EXPANSION OF STATE PARK SYSTEM

RSA tit. XIX, ch. 216-A

in effect

RSA 216-A:1 Intent.

216-A:1. Intent. It is the intent of the general court that a comprehensive state park system shall be developed, operated, and maintained to achieve the following purposes in order of the following priority: I. To protect and preserve unusual scenic, scientific, historical, recreational, and natural areas within the state. II. To continually provide such additional park areas and facilities as may be necessary to meet the recreational needs of the citizens of all regions of the state. III. To make these areas accessible to the public for recreational, education, scientific, and other uses consistent with their protection and preservation. IV. To encourage and support tourism and related economic activity within the state. Source. 1961, 263:1. 1985, 389:3, eff. June 25, 1985.

RSA 216-A:2 Duties, Director of Parks and Recreation.

216-A:2. Duties, Director of Parks and Recreation. The director of the division of parks and recreation, under the supervision of the commissioner of natural and cultural resources, shall execute all matters related to the design, development, administration, operation, and maintenance of the state park system. These responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to: I. The director shall continually assess the state's recreational needs and formulate a state park development plan which addresses those needs, and shall supervise the implementation of that plan. II. The director shall implement a maintenance program for state parks and recreational areas to ensure that the natural, historical, and recreational value of these areas is preserved and the state's investment in such facilities is protected. III. The director shall develop and implement operating procedures for the state park system designed to ensure its efficient administration and high standards of operation, maintenance, and service within the purposes established in RSA 216-A:1. IV. The director shall cooperate with the director of the division of forests and lands on matters pertaining to the joint recreational and forestry use of state lands, with other state and federal agencies in the development of parkways and scenic routes, in the development of wayside picnic areas, in the promotion of hunting and fishing on public recreational areas, and in the promotion of better understanding of the recreational advantages of the state. V. The director may also recommend for state acquisition lands or the use of lands for recreational purposes and for the protection and preservation of areas of unusual scenic, scientific, historic, or other value. VI. The director shall purchase such merchandise for resale and such operating supplies and materials as may be necessary for the operation of the ski school, ski rental and repair, souvenir, and food services concessions at Cannon Mountain. The operating costs shall be a direct charge against gross sales receipts. VII. The director shall prepare a 5 year capital budget for capital development at Cannon Mountain in consultation with the Cannon Mountain Advisory Commission, pursuant to RSA 12-A:29-b to be submitted by the commissioner to the general court on a biennial basis. VIII. The director shall be responsible for all personnel and equipment at the ski operations, and any other duties that may be assigned to the director by the commissioner of natural and cultural resources. Source. 1961, 263:2. 1985, 389:4. 1996, 210:5. 1998, 134:7, eff. June 10, 1998. 2016, 207:7, eff. June 6, 2016. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3 Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Authority.

216-A:3. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Authority. With the approval of the governor and council, the department shall have the following authority: I. Acquire, by purchase or gift, real property with recreational or historic value. II. Dispose of real property, by sale or exchange. III. Enter into agreements with other state agencies, the federal government, municipalities or other public and private agencies regarding the acquisition, development or operation of recreational areas or facilities. IV. Apply for and receive, with the approval of the governor and council, grants, donations, and other assistance to assist in the development and operation of the park system. Source. 1961, 263:3. 1985, 389:5, eff. June 25, 1985. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3-a Payments by State.

216-A:3-a. Payments by State. Whenever the state acquires any real property in a town or city for public recreational or park purposes the state shall annually pay to the town or city where such property is situate a sum equal to the taxes which would have been assessed against such property had such property remained taxable, basing such payments upon the assessed value of the property for the year prior to the year of acquisition at the current local rate of taxation applicable for the year in which payment is made, until and including the year the property is opened to the public for recreational or park use. The year following the opening of the property for recreational or park use and for the second, third, fourth and fifth years following such opening the payments shall be based on 80, 60, 40 and 20 percent respectively of the assessed value of the property for the year prior to the year of acquisition at the current local rate of taxation applicable for the year in which payment is made and thereafter such payments shall cease. If less than all the real property included in a single assessment is acquired by the state the commissioner of revenue administration shall determine the apportionment of the assessment between the state and the former owner. At the time of computing the rate percent of taxation for the town or city where said real property is situate, the commissioner of revenue administration shall certify to the state treasurer the amount of the payment to be made to each town and city in each year and the treasurer shall make such payment on or before December 1. The director of the division of parks and recreation shall notify the commissioner of revenue administration of the date when any real property acquired for recreational or park use is opened to the public. Source. 1963, 308:1. 1973, 544:8, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.

