Article 33: Petition the State of NH to Dredge Hampton/Seabrook Harbor

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to petition the State of New Hampshire, the United States Congress, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the New Hampshire Port Authority to undertake the following with federal funds:  a) to dredge Hampton/Seabrook Harbor, b) to restore the south shoreline of the Hampton River that has eroded some 120 feet of shoreline, west of the Hampton Harbor Bridge, and c) to construct an addition to the previous impervious barrier on both sides of Middle Ground, so called, separating the Blackwater River from Seabrook Harbor and the Hampton River to preserve the Middle Ground clam beds and to stop erosion of the Middle Ground and the silting of Hampton and Seabrook Harbors?

What it means: The Town will pursue all methods to encourage the various named entities to dredge the harbor as a way of restoring shoreline, helping to restore clam beds and making it easier for commercial and recreational boats to pass.  Here is a link to a Hampton Union article discussing the issue.

Those in favor say:  The silting in the harbor has progressed to a point where at low tide, boats have a difficult time getting through the harbor.  A portion of Hampton’s tax base is dependent upon boating activities.

Those against say:  No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact:  No tax impact.