AGP Executive Report

Flash Flood Watch for NH: A severe thunderstorm warning hit southern New Hampshire Tuesday, and forecasters say the bigger risk is midweek. Heavy rain with embedded storms could bring flash flooding Wednesday, especially in the southern half, with showers lingering into Thursday. Water Quality Update: At Surry Mountain Lake, a swimming advisory will continue through at least this week as the U.S. Army Corps delays extra testing because more heavy rain is expected; earlier samples showed bacteria above state standards, blamed in part on large numbers of geese. Lake Safety Incident: The floating restaurant The Dive on Lake Winnipesaukee burned Saturday and is considered a total loss; officials say the fire started in the kitchen area, and there were no injuries. Wildlife & Health Watch: Scientists report a transmissible cancer spreading among catfish in a Vermont/Canada lake, adding to growing concerns about contagious wildlife diseases. Community & Environment: A local story walk at the Weirs Community Park highlights lake-region culture for kids, blending reading with outdoor exploration.

Severe Weather Watch: New Hampshire is heading into a wet midweek stretch, with showers and thunderstorms Tuesday and the best chance for steadier, heavier rain Wednesday into Thursday—enough in spots to trigger flash flooding, especially in the southern half. Lake & Water Safety: Lake Sunapee is under monitoring after two separate hazardous materials spills Saturday; officials say both are contained and not expected to harm the public. Fire on the Water: The floating bar and restaurant “The Dive” on Lake Winnipesaukee was destroyed by a kitchen-area fire Saturday; investigators say it’s not suspicious and there were no injuries. Air Quality Tips: A Keene air quality expert urged practical protection during wildfire smoke, including using HEPA filtration and setting up a “clean room” indoors. Local Land Use Concern: Residents raised objections to a Castle in the Clouds proposal for high-impact outdoor recreation with up to 4,000 attendees, warning about impacts to wildlife, terrain, and historic grounds. Community Events: The Weirs Community Park Association launched an outdoor Children’s Story Book Walk tied to a local lakes-themed book.

Lake Sunapee Spill Watch: Officials are monitoring Lake Sunapee after two separate hazardous materials spills Saturday, including an estimated 5 gallons of oil and gas from a sunken boat and a later sheen in Sunapee Harbor; crews say both incidents are contained and not posing harm to the public. Lake Winnipesaukee Fire Investigation: New Hampshire State Fire Marshal investigators are probing a kitchen-area fire that destroyed the floating bar and restaurant “The Dive” on Lake Winnipesaukee; no injuries were reported, the boat is a total loss, and environmental crews deployed booms and are monitoring cleanup. Western Maine Conservation Win: A landmark deal permanently protects 78,000 acres around the Magalloway River watershed, connecting to a much larger conserved landscape and preserving public access for hunting, fishing, paddling, and snowmobiling. Wildlife Health: Vermont plans an August rabies vaccine bait drop, with vaccine baits delivered across parts of Vermont and nearby areas including parts of New Hampshire to slow the spread of rabies in wildlife. Weather: Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms at times in northern New Hampshire, with the best rain chances midweek and a risk of isolated flooding.

Lake Winnipesaukee Fire: A floating bar and restaurant, “The Dive,” was destroyed by a fire on Lake Winnipesaukee Saturday afternoon. Officials say no one was injured, and the state fire marshal’s office believes the blaze started in the kitchen area and is not suspicious. The NH Department of Environmental Services deployed booms as cleanup continued. Weather Watch: Monday starts with fog giving way to sun, but unsettled conditions build through midweek, with the best chance for heavy rain and thunderstorms arriving Tuesday night into Wednesday night. Local Water & Wastewater: Meredith’s selectboard will discuss the Lake Waukewan Dam project and a proposed disc golf course, while Laconia’s Winnipesaukee River Basin Program moves toward hiring a director and forming a study commission to explore a local wastewater authority. Rare Wildlife: New Hampshire Audubon confirmed a rare Atlantic puffin sighting near Rye’s Star Island, based on submitted photos, triggering a statewide alert. Energy Policy: The Trump administration acknowledged in court filings that it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants tied to political identity of grant-recipient states, drawing fresh criticism from Democrats and environmental groups.

