This research presents the first analysis of environmental justice outcomes of compensatory mitigation policy in New Hampshire and in the New England region. The research analyzes socioeconomic differences between impact sites, where wetland ecosystem functions and values are lost, and mitigation sites, where wetland ecosystem functions and values are gained in New Hampshire. Examples of wetland ecosystem functions and values include flood storage, groundwater recharge/discharge, aquatic life habitat, ecological integrity and nutrient removal/trapping/retention.

Previous mitigation research analyzed compensatory mitigation programs in Florida, Chicago, North Carolina, and Maryland. These previous research studies took place in locations with higher populations, and very different socioeconomic demographics, as compared to New Hampshire. Based on data from the United States Census Bureau, New Hampshire’s population has comparatively higher educational attainment, higher median household income, and higher per capita income. New Hampshire also has a comparatively lower population density, minority populations, and lower total population (United States Census Bureau, 2019). Therefore, New Hampshire represents an interesting case study, in contrast to some better-studied and more densely settled regions, to analyze patterns of inequality in compensatory mitigation.

This thesis research is intended to provide guidance to state agencies, cities and towns, nongovernmental organizations, and others interested in advancing protection of New Hampshire’s aquatic resources. The analytic methods contribute to broader research into the human dimensions of water policy. This research evaluates the environmental justice impacts of NH’s compensatory mitigation program and asks:

·        Are there socioeconomic differences between the populations surrounding permit sites where wetlands and their associated ecosystem functions are lost, and in the populations surrounding mitigation sites where wetland ecosystem functions are gained, compared with the populations in other parts of in New Hampshire?

·        How does the choice of spatial grouping affect the patterns of socioeconomic differences between permit and compensation sites?

·        Do New Hampshire’s EJ communities participate in the ARM Fund?

My research contributes to the growing understanding of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for environmental justice analysis and applies geospatial research analysis to a relatively under-researched area of natural resource management, compensatory mitigation.