RSA 216-A:3-b Authority for Payment.

216-A:3-b. Authority for Payment. The governor is authorized to draw his warrant for the payments authorized under the provisions of RSA 216-A:3-a out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Source. 1963, 308:1, eff. April 1, 1964.

RSA 216-A:3-c Development Plan.

216-A:3-c. Development Plan. I. The director of parks and recreation shall by September 30, 2009, publish a written comprehensive 10-year development plan for the state park system. The director may contract with an experienced, independent firm to assist in the development of this plan. The director shall submit copies of the plan to the governor, the governor's council, the presiding officers of the general court, the chairperson of the house resources, recreation and development committee, and the chairperson of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee. On or before June 1, 2009, the director of parks and recreation shall submit a progress report to the chairperson of the house resources, recreation and economic development committee and the chairperson of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee. II. The director shall continually review this plan and revise it as necessary. III. The strategic plan shall include: (a) An analysis of the recreational needs of each geographic region of the state and the degree to which existing park facilities address those needs. (b) An evaluation of overall state park system operations to identify strengths, weaknesses, and future approaches to increase revenue and simplify operations. (c) Specific goals and objectives for the park system. (d) A report on the progress in meeting goals and objectives during each biennium. (e) Identification of areas in which there is a need for physical expansion of park properties. (f) Identification of park system properties which are surplus to the state's needs. (g) A summary of the division's planned maintenance program for park facilities, including, but not limited to, measures to protect against undue environmental stress. (h) Proposed improvements to park facilities, including major renovations, repairs, additions, or new construction. (i) A full evaluation of facilities, profit and loss, and usage trends in each state park and a comparison of such usage to national trends. (j) A continual overview of marketing approaches and reservation systems to maximize day rental usage of the state park system. (k) The adoption of uniform standards for managing facility day use including uniformity in fee structure, reservation procedures, and monitoring of use. (l) An analysis of whether leasing or outsourcing certain state park functions, or entering into public/private partnerships would increase revenues and simplify operations. IV. The strategic plan shall serve as a basis for the division's capital and operating budget requests. V. In developing the plan, the department shall solicit local input. The director shall also consult with the division of historical resources of the department of natural and cultural resources. The division of planning and community development shall provide the director of parks and recreation with such information on the recreational needs of the state and other technical assistance as is necessary for the division to properly perform its responsibilities under this section. VI. The director of parks and recreation shall report biennially to the house and senate committees with jurisdiction over the state park system on the state of the parks and historic sites. Source. 1985, 389:6. 2003, 319:9. 2004, 257:44. 2007, 359:2. 2009, 242:1, eff. July 16, 2009. 2015, 259:30, eff. July 1, 2015. 2017, 156:38, 64, eff. July 1, 2017. 2020, 37:6, eff. July 29, 2020. 2021, 91:198, eff. July 1, 2021. 2026, 190:9, eff. Aug. 18, 2026.

RSA 216-A:3-d Maintenance of State Park System.

216-A:3-d. Maintenance of State Park System. I. The director of parks and recreation and commissioner of natural and cultural resources shall develop operating procedures to ensure that the division and other departmental units and other agencies of state government effectively coordinate their efforts to provide for proper maintenance of park system properties and facilities. II. The division shall establish an automated maintenance management information system. This system shall: (a) Maintain an inventory of division properties and facilities; (b) Provide a current statement of condition of such properties and facilities; (c) Serve as a mechanism for scheduling and tracking maintenance projects. Source. 1985, 389:6, eff. June 25, 1985. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3-e Financial Reports.

