NH Congressional Delegation Urges Feds Compensate State For Rescues In White Mountains

Citing changes in population and the recreational use of federal lands in New Hampshire, the state's four-member congressional delegation has sent a letter to federal agencies requesting they meet with NH Fish & Game (NHF&G) officials to consider ways the feds can compensate the state for "rising costs" associated with expensive search and rescue operations in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). The 750,000-acre forest comprises nearly 14 percent of NH's land and is a popular destination for adventurers, hikers, snowmobilers, skiers and other recreational tourists.

The letter, written by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Maggie Hassan, Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and Rep. Ann Kuster, was sent in December to Vicki Christiansen, acting chief of the US Forest Service (UFS), and Margaret Everson, acting director of US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). The USF is part of the US Dept. of Agriculture; the FWS, part of the US Dept. of the Interior.