Purpose and findings: By and through
enactment of this article, it has been determined that the wetlands
and buffers within the City of Nashua are fragile natural resources
and, as such, pursuant to the authority granted under RSA 674:16,
674:17 and 674:20, and 674:21, and any other applicable laws, the
City hereby adopts the following regulations. The purpose of this
article is, in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare,
to:
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Ensure the protection of valuable wetland
and buffer resources;
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Prevent the harmful filling, draining,
sedimentation, or alteration of wetlands and buffers;
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Prevent the destruction or significant
degradation of wetlands and buffers which provide flood and storm
control by the hydrologic absorption and storage capacity of the wetland
and buffer;
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Protect fish and wildlife habitats by
providing breeding, nesting, and feeding grounds for many forms of
plant and animal life including rare, threatened, or endangered species;
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Protect subsurface water resources and
provide for the recharging of groundwater supplies;
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Provide pollution treatment to maintain
water quality;
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Prevent expenditures of municipal funds
for the purpose of providing and/or maintaining essential services
and utilities which might be required as a result of misuse or abuse
of wetlands and buffers;
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Provide for those compatible land uses
in and adjacent to wetlands and buffers or surface waters which serve
to enhance, preserve, and protect wetland and buffer areas as natural
resources.
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A.
Regulation of land uses. The regulation of land uses
both within and adjacent to wetlands, having been determined to be
in the best interest of the City, shall be done in a manner consistent
with the review procedures and performance standards identified below
which reflect the relative importance, value, and function of a particular
wetland.
B.
Definitions. A "wetland" is defined by RSA 482-A:2. Wetlands generally include areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal conditions does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. The location of a wetland boundary in any particular case must be determined by a certified wetlands scientist, licensed by the State of New Hampshire, through an on-site inspection of all three characteristics of wetlands, namely hydrology, hydric soils, and hydrophytic plants. Said inspections shall conform to the standards established by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in Administrative Rules (Wt 301). These standards are derived from three sources: the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-I, Environmental Laboratory, Department of the Army, (January, 1987), Field Indicators for Identifying Hydric Soils in New England, Version 2, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, (July 1998) and subsequent updates, and Chapters Wt 100-800 of the NH Code of Administrative Rules, April 21, 1997, as amended. The applicable criteria and review process are established in this Article XI, §§ 190-112 to 190-117 below.
C.
Shoreland exemption. All areas granted a shoreland exemption pursuant to RSA 483-B:12 from the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act, RSA 483-B, shall not be designated as a prime wetland pursuant to RSA 482-A:15 or Article XI, Wetlands. Any inconsistent provisions of the Prime Wetland Map as prepared by the Nashua Conservation Commission and adopted by Resolution R-90-84 are hereby repealed. Proposed development in the exempt area requiring Planning Board approval shall be referred to the Nashua Conservation Commission for its review and comment prior to the Planning Board decision.
[Added 3-8-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-53]
A.
Special exceptions shall be reviewed for any use,
building, structure, or development within the wetland areas or buffers
defined in Table 112-1 below.
B.
For purposes of Table 112-1, Column C, the buffer
shall be measured horizontally outward and perpendicular to the edge
of the delineated wetland.
Table 112-1
Wetland Classifications and Buffers
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(A)
Wetland Category
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(B)
Definitions
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(C)
Buffer
(feet)
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Primary wetland
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Areas designated as "prime wetlands" in accordance
with RSA 483-A:7 and areas that have been documented as satisfying
the criteria for designation as prime wetlands in accordance with
RSA 483-A:7. "Primary wetlands" are defined by Resolution R-90-84,
and generally depicted on maps entitled "Prime Wetlands, Nashua, New
Hampshire" prepared for the Nashua Conservation Commission. R-90-84
defines primary wetlands as:
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The Merrimack River and its wetlands
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The Nashua River and its wetlands
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Salmon Brook and its wetlands
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Pennichuck Brook, Bowers Pond, Harris Pond,
Holts Pond, Pennichuck Pond, Supply Pond and its wetlands
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Lovewell's Pond and its wetlands
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Horse Pond and its wetlands
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Old Ridge Road wetland
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Nashua Canal
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Nahsua Cove
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Critical wetlands
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Critical wetlands are the following water bodies
and watercourses and their wetlands. Critical wetlands also include
any perennial streams that are tributaries to prime wetlands.
