RSA 487:31. Volunteer Lake Assessment Program Established.

I. There is established within the department of environmental services the New Hampshire volunteer lake assessment program to provide water quality data to the state and federal governments to define water quality trends; provide data for lake protection, management, and remediation programs; provide information to classify New Hampshire waters; and supply data for surface water quality reports. II. To the extent that funds are available, the department shall: (a) Assist volunteer organizations to monitor the water quality of public lakes and ponds and tributaries to said lakes and ponds; (b) Provide technical assistance to lake associations, municipalities, educational facilities, and the general public for the purpose of monitoring lake water quality; (c) Educate citizens in the need and methods to sample lakes and ponds and the importance of keeping the state's waters clean; (d) Provide the water quality data obtained by volunteers to other state programs that administer water quality programs, the federal government, including the Environmental Protection Agency, and municipalities; (e) Provide volunteer monitoring organizations with an annual monitoring report that includes historical data and trends and recommendations to keep a lake or pond within the water quality standards; and (f) Loan sampling equipment to volunteer monitoring organizations as needed. Source: Source. 2005, 114:1, eff. Aug. 14, 2005.