216-A:3-e. Financial Reports. I. The commissioner of natural and cultural resources, director of parks and recreation, and commissioner of administrative services shall develop a financial reporting system for the state park system which shall provide for: (a) An accurate report of all revenue collected from park system operations, by source, including fees and income from the sale of goods and services; (b) An accurate report of the direct operating costs of the division of parks and recreation and the facilities for which it is responsible; (c) An accurate report of the debt service costs associated with park system facilities; (d) An accurate report of such other costs, including the costs of administrative services provided to the park system by other elements of state government, related to park operations; (e) An accurate report of the funds budgeted for maintenance of park areas and facilities and of the actual amount spent for such maintenance. II. The financial report shall include detail on the operations of the state's ski areas of Franconia Notch state park. This element of the report shall: (a) Detail operating expenses and revenue associated with ski area operations; (b) Detail debt service and other capital expense costs associated with ski area operations; (c) Include a description of the assumptions made in defining costs and revenues related to ski area operations; (d) Identify the net profit or loss on ski area operations including all costs and revenues in any fiscal year; (e) Identify financial management and budgeting procedures to improve the profitability of ski operations. III. The commissioner of natural and cultural resources shall submit the financial reports required by this section to the governor and council by January 31 following the close of each fiscal year. These reports shall include data on financial operations during the previous fiscal year. The governor and council shall provide the presiding officers of the general court with copies of the commissioner's financial reports. Source. 1985, 389:6, eff. June 25, 1985. 2016, 207:4, eff. June 6, 2016. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3-f Promotion of Park Facilities.

216-A:3-f. Promotion of Park Facilities. I. The director of parks and recreation in consultation with the director of travel and tourism development shall formulate an annual promotion program for state park facilities. II. This program shall be coordinated with the state's general tourism promotion efforts. III. Funding for park system promotion shall be appropriated to the division of parks and recreation and shall be expended with the assistance of the division of travel and tourism development. Source. 1985, 389:6. 1999, 317:10. 2010, 146:1, eff. Aug. 13, 2010.

RSA 216-A:3-g Fees for Park System.