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40
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Boire Brook
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Mill Pond
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Coburn Pond
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Muddy Brook
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Cold Brook
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Old Maid's Brook
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Colerain Brook
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Round Pond
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Hales Brook
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Spectacle Brook
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Harris Brook
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Spit Brook
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Hassells Brook
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Trout Brook
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Lincoln Brook
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Sandy Pond
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Lyle Reed Brook
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Other wetlands over 9,000 square feet
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Any wetland other than a primary or a critical
wetland over 9,000 square feet in area
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Other wetlands from 3,000 to 9,000 square feet
and intermittent streams
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Any wetland other than a primary or critical
wetland between 3,000 and 9,000 square feet in area. Intermittent
streams require a twenty-foot buffer from both banks, measured from
top of bank. Intermittent streams are streams with a defined channel
but that may not flow the entire year. Isolated man-made drainage
ditches are not included.
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20
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Vernal pools
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Twenty-foot minimum buffer. Buffer to be determined
from recommendations in a protection plan submitted by a professional
biologist. The buffer will be measured from the edge of the average
annual high-water mark.
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20
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The provisions of these wetlands regulations
shall be administered and enforced by the Administrative Officer.
Where the provisions of these regulations are superimposed over the
zoning district, the more restrictive regulations apply. The Administrative
Officer shall institute, or cause to be instituted, such actions necessary
to ensure compliance with these provisions, and/or the conditions
placed upon any required special exception permit or other approval.
The Administrative Officer shall also have the authority to cause
whatever actions are necessary at a site or location where a violation
of this chapter has occurred to ensure that it is returned to its
original quality and function, and the same cause of action shall
be at no cost to the City and shall be assessed to the violator.
A.
Applicability. The section applies to any activity
proposed within a wetland or a wetland buffer, except for erosion
control measures and the regular use, maintenance or repair of existing
buildings, structures, or the improved portions of an existing developed
site such as roads, parking lot or sidewalks. It includes any application
for development approval, including any building permit applications;
land use permit application; Zoning Board of Adjustment applications;
Planning Board applications; Board of Health application, or any other
any other land use requiring a permit or approval as required by and
within the Nashua City Code.
B.
Initiation. As part of the initiation of any application listed in Subsection A above, the Administrative Officer shall determine whether the land area in which the proposed use, development or activity lies is within a wetland or buffer area as described in § 190-112. If the Administrative Officer determines that the proposed use, development or activity is within a wetland or buffer area, the Administrative Officer shall notify the applicant in writing that the Conservation Commission must review a wetlands application. The Administrative Officer shall provide notification within two weeks after submittal of a complete application. If such notification is provided to the applicant, the applicant shall submit a Wetlands Application Review Form with the information required by § 190-284 of this chapter to the Administrative Officer. Upon receipt of such an application and payment of applicable fees, the Administrative Officer shall forward a copy of the application to the Conservation Commission.
C.
Wetlands data.
(1)
Primary or critical wetlands. Applications submitted
for uses proposed within or adjacent to primary or critical wetlands
shall be accompanied by sufficiently detailed information and plans.
Such plans shall clearly show the extent of the wetland and buffer
areas located on or immediately adjacent to the subject property,
and the uses proposed to be located on the subject property. Primary
wetlands must be delineated as shown on the Nashua Prime Wetlands
Maps. In determining the sufficiency of the information to be provided,
the applicant shall consult with the Administrative Officer regarding
the nature of the proposed uses and their relations and proximity
to any potentially affected wetlands located on or immediately adjacent
to the subject property. The applicant shall also clearly note on
the plan any and all sources of wetland delineation information used
to determine the wetlands boundary and shall provide documentation
regarding the status of any other permits required under local, state
or federal laws.
(2)
Other wetlands. For development or other regulated
activity proposed on sites abutting other wetlands as defined in Table
112-1, the applicant shall be required to denote the boundary and
methods used to locate it. The Administrative Officer may consult
with the applicant regarding the application regulations.
D.
Submittal procedures.
(1)
The applicant shall review the Nashua Conservation Commission Wetland Review Process as set forth in § 190-284.
(2)
The applicant shall provide the Conservation Commission
and Administrative Officer with a completed wetlands application two
weeks in advance of the Conservation Commission meeting at which the
proposed project will be discussed.
(3)
Upon receipt of the wetlands application by the Conservation
Commission and Administrative Officer, the applicant may be asked
to provide additional technical information.
(4)
The applicant shall schedule a preliminary presentation
with the Commission. At that time, the Conservation Commission may
schedule a site walk. At the site walk, the Commission members may
request additional information for the applicant to present at the
next Conservation Commission meeting, such as a wetlands and buffer
delineation and protection plan. The members may provide other informal
guidance.
(5)
The Conservation Commission may request a review of
the project by planning staff prior to providing their recommendation.
Sufficient time will be provided to allow the Conservation Commission
to provide a recommendation on the project to the Administrative Officer.
E.
