FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           Thursday, April 24, 2008

Contact: Senator Kathleen Sgambati

(603) 271-3074

Senator Deborah Reynolds

(603)  271-3569

SENATE ACTS ON COMPROMISE ON NEW SHORELAND PROTECTION RULES

CONCORD – In an effort to reach a prompt compromise with the House, the Senate voted today for a July 1 implementation date for new rules that place tighter restrictions on shorefront construction.

The compromise position comes after a House committee refused to accept an Oct. 1 implementation date adopted by the Senate, threatening to leave the original implementation date of April 1 in place.

Senate leaders from both parties preferred the Oct. 1 implementation date because it gave homeowners and builders more time to familiarize themselves with the complexities of the new rules. But the majority voted to support the July 1 date so lakefront property owners and builders were not left in limbo as a legislative debate dragged on.

After speaking with several House members, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Foster said he’s confident the implementation date will be resolved before the end of next week. The new July 1 implementation date was added as an amendment to House Bill 1601.

“Many of us would have preferred the later date, but it is important to get the issue resolved and not put the entire Shoreland Protection Act at risk. Builders and homeowners need to know what rules will apply and when,” said Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton).

Senator Deborah Reynolds (D-Plymouth) said she reluctantly supported the change from Oct. 1 to July 1 because she wanted to make sure builders and homeowners could proceed with their plans, knowing what set of rules they had to work under.

“It’s not fair to leave our constituents up in the air on this,” she said. “At least with a July1 start date, we give people a little more time to get familiar with the new permitting process before the new rules take effect,” she said.