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HB 1530 · 2026 · House · Resources, Recreation and Development Committee

Notice required before removing beaver dams

AI-generated

requiring notification of abutters and public review prior to disturbing beaver dams in non-emergency situations.

Allows landowners to remove beaver dams or lower impoundment water levels without a permit in most cases, but requires 30-day notice to abutters and municipal officials plus a public informational meeting before altering shared beaver impoundments.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows the removal of beaver dams or the result of beaver activity without a permit under certain circumstances. This bill also requires notification and a public meeting before removal of beaver dams for shared water bodies.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“No person shall destroy or disturb or interfere in any manner with the dams or houses of beaver, without first obtaining a special permit from the executive director.”
RSA 210:9
“The landowner, [or] property owner, or landowner's agent shall be responsible for maintaining the flow device.”
RSA 210:9
“For the purposes of this section, "beaver impoundment" means a pond or wetland created or built by beavers.”
RSA 210:9
“The landowner intending to remove a beaver dam or significantly lower the water level in cooperation with the local governing body of each of the cities or towns, shall hold a public informational meeting at least 15 days prior to any action.”
RSA 210:9

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Eleana ColbyDPrime
  • Rep. Laurel StavisDRanking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Allison KnabDRanking Member· Resources, Recreation, and Development
  • Rep. Cathryn HarveyDRanking Member· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Rep. Will DarbyD, Rep. Wendy ThomasD

Public testimony

159 signed in online · 60 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

ForDam removal can cause unintended harm to neighboring landowners

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As Chair of the Lyme Conservation Commission, I am writing to express the commission's support for HB 1530. Beavers are an important part of the natural landscape.…”
— Blake Allison, Lyme · Lyme Conservation Commissionsupports
“As a Conservation Commissioner in the Town of Campton, I support any bill that allows a town, abutting neighbors and conservation commissions to be notified, and have the ability to provide critical input on potential actions that may harm the environment and local wildlife.”
— William Copeland Jr, Camptonsupports
“Although I generally support this bill, I believe we should also pay attention to the potential knock-on effects of nonemergency dam removal. Such effects can include damage and/or destruction of certain habitats, possibly including wild trout and related ecosystems.”
— Paul MacDonald, Hopkintonsupports
“I support this bill to ensure that landowners affected by the removal of beaver dams have the opportunity to be notified. Removal of beaver dams can have unintended consequences for upstream landowners and the public.…”
— Patricia Elwell, Auburnopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateAdopted189–156
    Overall
    55% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development5:55:09–6:01:075m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:39:39–4:40:451m 6slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, division 189-156

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 1 P. 24
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 03:15 pm GP 228
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 6 P. 17
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0172h
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 189-156 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 47

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.