Recommendation. The Conservation Commission shall consider the application at a public meeting and shall prepare a written recommendation as to whether the proposed development lies within an area subject to § 190-112, and whether the proposed development complies with this section. The recommendation shall be provided to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. In rendering its decision, the Zoning Board of Adjustment or Building Department Manager shall give due consideration to the recommendations of the Conservation Commission so as to avoid or minimize the detrimental impacts which the proposed use may have on the wetland or wetland buffer. Any amendments to a plan following a Conservation Commission decision but before the Zoning Board of Adjustment review shall be reviewed again by the Conservation Commission. Decisions rendered by the Zoning Board of Adjustment are final but subject to appeal as set forth in Article XIX.
G.
Amendments. The applicant may modify the wetlands
application at any time before the final recommendations of the Conservation
Commission are made.
H.
Scope of approval. The wetlands application shall
be deemed a part of the underlying application for development approval
and a condition of any permit or land use decision subject to this
section.
I.
Recording procedures. The wetlands application shall
be recorded with the underlying application for development approval.
J.
Exceptions. A property owner who intends to undertake
routine annual maintenance that has been previously approved by the
Conservation Commission is not required to return to the Conservation
Commission or obtain a special exception.
A.
Review for conformity.
(1)
Uses proposed in any wetland or within the required
buffer area shall be reviewed by the Conservation Commission for conformity
with this section. A wetlands-related special exception is required
prior to and in addition to other relevant approvals.
(2)
For uses or activities proposed outside of and adjacent
to any wetland or buffer area, the Administrative Officer shall review
the proposal for consistency with this section to demonstrate that
what is being proposed is reasonable or necessary, and can be implemented
without undue harm to the wetland or buffer area being impacted. Upon
receipt of a complete application, the Administrative Officer shall
determine whether a special exception is required prior to other necessary
reviews/approvals.
B.
Wetland or buffer encroachments. For uses proposed
to encroach into wetlands or required buffer areas, including but
not necessarily limited to road and utility line crossings, water
dependent uses (e.g., docks), bridges or other road and passive recreational
facilities or activities, the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall find
the following prior to approval:
(1)
That the use or activity proposed and its attendant
impacts cannot reasonably be avoided.
(2)
That the least damaging route and methodology have
been selected, and that which is being proposed is the best practicable
alternative available.
(3)
That reasonable and acceptable impact mitigation measures
have been incorporated where necessary and appropriate to minimize
wetland loss or degradation.[1]
[1]
Note: The removal of invasive species may
be an appropriate mitigation technique. Invasive species are listed
in the most recent State of New Hampshire Prohibited Invasive Species
List.
(4)
That the overall impact of encroaching into wetland
or buffer areas is necessary for the productive use of adjoining buildable
land and, as such nonencroachment, is outweighed by the benefits thereby
derived.
(5)
That no significant impact on the habitat of rare
or endangered species or exemplary communities, as listed by the State
of New Hampshire or federal government, will result.
(6)
That the best available adequate erosion and sedimentation
control methods are incorporated.[2]
[2]
Note: Some appropriate erosion control standards
are: Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook
for Urban and Developing Areas in New Hampshire, New Hampshire Department
of Environmental Services, Rockingham County Conservation District,
USDA Soil Conservation Service (August 1992), and Stormwater Management
for Construction Activities, Environmental Protection Agency (September
1992).
(7)
That the proposed activity or use shall not significantly
impair wetland capacity to provide important wildlife and fishery
functions, including habitat, food, shelter, breeding, migratory and
over-wintering.
(8)
That the project shall not impair the stability of
a water body's bank.
(9)
That the wetland and buffer function of hydrologic
absorption capacity and storage shall not be impaired.
C.
Uses adjacent to wetlands or buffer areas. Any use
or activity proposed within 100 feet of a wetland shall be reviewed
by the Administrative Officer for compliance with the following performance
standards:
(1)
That no significant impact on the habitat of rare
or endangered species or exemplary communities, as listed by the State
of New Hampshire or the Federal government, will result.
(2)
That the filtration of stormwater runoff is adequately
provided for and controlled both during and after construction.
(3)
That the topography and required regrading of the
subject property accounts for and adequately reflects the proximity
of a nearby wetland area.
(4)
All landscaping requirements and maintenance regiments
for a project will ensure that fertilizer and chemical runoff shall
not enter the wetland.
(5)
For any wetland area utilized for water runoff, the
applicant shall demonstrate that excess flow on wetlands shall not
cause excessive ponding and retention, thereby causing environmental
damage to existing flora or fauna.
(6)
Where land is proposed to be subdivided, the applicant
shall demonstrate that there is adequate nonwetland area to contain
all proposed uses, structures, and utilities in accordance with these
regulations.
D.
