WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today announced that the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership is in line to receive $5.3 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through a 2007 funding measure currently moving through the Senate.  The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the Fiscal Year 2007 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations measure, which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate.  Senator Gregg is the former Chairman, and a current member, of the CJS Subcommittee and included the funding in the NOAA budget. Through his position on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Gregg has worked to secure $50 million for Great Bay Partnership projects from 1997 through 2006.          

Senator Gregg stated, “The Great Bay is one of the most extraordinary environmental resources in our state and ensuring its protection is critical.  The work being done by the Partnership continues to make sure that generations of New Hampshire residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the Bay in all its natural splendor.  I applaud the Partnership for their continued successes in protecting the Bay and look forward to their future accomplishments which will be aided by this funding.” 

"This is great news for the people of New Hampshire and beyond," said Daryl Burtnett, state director of The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire. "With the support of Senator Gregg, the Conservancy and our partners have been able to protect important places on Great Bay for people and nature. We've been able to conserve essential habitat for flora and fauna, but also safeguard precious water resources and provide places for recreation for generations to come. We applaud the Senator's efforts."

  The FY 07 funds will support the continued conservation efforts.  Current priority areas include Cronmet and Lubberland Creeks, lower Lamprey River, Tuttle Swamp and the Great Bay and Little Bay shorelines.  The GBRPP is led by the Nature Conservancy and includes the NH Fish and Game Department; Ducks Unlimited; NH Audubon; and the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.  It seeks to permanently protect critical habitats at Great Bay.  Since 1995, the partnership has protected 4,456 acres. Local communities and other organizations have protected an additional 3,020 acres.

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