Bill > HB1478

This bill requires the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to revise its rules for proposed new landfills with the goal of protecting public health, drinking water sources, and the environment. The bill introduces several key provisions for landfill permitting, including mandatory setback distances from water sources, which must be calculated based on groundwater velocity and be at least 1,500 feet from drinking water wells, rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. It mandates that no permit will be issued for a new landfill if groundwater could reach a water body within 5 years, requires a hydrogeologist to conduct specific groundwater velocity testing, and stipulates that the site must have undisturbed soil with low hydraulic conductivity. The bill also requires 24/7 on-site staffing for landfill facilities, mandates comprehensive subsurface investigations, applies a 100-year storm standard with a 50% safety margin, and incorporates federal airport proximity restrictions. Additionally, the bill changes the permitting language from "may deny" to "shall deny" a permit, emphasizing a more stringent approach to environmental protection. These new rules aim to create more rigorous environmental safeguards for solid waste management and landfill development in New Hampshire.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2120&inflect=2