Prohibited uses. No use or activity shall be located
within 125 feet or sited in such a manner so as to pose a serious
environmental hazard to a nearby wetland. Uses prohibited include,
but are not limited to, septic systems, underground storage tanks
not within approved enclosures, junkyards or salvage yards, or the
uncontained or uncontrolled stockpiling of any material which may
contaminate the wetland.
A.
Applicability. The Nashua Conservation Commission
may require wetland buffers to be marked in order to prevent future
encroachment. This section applies to:
(1)
Any development subject to an application for building
permit, subdivision or site plan approval;
(2)
Any development approved before the effective date
of this section that is determined to be in violation of any wetland
buffer required that existed at the time the development was approved;
or
(3)
Any activity within a wetland or wetland buffer that
was undertaken without obtaining a required special exception.
B.
Requirements. Wetlands (prime, critical, and other)
shall be delineated by a State of New Hampshire certified wetland
scientist. The wetland buffer shall be located and flagged by an engineer
or surveyor. The markers shall follow the contour of the buffer, generally
not more than 50 feet apart. The engineer or surveyor shall take all
necessary precautions to ensure that said markers disturb no asbestos-fill
sites. Where the buffer intersects the property line, markers should
be placed on the property line. Markers should be placed along the
buffer contour at the point closest to any adjacent structure. The
requirements for placing markers are further described in the pamphlet
"Requirements for Construction and Installation of Conservation Easement,
Wetland Buffer, and Conservation Land Plaques."
A.
Applicability. A tree that has been substantially
damaged or unlawfully removed from a wetland buffer that is protected
by City ordinances must be replaced with its equivalent replacement
in trees. Replacement trees shall be a type of species having shade
potential and other positive values at least equal to that of the
tree that was removed and shall be a minimum of six feet in height
when planted.
B.
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)
EQUIVALENT REPLACEMENT
TREE
TREE-FOR-TREE REPLACEMENT
Definitions. As used in this article, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The measurement of a tree's trunk diameter in inches at breast
height 4 1/2 feet above ground level. For trees with less than
4 1/2 feet of clear trunk, the diameter shall be of the largest
leader measured 4 1/2 feet above ground level. For multitrunk
trees it shall be the sum of the diameter of the individual trunks
measured 4 1/2 feet above ground level. If the DBH is not determinable
because cut trees have been removed from the site, DBH shall be determined
from the "DBH in Relation to Stump Diameter" tables found in the Forestry
Handbook, 2nd ed., 1984, by the Society of American Foresters, edited
by Karl Wenger, published by John Wiley & Sons Publishers.
The replacement of a removed or damaged tree to compensate
for that tree's removal or its damage with one tree the same diameter
or a combination of smaller trees that will equal that removed tree's
DBH as defined herein.
Any living, self-supporting woody perennial plant at maturity,
which attains a trunk diameter of at least three inches or more when
measured at a point 4 1/2 feet above ground level and which normally
attains an overall height of at least 15 feet, usually with one main
stem or trunk and many branches.
Replacing a removed tree with a tree or trees with a minimum
of three inches in cumulative trunk diameter at breast height. The
replacement species shall be native trees as defined in Trees and
Shrubs in New Hampshire, A Guidebook for Natural Beauty Projects,
by Cooperative Extension Service, University of New Hampshire, Durham,
NH. Replacement species shall not include those species that are not
recommended in the guidebook.
C.
Replacement trees. A removed tree must be replaced
with its equivalent replacement in trees.
D.
Maintenance of replacement trees. The property owner
must replace trees within 30 days from receipt of a written notice
of violation for unlawful tree removal. The Administrative Officer
may grant a time extension for tree replacement if the thirty-day
requirement would mean that trees would be planted outside the appropriate
planting season (April-June and September-November).
E.
Financial security for tree replacement. A financial
security shall be held by the City of Nashua for one year to ensure
tree replacement in the event that tree replacement results in the
death of any replacement trees. The security amount shall be assessed
at three times the fair market value of the required replacement tree(s).
F.
Landscape (tree replacement) plan. Prior to installation
of the required replacement trees, a proposed landscape plan must
be prepared by a professional landscape architect and approved by
the Administrative Officer, who shall consult with the City's Conservation
Commission. Replacement trees shall be true to the botanical names
and standards of size, culture and quality for the highest grades
and standards as sponsored by the American Association of Nurserymen,
Inc., in the American Standard for Nursery Stock, latest edition.
G.
Exemptions. During emergency conditions caused by
a hurricane or other disaster, or to protect public safety, the Administrative
Officer may suspend provisions of this section.
H.
Penalties. The removal of each tree in a buffer zone
shall constitute a separate zoning violation, punishable in a court
of competent jurisdiction per RSA Chapter 676.