Lake Winnipesaukee Fire: A popular floating restaurant and bar, “The Dive,” was destroyed in a massive Saturday fire on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Fire officials say no one was hurt, the blaze appears to have started in the kitchen, and the state’s environmental agency deployed booms and is monitoring cleanup. Clean Energy Funding Fight: The Trump administration acknowledged in court filings that it canceled $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants for hundreds of projects “based solely” on which states voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, drawing fresh criticism from Democrats and environmental groups. Local Water Watch: Tewksbury’s annual consumer water report highlights safe drinking water and ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including river-based intake protections and multi-stage treatment. NH Environment & Health: New Hampshire Audubon confirmed a rare Atlantic puffin sighting near Rye’s Star Island, while separate reporting notes PFAS concerns tied to loon eggs across the state. Energy Costs Pressure: A Sanbornton homeowner says solar cut electric bills from over $200 a month to about $4, underscoring how rising costs can outpace assistance programs.

Clean Energy Funding Fight: The Trump administration admitted in court documents it canceled $7.6 billion in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects “based solely on the political identity” of the recipient states, drawing fresh backlash from Democrats and environmental groups. Local Water & Wastewater: Meredith’s selectboard will discuss the Lake Waukewan Dam project, plus a proposed disc golf course, while Laconia’s Winnipesaukee River Basin Program moves toward hiring a director and studying a local wastewater authority. Drinking Water Check-In: Tewksbury’s consumer water report highlights safe drinking water and ongoing river-based treatment and infrastructure upgrades. NH Nature Watch: Atlantic puffins are showing up in New Hampshire waters—rare enough to trigger statewide alerts—after a sighting near Rye’s Star Island. Climate-Linked Safety: A new study flags Nevada’s high rate of child deaths in hot cars, underscoring heat risks during summer travel. Research & Health: Vermont researchers report a contagious transmissible melanoma in freshwater fish, adding to concerns about environmental impacts on wildlife.

Energy Costs & Relief Gaps: A Sanbornton homeowner says solar cut his electric bills from $200+ a month to about $4, but he still had to pay $23,000 upfront—highlighting how NH’s fuel and energy assistance can lag behind rising costs. Clean Energy Grants Fight: The Trump administration acknowledged in court filings that it canceled $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants for hundreds of projects “based solely” on whether the recipient state voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, drawing backlash from Democrats and environmental groups. Local Water & Wastewater Planning: Meredith’s selectboard will discuss the Lake Waukewan Dam project and related updates, while Laconia’s council will weigh next steps for the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program, including hiring a director and studying a local wastewater authority. Lake Health Watch: Pleasant Lake in New London has seen recurring cyanobacteria blooms since 2022, prompting expanded monitoring and questions about what’s driving the annual toxins. Wildlife in Focus: New Hampshire Audubon confirmed a rare Atlantic puffin sighting near Rye’s Star Island, with puffins not breeding in the state. Severe Weather Memory: A look back at the July 24, 2008 tornado that tore through 11 NH communities over a 50-mile path.

Clean Energy Funding Fight: The Trump administration says it canceled $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants because of the political identity of recipient states, a move Democrats and environmental groups call “weaponized” punishment. Data Center Pressure in New England: A growing “ratepayer protection” push aims to keep data-center costs from landing on utility bills, but critics warn it could still reshape local power and water burdens. Vehicle Inspections Lawsuit: A new federal court challenge argues New Hampshire ended vehicle emissions inspections too soon, violating the Clean Air Act before EPA approval. Public Health & Water Quality: Pleasant Lake in the Upper Valley is seeing recurring cyanobacteria blooms since 2022, prompting tighter monitoring as toxins can cause illness. Wildlife & Climate: New Hampshire’s Loon Preservation Committee is hosting winter ice rescue talks, highlighting how changing conditions are increasing risks for loons. Weather Watch: Despite warm air, the ocean can trigger hypothermia fast; officials issued a beach hazard warning for NH and Maine. Local Outdoor Life: UNH marked a milestone for a new ocean and Great Lakes mapping center, funded largely by NOAA and NIST.