216-A:3-g. Fees for Park System. The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, in consultation with the director of parks and recreation, shall establish fees for access to and use of the state park system. The fees approved by the commissioner, after prior approval of the fiscal committee, shall not be subject to the provisions of RSA 541-A, so as to provide the department with the ability to maximize revenues and to adjust fees according to market conditions and trends as is the common practice in private industry. Any change to the fees for access to or use of the state park system proposed by the commissioner shall take effect no later than 60 days after such change is proposed, unless the fee change is denied by the fiscal committee of the general court. Said fees shall be consistent with the following criteria: [Paragraph I effective until July 1, 2027; see also paragraph I set out below.] I. Fees for the use of park areas shall be designed to recover a reasonable portion of budget expenses consistent with the purposes of RSA 216-A:1 and 216-A:3. The general court does not intend that all park facilities be self-supporting. [Paragraph I effective July 1, 2027; see also paragraph I set out above.] I. Fees for the use of park areas shall be designed to recover a reasonable portion of budget expenses consistent with the purposes of RSA 216-A:1 and 216-A:3. Provided, however, that fees charged to New Hampshire residents to enter state parks collected via a website or by a person stationed within the park shall be no more than 50 percent of the entry fees charged to nonresidents. The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or his or her designee, may elect to set separate fee schedules for residents and nonresidents for specific uses within any state park, including camping, facility rental, parking, or boat rental, provided that where separate fee schedules are created for any given service or product, residents shall be charged no more than 90 percent of the fee charged to nonresidents. Residency may be indicated by state-issued identification, utility or tax bills, vehicle registrations, student identification, or vehicle license plates. The commissioner, or his or her designee, may also provide discounted or waived rates for veterans, as well as for school or student groups, in recognition of their service or educational purpose. The general court does not intend that all park facilities be self-supporting. II. Fees for the use of campgrounds and ski lifts shall be comparable with the fees for use of similar privately owned facilities. The operation of all enterprise functions within the park system, including ski lifts, food service, retail facilities, campgrounds, and other concession activities, shall be as profitable as possible, within the purposes of the park system. III. [Repealed.] IV. No disabled veteran of this state, upon providing satisfactory proof of a service-connected disability, shall be charged a fee for day-use admission to the state park system. Special number plates issued to disabled veterans pursuant to RSA 261:86 or a letter issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs certifying that the veteran suffers from a service-connected disability shall constitute satisfactory proof under this section. Any fees for the use of enterprise activities as defined in paragraph II shall be charged. V. (a) Upon presentation of military identification, any active member of the armed forces who meets the minimum requirements for satisfactory membership, or any retired member of the armed forces, or any spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of a retired member of the armed forces as defined in federal regulations, shall not be charged a fee for admission to day-use areas of the state park system provided that retired members of the armed forces and spouses or unmarried surviving spouses of retired members of the armed forces provide proof of New Hampshire residency. In this section, "armed forces" means armed forces as defined in RSA 21:50, II and includes active, retired, and reserve members of the New Hampshire national guard. (b) Any fees for the use of enterprise activities as described in paragraph II of this section shall be charged. VI. No admission fee shall be charged for day use of the state park system to the occupants of a vehicle with a number plate bearing a special registration plate symbol authorized by RSA 261:75-c. Any fees for: (a) enterprise activities as defined in paragraph II, (b) metered parking after June 15 and before September 16, (c) metered parking on weekends and holidays on or before June 15 and on or after September 16, (d) more than 6 consecutive hours of metered parking, or (e) metered parking for residential use or business employee use, shall be charged to occupants of such vehicles. VII. (a) The commissioner shall periodically review all fees paid for entrance into and use of state parks. (b) The commissioner may immediately begin to accept donations for the use and maintenance of Jericho Mountain state park and shall require fees for the entrance into and use of Jericho Mountain state park beginning on or before January 1, 2011. All fees generated by Jericho Mountain state park shall be deposited into the state park fund established in RSA 216-A:3-i. Such fees shall be based on revenue projected in the master plan and shall be in addition to registration fees for vehicles, all terrain vehicles as defined in RSA 215-A:1, I-b, and off highway recreational vehicles as defined in RSA 215-A:1, VI. (c) [Repealed.] VIII. The commissioner may adopt parking fees or charges within the state park system that assess an increased rate for parking on holidays and weekend days with high traffic rates unless such plan for parking fees and charges is denied by the fiscal committee of the general court as provided by this section. [Paragraph I effective until July 1, 2027; see also paragraph I set out below.] [Paragraph I effective July 1, 2027; see also paragraph I set out above.] Source. 1985, 389:6. 1991, 355:62. 1993, 358:24. 1995, 308:127, X. 1996, 210:6. 2003, 153:1; 282:1. 2010, 373:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; 374:6, eff. July 26, 2010. 2011, 184:2, eff. June 14, 2011. 2012, 274:2, eff. June 20, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.; 276:1, eff. Aug. 18, 2012; 276:4, eff. June 20, 2012 at 12:02 a.m.; 277:1, eff. June 20, 2012. 2016, 191:1, 2, eff. July 1, 2016. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017. 2024, 227:1, eff. Sept. 17, 2024. 2026, 338:3, eff. July 1, 2027.

RSA 216-A:3-h Indemnification of Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteers.

216-A:3-h. Indemnification of Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteers. Any person recognized by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources as a volunteer and who is under the general supervision of authorized department of natural and cultural resources personnel, and is actually performing assigned volunteer duties or activities at a state park, forest, reservation, trail, or historic site, shall be considered a state employee for the purpose of defense and indemnification from civil suits under RSA 99-D. Source. 1986, 178:1, eff. May 28, 1986. 2011, 256:1, eff. July 13, 2011. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3-i State Park Fund Established.

216-A:3-i. State Park Fund Established. I. The state treasurer shall establish a separate and distinct account to be known as the state park fund. The account shall be continuing and nonlapsing. The treasurer shall deposit in the state park account actual revenues from fees, services, accommodations, rentals, retail sales, net profit from concession operations, and special registration plate symbol fees collected under RSA 261:75-c in excess of budget expenses and exclude revenues associated with state-owned ski areas. Any federal moneys which become available and all donations and gifts shall be deposited into this account. II. Any funds deposited into the state park account are hereby continually appropriated to and may be expended by the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources to cover budgeted appropriations provided the balance in the state park account does not go below $1.5 million and any transfer is reported to the governor and council and fiscal committee of the general court within 60 days. Source. 1991, 40:2. 1996, 210:7. 2010, 373:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2011. 2015, 276:26, eff. July 1, 2015. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017. 2025, 283:4, eff. Sept. 30, 2025.

