NASHUA, NH – This past summer, the area around Sandy Pond flooded so badly that animals living around the pond were swept into the surrounding housing units, leaving the homes with infestations.
“The current flood data shows that that area does not flood,” said Allyson Snell, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) community partnerships manager, during a Nov. 14 “community conversation” at the Arlington Street Center – which drew a larger-than-expected crowd of neighbors. “The data that we have available right now is not reflective of the reality of flooding in the entire state.”
The current 2014 Merrimack River Watershed Conservation Plan focuses on traditional land conservation in undeveloped, forested land areas along the watershed for conservation investment and grant funding eligibility through the Merrimack Conservation Partnership (The Partnership).
However, the plan has ignored urban and developed areas, such as Nashua. Therefore it has excluded these communities from opportunities to acquire funding projects that could provide benefits to address climate change, to improve access to nature, and improve overall water quality in the Merrimack River by addressing storm water pollution and sewer overflow from densely populated areas.
TNC and The Partnership are working together to update the 2014 conservation plan with a focus on equity, centering on people and nature. The revised plan will recognize opportunities to invest in climate resilience, access to green spaces, and water quality in developed areas.
The Nov. 14 Arlington Street meeting with neighbors was one way to connect with those who can provide more real-time data in these three investment areas in Nashua.
“We are creating a conservation map of the Merrimack River Watershed that emphasizes the importance of investing in conservation initiatives in both undeveloped and urban areas, by emphasizing and incorporating the priorities of those who reside in these communities,”
Snell said. “It’s really helpful to get these perspectives, especially because a good chunk of Nashua is what the EPA designated an environmental injustice community.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental justice means:
“The just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, tribal affiliation, or disability in agency-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people:
- Are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers; and
- Have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment in which to live, play, work, learn, grow, worship, and engage in cultural and subsistence practices.”
At the event, members of the community were asked to identify areas with green spaces, trees, and areas of flooding.
Snell mentioned that the more tree coverage in an area, the cooler that area will be, which could lower air conditioning bills for those who reside in those areas.
Attendees said that there seems to be more nature coverage in suburban areas and less downtown – the focus on Main Street being expanded sidewalks, restaurant space and other developments at the expense of parks – and on the tree streets, where it was said that there isn’t much room for trees.
It was mentioned that tree planting should be focused downtown, while someone added that trees don’t tend to survive downtown because of all the asphalt and presence of power lines.
“Currently, the Merrimack River Watershed Conservation Plan is a valuable resource that is used by over 30 local organizations and along the entire watershed, as well as municipal and state governments,” Snell said. “The priorities included in the current plan – and the future updates that we are in the process of gathering – can help local governments and organizations seeking grant funding for critical infrastructure and conservation projects.”