Board frames approach to stormwater ordinance, favors concise ordinance with technical regulations

Planner Charles Wise reported that the stormwater work group has reviewed the state model ordinance and debated whether to keep the ordinance concise while placing technical detail in Stormwater Regulations that the Board can update more readily. Members agreed the field is evolving and that a shorter ordinance with detailed, measurable standards in regulations may be preferable to frequent ordinance amendments.

Discussion focused on protecting lake water quality. Members noted nutrients are the principal stressor and stressed that any standard must be measurable so an engineer can document compliance; they rejected mandatory nutrient testing before and after construction as an undue burden on applicants. The group agreed to share the University of New Hampshire’s 2026 model stormwater standard with the full Board and to continue work toward a draft for the next work session.