RSA 216-A:3-j Debt Service for Cannon Tramway.

216-A:3-j. Debt Service for Cannon Tramway. Effective July 1, 1996, debt service for the Cannon Tramway shall be a charge against the state park fund, state-owned ski area account. Source. 1996, 210:8. 2010, 373:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.

RSA 216-A:3-kk State Park System Advisory Council.

216-A:3-kk. State Park System Advisory Council. I. There is established a state park system advisory council which shall consist of the following members: (a) Three members of the house of representatives, at least 2 of whom shall be from the resources, recreation and development committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (b) One senator, appointed by the president of the senate. (c) Ten members who shall be appointed by the governor. (d) The commissioner of the department of resources and economic development, or designee, whose appointment shall be coterminous with the commissioner's term of office. II. In the event of a vacancy in membership of a member appointed under paragraph I, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. III. Members of the council shall be residents of the state of New Hampshire, at least one of whom shall be qualified, experienced, and representative of each of the following areas: (a) The business community. (b) A park friends group. (c) Recreation. (d) Forestry. (e) The general public. (f) Conservation. (g) Marketing or public relations. (h) Historic preservation, including the development and management of historic sites. IV. The council shall elect a chairperson from among the membership. V. Members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to receive mileage and expenses when attending to the duties of the council. Legislative members of the council shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the council. VI. The council shall: (a) Provide advice to the director of the division of parks and recreation on issues relating to the operation and development of the state park system. (b) Act as an advocate for the state park system. (c) Review existing statutes and capital appropriations relating to the state park system and recommend to the general court any changes needed to improve efficiency and clarify responsibilities in the operation of the state park system. (d) Review, with the assistance of the attorney general, all agreements, memoranda of understanding, leases, special use permits, deeds, or other legal documents to which the division of parks and recreation, or the department of resources and economic development, or both, are a party. (e) Investigate the development of new incentives to encourage nonprofit clubs, "friends" groups, or other individuals or organizations to assist with construction, maintenance, scientific research, visitor services, and other activities required for the efficient operation of the state park system. (f) Submit a report of its findings to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library no later than November 1 each year. Source. 2017, 181:1, eff. Aug. 28, 2017. 2020, 37:22, eff. July 29, 2020.

RSA 216-A:3-l Adopt-a-State Park Program Established.

216-A:3-l. Adopt-a-State Park Program Established. The director of the division of parks and recreation, under the supervision of the commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources: I. Shall establish an adopt-a-state park program by directly involving citizens, groups, associations, municipalities, and the business community in the beautification of New Hampshire's state parks. II. May permit any interested citizen or group to provide ongoing maintenance on a voluntary basis to the state park system. III. Shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, necessary to implement the adopt-a-state park program consistent with the provisions of this section. Such rules shall include an application and evaluation procedure to allow interested citizens or groups to adopt a state park, and a procedure for terminating an adopt-a-state park agreement. Such procedure shall require the citizens or group to provide information on how they plan to maintain the park and what specific projects they intend to undertake, how frequently the park will be visited for cleaning and maintenance, and any other responsibilities of the parties involved. The director of parks and recreation shall develop any forms necessary for the adopt-a-state park program. IV. Shall determine an appropriate method of recognizing those who provide service to the state park system through participation in the adopt-a-park program. Source. 2010, 108:1, eff. July 31, 2010. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3-m Field Purchases and Transfer of Funds.

