There's a lot going on right now and I have not had the time to put together any outreach material on this. When RSA 482-A:26 was adopted in its original form in 1969 it effectively prohibited boathouses over the bed of any natural lake or pond greater than 10 acres in size or artificial impoundment where the state owned the bed or flowage rights. I can say this wasn't about adding cost to anyone, it was about eliminating all structures over public waters that had any kind of residential use. As evidence of intent, the original language specifically prohibited all repair and reconstruction of such structures. Eventually someone asked if they could excavate a basin in their own land and build over that. Since the law didn't prohibit it, it was allowed. The Shoreland Protection Act did not yet exist. Over time RSA 482-A:26 has been changed in a variety of ways, for a variety of reasons. In its current version it would appear to no longer prohibit boathouses over public waters. Given the option now of permitting boathouses over the water instead of digging up the shoreline, everyone seems to agree that not digging up the shoreline would be less environmentally impacting. So, we've changed our rules and that's the direction we're going in. (RSA 482-A:26 does still prohibit conversion to, or use of, these new structures to a residence.) Once we have some outreach materials ready, I'll post a link to them.
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