About Us

The Lamprey River is the focus of the Lamprey River Watershed Association. The LRWA is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit as defined by the US Internal Revenue Service. It is comprised of volunteers from the fourteen towns in the Lamprey River's drainage area. The LRAC and the LRWA often work closely together to protect and enhance the natural assets of the river.

The principle responsibility of the LRAC is the development and implementation of a long range River Management Plan. The plan is based on protecting and enhancing the outstanding values of wildlife habitat, history, and recreation that earned the river its inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. The on-going work of the committee focuses on activities that meet goals of the plan in cooperation with local towns, schools, residents, and conservation or historic organizational partners.

Another important state mandate of the committee is to review and comment on all projects which could impact the river and to submit its recommendations to state and federal agencies responsible for approving these projects. Examples of projects that the LRAC has reviewed are:

* The Durham/University of New Hampshire permit for withdrawing water from the Lamprey for its public water supply

* Removal of the old bridge and construction of the new Wiswall Bridge in Durham

* Fish passage over the Wiswall Dam

* Improvements to the Epping Wastewater Treatment Plant

* A proposed golf course along the Lamprey in Durham.

The Wild and Scenic River designation and inclusion in the NH Rivers Management and Protection Program do not confer any power to the committee over private property or local control of the river. When state or federal permits are necessary because of the scale or potential impact of a project, however, the responsible agencies must seek and seriously consider the comments and recommendations of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee.

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