216-A:3-m. Field Purchases and Transfer of Funds. I. Notwithstanding RSA 21-I:17-a, I, the director of the division of parks and recreation may make purchases using field purchase orders for expenditures of up to $2,000 for the state park system and facilities. II. The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources may transfer funds between and among the appropriations for the operation of the state park system. The commissioner shall submit a report on a quarterly basis to the fiscal committee of the general court, the governor and council, and the chairmen of the house and senate executive departments and administration committees, the chairman of the resources, recreation and development committee, and the chairman of the wildlife, fish and game and agriculture committee of all transfers made under this paragraph. RSA 9:17-a and RSA 9:17-c shall not apply to transfers made under this paragraph. Source. 2010, 374:2, eff. July 26, 2010. 2012, 179:1, eff. June 11, 2012. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:3-n Financial Analysis Required.

216-A:3-n. Financial Analysis Required. I. The director of the division of parks and recreation shall retain an independent financial consulting firm to conduct a written analysis of a lease proposal for the lease of state park property, operations, or management and render an opinion as to the financial viability of the lease proposal if: (a) The lease term is for a minimum of 10 years; and (b) The lease is for the entirety or majority of the state park or its facilities and improvements, or is for the entirety or majority of the state park operation or management; or (c) The lease is to enable significant capital investment in the state park. II. A proposed or existing lessee shall be liable for the cost of the financial analysis under paragraph I if so required by the director of the division of parks and recreation. Source. 2012, 136:1, eff. Aug. 4, 2012.

RSA 216-A:3-o State Park Gifts and Donations; Account Established.

216-A:3-o. State Park Gifts and Donations; Account Established. I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, individual gifts and donations not exceeding $2,500 in value in a fiscal year may be received by the division of parks and recreation without the approval of the governor or the governor and council. Individual gifts and donations exceeding $2,500 in value in a fiscal year may be received by the division of parks and recreation with the approval of the governor and council. II. There is established an account within the division of parks and recreation to be known as the state parks gifts and donations account. Moneys in the state park gifts and donations account are nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the division of parks and recreation. All gifts and donations to the division of parks and recreation shall be deposited in this account, except gifts and donations made to the division in support of a specific program that has an established dedicated account which shall be deposited into the appropriate dedicated account and expended in accordance with the purpose of the dedicated account. Source. 2012, 179:4, eff. June 11, 2012.

RSA 216-A:3-p Cannon Mountain Ski Account Fund Established.

216-A:3-p. Cannon Mountain Ski Account Fund Established. I. The state treasurer shall establish a separate and distinct account to be known as the Cannon Mountain ski account fund. The account shall be continuing and nonlapsing. The treasurer shall deposit in the Cannon Mountain ski account fund actual revenues associated with the state-owned ski areas, derived by the department of natural and cultural resources from fees, services, accommodations, rentals, revenue from lift and tramway operations, retail sales, and net profit from concession operations in excess of budget expenses. Any federal moneys that become available and all donations and gifts shall be deposited into this account. Source. 2025, 283:1, eff. Sept. 30, 2025.

RSA 216-A:5 Recommendation of Projects.

216-A:5. Recommendation of Projects. At such time as the department of natural and cultural resources shall have been established, the recommendations to governor and council, which shall be initiated by the director of parks and recreation, the advisory commission to the department of natural and cultural resources, or by the director of parks and recreation and said advisory commission jointly, in respect to any project shall have appended thereto a statement of opinion on said project from the advisory commission to the department of natural and cultural resources. Projects may also be initiated by the governor and council under the same conditions as provided herein. Source. 1961, 263:13. 1963, 287:3, eff. Sept. 1, 1963. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:6 Execution of Agreements.

216-A:6. Execution of Agreements. The provisions of RSA 228:4 shall apply to the execution of agreements pursuant to this chapter. Source. 1961, 263:14, eff. Sept. 4, 1961.

RSA 216-A:6-a Old Man of the Mountain; Official Designation.

216-A:6-a. Old Man of the Mountain; Official Designation. Pursuant to RSA 4:43, the general court hereby designates and names the granite formation on the eastern slope of Cannon Mountain in Franconia as the "Old Man of the Mountain." Source. 1997, 83:1, eff. Aug. 2, 1997.

RSA 216-A:7 Conservation Corps Established.

