This is the twenty-ninth diary in my series on expanding the National Parks. Prior diaries are linked at the bottom of this diary. Last time I was in Nevada, this time I'm in New Hampshire, the Granite State. New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any state with either an ocean or Great Lakes coastline- 13 miles. New Hampshire has 13.4% of its territory federally protected, 14th most on the country and the highest of any state east of the Mississippi River. Currently, New Hampshire has 1 national forest, 5 wildlife refuges, and 2 historic sites and other NPS units. I will propose giving New Hampshire its first national monuments.
New Hampshire
Total Area 9 349 sq miles
Land Area 8 953 sq miles
Water Area 396 sq miles
Coastline 13 miles
Additional monuments-2
ADDITIONAL MONUMENTS-2
* Mount Washington
http://upload.wikimedia.org/...
The mountain is seen from Breton Woods in the above pictures
The highest point in the Northeast at 6,288 feet, the mountain is famous (or infamous) for the extremely strong winds measured at its summit, which can top over 200 MPH. Conserving the Mountain as a monument would pay tribute to the many climbers who perished trying to climb it. the mountain is located in White Mountains national Forest and is surrounded by wilderness, but the mountain itself is not in any of the wilderness areas. Estimated area 20000 acres
* New Hampshire Coastal
https://sp.yimg.com/...
a map of the coastline is seen above
Would protect coastal waters out to 20 miles offshore and up to the maritime borders with Maine and Massachusetts and open spaces up to 10 miles inland Estimate area 250000 acres- 390 sq miles - roughly a 4th the size of Rhode Island
EXISTING AREAS
NATIONAL FORESTS-1
* White Mountains Established 1918 Covers 750, 852 acres (in ME and NH)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/...
a map of the national forest, including the portions in Maine, is seen above
The only national forest in the state, and lying mostly in New Hampshire, the National Forest stretches only slightly into Maine, less than 50000 of the forests 750000 acres are in Maine. Created as a result of the 1911 Weeks Act, the forest is the largest public land area in New Hampshire. The forest contains 6 wilderness areas, totaling roughly 150000 acres. It is one of the most visited NFs in the eastern US drawing millions each year. the White Mountains were chosen as New Hampshire's representative in the National Park quarters, it was the first quarter released in 2013.
WILDLIFE REFUGES-5
* Great Bay Established 1992 Covers 1116 acres
Formerly part of Pease Air Force base, Great Bay is managed by Parker River WR in Massachusetts and provides habitat for the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly.
* John Hay Established 1987 Covers 164 acres
http://upload.wikimedia.org/...
The home of former secretary of State John Hay is shown above
The smallest refuge in the state, John Hay conserves the home and grounds of the Fells, the former home of secretary of State John Hay, when was SOS from 1898-1905 and previously was President Lincoln 's private secretary during the Civil War. in 2008 the area covering the buildings and most of the refuge was split off in a land swap which expanded the area of the Umbagog WR and given to the nonprofit group "the Fells" which manages it for the public. the other third of the land continues as a refuge.
* Silvio O Conte Established 1997 covers 31216 acres (in CT,MA, NH and VT)
http://www.fws.gov/....
The Connecticut River, part of the refuge, is shown above
One Of 2 refuges that spans 4 states, Silvio O Conte currently covers over 36000 acres, most of which lie in Vermont and Connecticut,the refuge covers nearly 1000 acres in Massachusetts, split into several small units. Over 6000 acres lies in New Hampshire. The refuge covers portions of the Connecticut River watershed, which covers 7.2 million acres in all. a CCP is being created for the refuge which will likely result in the refuge being expanded further.
* Umbagog Established 1992 Covers 25650 acres (in ME and NH)
http://www.fws.gov/....
(credit to the above pic goes to Tom Meredith of the USFWS)
A kayaker rows in Lake Umbagog ,part of the Umbagog WR, in the above picture. The newest of the WRs in the state, most of the refuge's area lies in New Hampshire. plans call for the refuge to expand to 70000 acres, 30000 of which will be in Maine, making it the largest refuge in both states.
* Wapack Established 1972 Covers 1672 acres
The oldest refuge in the state, Wapack consists of the area around North Pack Monadnock Mountain, which is over 2000 feet high. the refuge is managed from Parker River WR in Massachusetts.
HISTORIC SITES AND OTHER NPS UNITS-2
* Great Bay ERR Established 1989 Covers 10235 acres
http://upload.wikimedia.org/...
Part of the ERR is shown above
One of a number of state-managed protected areas that is managed and supported federally by NOAA, Great Bay ERR conserves much of the shoreline of the estuary, which is among the largest on the Atlantic Coast. the NH Department of Fish and Game manages the fishery.
* Saint-Gaudens Established 1964 Covers 300 acres
http://upload.wikimedia.org/...
A map of the historic site is seen above
Conserves the the homes, gardens and studios of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was in his lifetime one of Americans most prominent sculptors. augustus lived in the house , which he called Apset, during the summers from1885-1897 and permanently from 1900 to his death in 1907.the site was declared a Historic Landmark in 1962 then a Historic site in 1964, other properties connected with Saint-Gaudens were added to the HS in 2000.
That concludes my visit to New Hampshire. Next time I'll be heading to New Jersey, home of bridge closings, corrupt backroom politics, and the Pine Barrens. as always Comments and input are welcome.
Prior Diaries
1.Alabama
http://www.dailykos.com/...
2 Alaska
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3 Arizona
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4 Arkansas
http://www.dailykos.com/...
5 California
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6 Colorado
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7 Connecticut
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8 Delaware
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9 Florida
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10 Georgia
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11 Hawaii
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12 Idaho
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13 Illinois
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14 Indiana
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15 Iowa
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16 Kansas
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17 Kentucky
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18 Louisiana
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19 Maine
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20 Maryland
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21 Massachusetts
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22 Michigan
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23 Minnesota
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24 Mississippi
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25 Missouri
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26 Montana
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27 Nebraska
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28 Nevada
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