Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act (CSPA) Summary

 

The CSPA controls what you can and cannot do within 250 feet of the shoreline (referred to as the reference line), which is defined by the mean high water mark. This is a reference summary put together by a WLA Board Member to simplify the CSPA, for specifics the CSPA should be read in its entirety. The DES has removed the previous FAQ from it's website and replaced it with (active link 7/15/08) http://www.des.state.nh.us/cspa/pdf/CSPA_StandardsSummary.pdf

 

• 250 feet is not a primary building setback (PBS). The primary setback is 50 feet in the Town of Washington. New primary buildings must be behind this setback
• Structures built before 7/1/1994 are grandfathered in, but specific rules about what you can and cannot do apply. See the longer DES FAQ
• Structures built within the PBS after 7/1/1994 are illegal

 

• Accessory structures must be 20 feet from the shoreline. Also applies to gazebos, patios, driveways, woodsheds, garages, driveways, etc. Structures built before 11/26/1996 are grandfathered in, but are subject to DES rules/approval for any significant alterations. See the longer CSPA and DES website for more information

 

• There is a Town of Washington Land Use Ordinance (#202) which requires swimming floats and floating docks not in use in wintertime to be moved 20 feet from the shore

 

• No fertilizer, except limestone between the reference line and 25 feet. From 25' landward of the reference line to 250' only low phosphate, slow release nitrogen fertilizer may be used. The WLA encourages members to not use ANY fertilizers as they contribute greatly to water quality deterioration

 

• Cutting on Shore within the Natural Woodland Buffer "NWB" (from 150 feet to the WB) and the Waterfront Buffer "WB" (50 feet of the reference line) -
• Stumps and their root systems that are located within the WB shall be left intact in the ground, unless specifically approved by the department
• Within the WB no natural ground cover can be removed or can be cut below 3" of the ground except-
• Footpaths which are restricted to 6 feet wide and should not pool water or contribute to erosion
• This excludes lawns in existence
• Within the WB there is a "grid and points" system that determines the amount of cutting that can be done. Points are assigned to trees based on trunk size. Read the actual CSPA before you cut in the WB
• Section 483-B:9 Paragraph V "MAINTENANCE OF A WATERFRONT BUFFER"
• Within the NWB there are restrictions on the percentage of trees you can cut based on how much land you own. No more than 75% should be cut but only 50% if you have more than a 1/2 acre in the NWB

 

• Other Important Items of Note-
• The CSPA encourages replacing lawns with natural cover, because lawns do a poor job of maintaining ground and water quality versus natural cover
• Ensuring Septic systems are in good working order and are of proper size for the application
• Where ever possible replace impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt
• Leave dead trees (snags) and fallen logs on shore that do not represent a hazard to people for wildlife