216-A:7. Conservation Corps Established. The director of the division of parks and recreation, in cooperation with the commissioner of the department of health and human services, shall establish a conservation corps for the purpose of employing New Hampshire youth with an emphasis on employing young people who need educational and vocational assistance to perform successfully in school, in their communities, and in their personal lives. The services of these young people shall be used to create a hiking trail extending the length of the state or such other resource management and conservation projects deemed appropriate and necessary. Source. 1988, 265:1. 1994, 212:2. 1995, 310:182, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

RSA 216-A:8 Purpose.

216-A:8. Purpose. I. The conservation corps program is designed to increase the sense of involvement and ownership by the participants in their state and to give them an opportunity to contribute something of lasting value to the state, by creating a new recreational resource for the state. II. The general court finds that because of the impact of a steadily growing population, the continuing development of land for residential, commercial and other purposes, and the loss of shorelands for various purposes, fewer opportunities exist for the citizens of New Hampshire and visitors from other states to enjoy recreational activities in natural areas in this state. Therefore, to fill a major gap in the state's existing trail system it shall be the policy of the state of New Hampshire to create, foster, maintain and promote a recreational trail generally following the Connecticut, Pemigewasset, and Merrimack rivers from the Canadian border to the Massachusetts border. III. If, in the judgment of the advisory committee established in RSA 216-F:5, temporary segments, alternate segments, or feeder segments of trail are identified that would enhance the development of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, such segments shall be eligible for participation in all of the provisions of this subdivision. Source. 1988, 265:1. 1990, 263:1. 1996, 221:1, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

RSA 216-A:9 Duration of Corps.

216-A:9. Duration of Corps. The conservation corps shall be a permanent and ongoing program. Source. 1988, 265:1, eff. April 30, 1988.

RSA 216-A:10 Supervision of the Director of Parks and Recreation.

216-A:10. Supervision of the Director of Parks and Recreation. When the corps is organized, the director of the division of parks and recreation shall be responsible for the corps' activities and all aspects of the program by assuring that supervision, guidance, training, and other essentials that may be required by the participants when in the field are provided. Source. 1988, 265:1, eff. April 30, 1988.

RSA 216-A:11 New Hampshire Heritage Trail.

216-A:11. New Hampshire Heritage Trail. Pursuant to RSA 4:43, the general court hereby designates and names the trail as authorized by RSA 216-A:7 and 8 as the New Hampshire Heritage Trail. Source. 1988, 265:1. 1990, 263:2, eff. April 28, 1990.

RSA 216-A:12 Gifts may be Accepted.

216-A:12. Gifts may be Accepted. The department of natural and cultural resources may receive and expend funds with governor and council approval for this program and for that purpose such funds are hereby appropriated. Source. 1988, 265:1. 1990, 263:2, eff. April 28, 1990. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:13 Acquisition of Rights to Use of Land.

216-A:13. Acquisition of Rights to Use of Land. Where the proposed trail route passes through land owned by the federal government, or by a unit of county or municipal government, the state shall secure permission to construct a trail through such property. Where the land is owned by a private landowner, the state may acquire by purchase or gift or negotiate an easement from the landowner for the purpose of protecting or developing the New Hampshire Heritage Trail. Source. 1990, 263:3, eff. April 28, 1990.

RSA 216-A:14 Liability Insurance.

216-A:14. Liability Insurance. The department shall provide a liability insurance policy to provide protection to private landowners whose property is under agreement for use as part of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail by easement, lease or other legal means. Source. 1990, 263:3, eff. April 28, 1990.

RSA 216-A:16 Cooperation with Other Agencies.

216-A:16. Cooperation with Other Agencies. The department of natural and cultural resources shall work in cooperation with other municipal, state and federal agencies, including private organizations, in order to carry out its duties. Such agencies and organizations shall assist the department to assure that all existing state owned or leased lands within the trail corridor are reviewed for use in the development of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail. Source. 1990, 263:3. 1995, 10:6, eff. April 12, 1995. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

RSA 216-A:17 Applicability of Other Statutes.

216-A:17. Applicability of Other Statutes. All provisions of RSA 216-F, multi-use statewide trail system, shall be applicable to the department for the purposes of carrying out this chapter. Source. 1990, 263:3, eff. April 28, 1990.

Source: New Hampshire General Court (gc.nh.gov)URL: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-XIX-216-A.htmFetched: 10/20/2026