Data Center Costs & Power Bills: President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge is expanding, with 23 Republican governors joining utilities and Big Tech to argue data-center upgrades shouldn’t raise household electricity bills. Beach Safety in NH/ME: Even with 80-degree air, the ocean is in the mid-to-upper 50s; a hypothermia beach hazard statement warns swimmers and paddlecraft users to treat cold water as a real danger. Air Quality via Car Emissions Tests: A Wilton woman is suing New Hampshire over ending annual vehicle emissions testing, arguing it could worsen air quality and violate the federal Clean Air Act. Foodborne Illness in NH: New Hampshire DHHS confirmed nine cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled iceberg lettuce served at the Cheshire Medical Center cafeteria in Keene. Severe Weather Reminder: A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of New Hampshire as the region faces renewed storm chances.

Aviation & Jobs: IndiGo’s record deal for 1,000+ LEAP-1A engines could support 20,000+ GE Aerospace jobs across states including New Hampshire. Energy Costs & Politics: A new push by Republican governors backs Trump’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” aiming to keep data-center grid upgrades from landing on utility bills. Air Quality & Lawsuit: A Wilton woman sues New Hampshire over ending vehicle emissions tests, arguing it could worsen air quality and violate the Clean Air Act. Public Health: New Hampshire DHHS confirmed nine cyclosporiasis cases tied to lettuce served at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, linked to a national recall. Climate & Health Research: UNH received an $8 million NSF grant to study ticks and tick-borne diseases, including work on how climate and habitat affect risk. Weather: Sunny, warm conditions continue across New Hampshire, with only minor wildfire smoke possible and the next best rain chance early next week.

Weather & Air: Cooler, drier air is moving into New England with mostly sunny skies, though a bit of upper-level haze may linger; high surf advisories are in effect along parts of the MA and RI coast. Public Health (Ticks): UNH won an $8 million NSF grant to study ticks and tick-borne diseases across New Hampshire, focusing on deer ticks, dog ticks, and winter ticks, with year-round monitoring stations planned. Wildlife & Habitat: Keene is planning small underpasses to help amphibians safely cross a road, building on Vermont’s salamander crossings that cut deaths by 80%. Local Flood Risk: Peterborough earned FEMA’s top flood insurance discount class rating (Class 7) for floodplain management, stormwater work, and public outreach. Environment & Safety (Water): Crews responded after a vehicle was fished from the water at New Harbor, using oil containment booms and cleanup steps with state environmental follow-up. Policy & Energy (Data Centers): Twenty-three Republican governors signed Trump’s data center “ratepayer protection” pledge aimed at keeping households from absorbing utility cost increases tied to AI power demand.

Tick-borne illness research: UNH has received an $8 million NSF grant to study ticks across New Hampshire, including how climate and habitat affect the deer tick, dog tick, and winter tick, with researchers setting up 22 monitoring stations statewide. Wildlife crossings: Keene is planning small underpasses to help amphibians safely cross a road during spring migrations, building on results from Vermont crossings that cut deaths by 80%. Severe weather: A severe thunderstorm warning hit parts of New Hampshire (including Rockingham County and southeastern Hillsborough), with hail and damaging wind gusts expected before the alert expired early afternoon. Air and weather outlook: Forecasters say Thursday brings cooler, drier air and lower humidity, with only minor haze from wildfire smoke aloft, plus a high surf advisory along parts of the MA/RI coast. Food safety: New Hampshire farms and public health groups are watching the national Cyclospora outbreak, as local producers report shifting demand and heightened food-safety planning. Energy policy debate: A commentary argues Northeastern states’ green energy mandates are driving up electricity costs, pointing to rising rates in the region. Local infrastructure: Crews began decommissioning the Bedford toll plaza on the F.E. Everett Turnpike, switching fully to electronic tolling and starting demolition planning.

