, Community Engagement Manager: Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu

UNH Extension

UNH Extension offices staffed by specialists, educators, support personnel and volunteers are located in each of the state’s 10 counties. UNH Extension works in five broad topic areas: Community and Economic Development, Education & 4-H Youth Development, Food & Agriculture, Health and Well-Being, and Natural Resources. Extension hosts workshops and programs on a variety of topics, and offers a range of volunteer opportunities. You can contact Lisa Wise, Coastal Resilience Specialist: Lisa.Wise@unh.edu

NH Coastal Access Map
The New Hampshire coast is full of adventures, especially if you know where to look! The NH Coastal Access Map is your guide to 90 places to kayak, walk, swim, fish, and play along the rivers, bays, and beaches that make this region one of our state’s gems. This printed map is available from libraries and can be downloaded online. 

7 Rivers to the Coast
This new website is designed to help all residents get to know the rivers and estuaries of southeastern NH and also find ways to get involved in helping to protect the waters. This website and the associated e-newsletter is a great resource to share with clients moving to the area and looking to get more involved.

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Great Bay Reserve is dedicated to helping New Hampshire residents enjoy, understand, and protect the Great Bay Estuary so that its benefits may be enjoyed for generations. Come visit our exhibit room, walk the boardwalk and trails, and learn about our research, education and stewardship programs.

Habitat Stewardship Brochures
UNH Cooperative Extension
A series of 12 brochures to help landowners learn about and conserve important wildlife habitats found on their land.

NH Healthy Swimming Mapper
NH Department of Environmental Services
Use this online map to find current advisories, warnings, and watches for fecal bacteria or cyanobacteria from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Advisories and warnings are posted and updated by the Beach Inspection Program for public beaches, but the mapper can not tell you what the conditions are currently at your favorite swimming area. Cyanobacteria bloom conditions can change rapidly and it is important to perform a self-risk assessment by looking at the water for unusual growth or discoloration before swimming.

Maine Healthy Beaches Portal
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Use this online map to find elevated bacteria advisories, precautionary rainfall advisories, closures, and sites with elevated bacteria along Maine’s coast. The Maine Healthy Beaches program is a statewide effort to monitor water quality and protect public health at Maine’s participating coastal saltwater beaches. For more information on a specific beach, contact the local beach manager. 

NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) – Protected Shoreland
Within this website there are additional resources. The Protected Shoreland FAQ has answers to the most common questions and additional resources about specific provisions in the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act. NHDES offers a Shoreland Permit Guidance Tool that property owners can use to determine if a project needs a shoreland permit. The Consolidated List of Water Bodies Subject to RSA 483-B, the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act  (SWQPA) is a comprehensive list for all communities in NH and can be used to identify if a property is subject to the SWQPA and how to determine the reference line or surface elevation for a public water body. 

Environmental Fact Sheet: Vegetation Management for Water Quality
NH Department of Environmental Services 
This fact sheet details reference line determinations, setbacks, allowable vegetation management practices and planning, and permit requirements for a NHDES shoreland permit.  

NHDES – Wetlands
Visit this webpage to learn about permitting resources, technical assistance, wetlands mitigation, and more. There are frequently asked question webpages for Wetlands and Stream Crossings, Docks in Non-Tidal Areas, and Water Access Structures and Shoreline Stabilization in Non-Tidal Areas that address common questions. 

National Wetlands Inventory – Wetlands Mapper
US Fish and Wildlife Service
The Wetlands Mapper offers current information on the status, extent, characteristics, and functions of wetlands, riparian areas, and deep water habitats. It can be used to locate large wetland complexes on or adjacent to a property, but should be a first step toward confirming the presence of wetlands on a property. Contacting the municipality and consulting a NH Certified Wetland Scientist will be more accurate. 

NH Association of Natural Resource Scientists (NHANRS)
NHANRS is a membership of wetland scientists, soil scientists, biologists, foresters, surveyors, ecologists, state and municipal employees and citizens who work to promote the science of New Hampshire’s wetlands and soils. Residents can consult their membership directory to locate certified professionals to assist with permitting and projects on or near shoreland and wetlands. 

Environmental Fact Sheet: Permitting for Private, Non-Commercial Freshwater Docking Structures
NHDES
This fact sheet is an overview of wetland permit requirements for all new docking structures and modification of docking structures, including seasonal and permanent docking structures, and all boat and jet-ski lifts. Details include boat slip limitations, dock size limitations, installation of new seasonal and permanent docks, repair of existing docks, swim raft and moorings, and more. 

Environmental Fact Sheet: Permitting of Residential Tidal Docks
NHDES
This fact sheet is an overview of wetland permit requirements for docking structures located in tidal waters and the unique requirements to accommodate the rise and fall of tidal waters and wave energy and ice flows. Details include configurations and dimensions, design and location requirements, construction requirements, access, and calculation of application fees. 

Granite State Onsite Wastewater Association (GSOWA)
GSOWA is a trade association of septic pumpers, designers, installers, evaluators, and consultants related to the onesite wastewater (i.e., septic system) industry. They offer a “Find a Professional Locator” tool that is searchable based on location and type of professional including septic system designers, evaluators, installers, professional engineers, pumpers, and more. 

