Conference unifix::sailing

778.0. "NH Mooring Problems" by GORT::JOYCE () Fri Mar 25 1988 11:00

	I would like to make you fellow noters aware of an expansion proposal 
submitted by KVC Marina, Hampton Beach. N.H. to the N.H. State Wetlands board.
The date for the hearing is April 5, 1988 in Concord N.H. at 2:00 PM.

	KVC Marina would like to expand their existing facility with additional
slips and relocation of the fuel dock. KVC would be expanding into a public 
mooring area. As many of you know our lakes and coastal areas can not support 
the number of people that wish to use and moor their boats in these waters 
today. I understand that there are between one and two hundred people on a 
mooring waiting list for Hampton Harbor and close to 2000 people State wide. 
The additional docks would also cut off a large section of area which has been
used many years for lobster fishing and the gas dock would be built over a 
very important clam/mussel/worm flat. Possible fuel spills could have an 
enormous impact on the this sensitive area.

	 Presently KVC holds permits for 16 moorings in the area they wish to
expand. They pay the State Port Authority $50 a year for each of these moorings.
KVC, then rents these moorings for around $1500.00 a year, each! Not a bad 
return for using the States' public waters. The State Port Authority has gone on
record against the expansion with the Hampton Conservation Commission. The 
rental of these moorings by a private company isn't fair to the people on
the waiting lists.

	There appears to be a lot of local opposition to this plan, although 
many commercial fishermen don't appear to want to oppose KVC. KVC has the 
only boat lift in Hampton Harbor, that the fishermen need to service their 
boats out of water. Many people feel that KVC can't take and use State waters
for private use. 
	
	One problem appears that KVC claims that they have title to the 
mooring area in question, this is from information presented to the Hampton
Conservation Commission. The recent Supreme Court ruling of Phillips 
Petroleum Co. vs. Mississippi No. 86-870 seems to dispute their claim. The
ruling expanded the States' rights to tidal lands by saying that all tidal
lands must be held in a "public trust" for the use and benefit of the public
regardless of title.

	I'm a member of the Hampton Conservation Commission and I strongly 
oppose the taking of State lands/water for private use. I also believe that the 
placement of the gas dock adjacent to the clam/mussel/worm flat is wrong. An
other concern is that if this type of expansion is allowed, over time there
will be very few mooring spaces left for the average boat owner.

	I like to suggest to any noters that are concerned about access to our
local state rivers, lakes, and coastal areas to write a few letters to your
NH State Reps. and the NH Wetlands Board, 37 Pleasant St. Concord NH 03301.
Tell the Reps. that you would like them to attend the KVC hearing and oppose
the plan for the reasons above. The Wetlands Board said that they will accept
inputs either pro or con from anyone, regardless of what state they may live 
in.



Steve