FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Focus: Tamworth spokesperson:
Charles Greenhalgh
603 356-5439 x 516

If unavailable:
Kate Vachon, press coordinator
603 323 8224
focus@focustamworth.org

Focus: Tamworth obtains settlement of Water Quality appeal

Agreement means better handling of fuel distribution, runoff and spills. Group vows to continue pressing for local regulation of racetrack development

(TAMWORTH, NH, December 1, 2005)  Focus: Tamworth, a citizens’ group dedicated to supporting local regulation of development, has signed an agreement with Club Motorsports in settlement of Focus: Tamworth’s appeal of CMI’s state Water Quality certificate. 

Club Motorsports, a Derry, NH-based developer, wants to build a private racetrack for fast cars and motorcycles on the north face of Mt. Whittier in Tamworth.

CMI has agreed to all but one of the conditions requested by Focus: Tamworth. Five additional conditions will now become part of CMI’s 401 Water Quality Certificate issued by the NH Department of Environmental Services. The permit will not be valid unless these additional conditions are met.

“We appealed the certificate because we were concerned about the possible release of gasoline at the site,” explained Charles Greenhalgh, Focus: Tamworth spokesperson. “CMI has agreed to change its proposed mobile fuel distribution system to a stationary system, which is what our appeal asked the Department of Environmental Services to require. They have agreed to change their design to incorporate better spill control and more elaborate drainage and runoff control structures, which we had also asked for. But CMI would not agree to our request for a permanent ban on the dispensing and sale of fuels containing MtBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether). They have only agreed to a ban until January 1, 2007, when the state law that bans MtBE is scheduled to take effect.

“This is only a partial victory for the environment,” Greenhalgh said. “We are disappointed that CMI did not agree with our assessment of the extreme environmental hazards of MtBE.”

Greenhalgh said that Focus: Tamworth will now concentrate on its pending suit to require CMI to apply for a Special Use Permit under the Tamworth Wetlands Ordinance. “CMI has challenged the validity of Tamworth’s Wetlands Ordinance, and we intend to defend the ordinance vigorously,” Greenhalgh said. He pointed out that the operating plan CMI presented in October will produce violations of another local ordinance, the Tamworth Noise Ordinance. “We believe that local regulation of all aspects of this racetrack is essential, and we will continue to work toward that goal,” he stated.

He added that Focus: Tamworth is considering an appeal of the Army Corps of Engineers permit that CMI received in August.

CMI received its Section 401 Water Quality Certificate from NH Department of Environmental Services on March 22, 2005. On April 22, 2005, Focus: Tamworth filed an appeal. A hearing was scheduled before the Water Council in December, but will not be necessary because of the settlement.

Focus: Tamworth is a coalition of local residents who support careful and fair regulations that protect Tamworth’s economic and natural resources. More information on Focus: Tamworth is available at www.focustamworth.org.

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