Environmental Fact Sheet: You and Your Septic – A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic System Maintenance
NHDES
This fact sheet is an overview of how septic systems work and what homeowners can do to properly maintain their septic system. The last page includes a record keeping template to record the location of the septic tank in relation to the house and pumpinking service and maintenance calls.

Brochure: What’s Flushable
NHDES
Brochure outlining what can be flushed regardless of wastewater treatment – either septic systems or municipal sewer.

Brochure: Get Pumped! New Hampshire & Website 
NHDES
Get Pumped! New Hampshire encourages septic system owners to not wait for a failing system before scheduling maintenance or a pump of their system. The website contains information about what can be put down the drain, how to protect your family, property value, and water quality, and steps residents can take.

Buffer Options for the Bay
This website provides information about buffers intended to support local land use decisions in New Hampshire’s Great Bay region. There are resources defining buffers, how they work, and what they protect. 

NH Coastal Viewer
Developed and managed by NH GRANIT in partnership with the NHDES Coastal Program
This is an online mapping tool that offers users access to spatial data describing NH’s coastal resources and coastal hazards. For example, go to the “Oceans and Coasts” category to find the Sea Level Rise Scenario data layers or Tidal Wetland layers near a property of interest. Go to the “Biology and Ecology” category to view the National Wetlands Inventory layer, or the “Environment and Conservation” category to see Conservation and Public Lands. Disclaimer: The data presented in the NH Coastal Viewer are for information purposes, and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes.

ME Sea Level Rise/Storm Surge Mapper
Maine Geological Survey
This mapping tool displays data layers showing the potential inland extent of inundation from several scenarios of sea level rise or storm surge along the Maine coastline on top of the Highest Astronomical Tide. Use this to explore the potential extent of flooding from storms and rising sea levels around a particular area of interest. See disclaimers on the website re: use of the data. 

NOAA Tide Predictions
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Find predicted tides at locations of interest. Use this site to find the timing of high and low tide and predicted water levels. Note this does not factor in real-time water levels and storms, but the annual tide prediction table for a given station can show the anticipated timing of low/high tides throughout the year, and when higher tide levels are expected (i.e. “king tides”).

NOAA National Water Prediction Service – Hydrographs
Hydrographs show real-time water level observations and 3-day forecasts. These are available for Seavey Island in Kittery and Hampton Harbor. This shows when minor, moderate, or major flooding is predicted in the near term. 

NH Coastal Flood Risk (CFR) Summary
NHDES Coastal Program
Part I: Science report shares the latest projections for sea-level rise, groundwater rise, and precipitation in coastal NH. Part II: Guidance for Using Scientific Projections offers a step-by-step process for incorporating these projections in decision-making. Note these are in the process of being updated; updated versions will be published in 2025.

How to Check Tide Levels in Hampton, NH
NHDES Coastal Program, NERACOOS, and NOAA
This 3-page resource summarizes how to find tide information for Hampton and explains how to read a hydrograph.

MAPS:

FEMA Map Service Center
The official online location to find all flood hazard mapping products created under the National Flood Insurance Program.

FEMA National Flood Hazard Viewer
An interactive map viewer to view, download and print current local digital effective flood hazard data.

NH Flood Hazards Viewer
An interactive map viewer to view FEMA’s current local digital effective flood hazard data with the state’s contour data, tax parcel boundaries (where available), and sea-level rise scenarios.

ME Flood Hazard Map Viewer
An interactive map viewer to view FEMA’s current local digital effective flood hazard data and the digitized features from printed, non-digital effective flood hazard data (where applicable).

FLOOD DISCLOSURE:

NH Flood Disclosure Notifications
Summary of New Hampshire’s flood disclosure legislation that was signed into law in 2024.

ME Flood Hazard Disclosure Law
Maine’s statute that details the flood disclosure requirements that went into effect in 2024.

ME Flood Hazard Disclosure and FIRMette Step by Step How To Guide
Maine Association of Realtors^© guidance document on how to create a FIRMette (a portion of the FEMA floodplain map) to answer one of the new flood disclosure questions.

ADDITIONAL FLOOD RISK INFORMATION:

Flood Risk Information | Realtor.com®
Flood risk information including a comparison of FEMA’s floodplain data and Flood Factor™ data and how to prepare and protect your home for buyers/owners and sellers.

Zillow introduces First Street’s comprehensive climate risk data on for-sale listings across the US

FEMA Elevation Certificates
FEMA document that is used to evaluate a building’s First Floor Height (FFH) and adjacent elevation, stay in compliance with floodplain regulations, and help lower the cost of flood insurance coverage.

FEMA Flood Smart: Flood Insurance Resources

Free NFIP Publications Order Form

• A Real Estate Professional’s Guide to Discussing Flood Insurance brochure
• Questions & Answers About the NFIP for Real Estate Professionals

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• FEMA-National Association of Realtors Toolkit: Flood Preparedness Resources
• NH Insurance Department | Disaster Preparedness
• NH Insurance Department | Flood and Storm Information
• NH Office of Planning and Development | State Floodplain Management Program