Road Safety & Infrastructure: Crews have started decommissioning the Bedford toll plaza on the F.E. Everett Turnpike, shifting fully to electronic toll collection and setting up a demolition phase expected to take up to 10 weeks with changing traffic patterns. Wildlife & Habitat Connectivity: Keene is planning small underpasses to help amphibians safely cross a road, aiming to reduce deaths for imperiled salamanders; Vermont’s similar crossings reportedly cut amphibian fatalities by 80%. Water & Public Health Watch: Researchers in the Lake Memphremagog region (Quebec/Vermont) report the first known transmissible cancer in a freshwater fish, raising questions about lake conditions even as they say it poses no threat to humans. Severe Weather: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for parts of southeastern New Hampshire, with potential for damaging wind gusts and hail. Air Quality & Climate Stress: The Northeast remains under the influence of wildfire smoke aloft while scattered storms move through, keeping residents mindful of health impacts. Local Conservation & Community Funding: NBRC and USDA Rural Development announced $1.9 million for 13 community-driven projects across the Northern Border states, including planning and infrastructure support. Environment in Court: A Wilton woman plans to sue New Hampshire over the repeal of car safety and emissions inspections, arguing it harms her health.

Wildfire smoke & air quality: Canadian wildfire smoke is still pushing unhealthy air across the Northeast, with New Hampshire among the states under air quality alerts as PM2.5 levels rise and health warnings urge people to limit outdoor activity. Storms & flooding risk: New Hampshire weather is turning more humid with downpours and possible strong thunderstorms Tuesday and scattered storms Wednesday, with officials urging storm awareness for the evening commute and beyond. Northern Lights: A minor geomagnetic storm could make aurora visible from parts of northern states, including New Hampshire, though short summer nights may make faint displays harder to spot. Local environment & water concerns: Warner’s planning board is weighing environmental worries tied to a proposed workforce housing project near the Warner River, with residents raising runoff and groundwater contamination questions. PFAS & wildlife monitoring: New reporting flags PFAS found in loon eggs across New Hampshire, renewing concerns about lakes and fish. Recreation resilience: Coverage highlights how rising temperatures and extreme weather are changing outdoor recreation in New Hampshire and pushing communities to adapt.

Local Water & Housing: Warner’s planning board heard conservation concerns about a proposed 34-unit housing project near I-89 Exit 9, with neighbors warning runoff could contaminate the Warner River and shallow wells tied to the Warner Village Water District. Storm Watch: New Hampshire is heading into a more humid stretch with passing downpours and possible strong storms Tuesday night, plus scattered showers and storms Wednesday before drier weather returns. Wildfire Smoke & Health: Canadian wildfire smoke continues to affect the region, with air quality alerts and health warnings urging residents to limit outdoor activity when conditions worsen. Brownfields to Housing: The Monadnock Economic Development Corporation says it received $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to speed brownfield cleanup, supporting future mixed-use housing and redevelopment in Cheshire County and western Hillsborough County. Solar Policy Update: Plug-in balcony solar is gaining legal footing, and New Hampshire is among states that have passed legislation—now backed by a new UL 3700 safety standard for plug-in systems. Northern Lights: NOAA says the aurora could be visible from parts of New Hampshire Tuesday night into early Wednesday, with best viewing chances after 10 p.m. Community Planning: Hancock postponed a subdivision hearing after finding an application unfinished, focusing on frontage, setbacks, and how a private road would be handled.

Water Quality & Wildlife: New Hampshire researchers report PFAS “forever chemicals” in loon eggs, raising fresh alarms about contamination in lakes and the fish people rely on. Energy Costs: NHPR reports most Granite Staters will see electricity supply-rate hikes starting Aug. 1, tied to weather-driven demand, natural gas prices, and how energy markets set rates. Local Solar Policy: A new UL 3700 safety standard is helping plug-in balcony solar move from legal gray area to mainstream, with New Hampshire among states that have already passed enabling legislation. Outdoor Recreation & Weather: Forecasters say Tuesday could bring heavy rain and thunderstorms, with humidity returning after a brief stretch of clearer, drier conditions. Community Events: Pittsfield’s Free Hot Air Balloon Night Glow returns July 31–Aug. 2, offering a family-friendly, walk-through display of tethered balloons after sunset. Food Safety: A national recall of iceberg lettuce tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak in 27 states has left consumers confused after FDA later flagged a “false positive” test result.