6.08 Ammonoosuc River Corridor Overlay Zoning District
6.08.01 Purpose
The purpose of this overlay district is to protect the public health safety and general welfare along a commercially zoned portion of the Ammonoosuc River by the creation of a 100-foot vegetated buffer. The intent is to minimize the degradation of the river, river bank and adjoining land by uncoordinated, unplanned and piecemeal development. The river corridor district is also intended to protect and enhance water quality and flood attenuation values, preserve open space and aesthetic values, and protect aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat. which are critical attributes of the Town of Littleton.

6.08.02 Authority
The Ammonoosuc River Corridor Overlay Zoning District has been adopted pursuant to the authority of RSA 674:21(j) as an innovative environmental characteristics land use control. It is an overlay district and shall be superimposed on the other districts established by the Littleton Zoning Ordinance. All applicable underlying zoning regulations shall remain in effect, except where the Ammonoosuc River Corridor Overlay imposes additional regulations

6.08.03 District Boundaries
The District shall include areas shown on the Official Littleton Zoning Map as within the Ammonoosuc River Corridor Overlay District. It includes all land within 100 feet, horizontal distance, of the ordinary high water mark of the west side of the Ammonoosuc River from where the river flows under I-93 to a point downstream where the Ammonoosuc River and the Route 302 right of way abut, which is 3600 feet upstream of the Lisbon town line.

6.08.04 Permitted Uses
Any use that legally existed at the effective date of this ordinance shall be allowed to continue but in no event enlarged or extended.

Other permitted uses within the 100-foot vegetative buffer are:

1. Conservation of water, plants and wildlife.
2. Emergency procedures necessary for safety or protection of property including the removal of dead or dying trees or trees that pose an immediate safety or erosion threat.
3. Usual and necessary maintenance and repair for the continuance of an existing use.
4. Recreation and nature trails, including snowmobile trails, consistent with the purposes of the ordinance, provided there is minimal disruption of existing vegetation and wildlife habitat, as determined by the Planning Board and that standards in the publication "Best Management Practices For Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance and Construction" are utilized.
5. Overhead or underground utility crossings provided vegetative cover is restored in any disturbed areas.
6. Wetland mitigation measures, which are part of a NH Department of Environmental Services or US Army Corps of Engineers, permitted project.
7. Storm water drainage practices, provided there is no alternative location on the lot, vegetative disturbance is minimized, and all practices are designed according to the standards in the publication, "Storm water and Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Urban and Developing Areas in NH", as amended. All storm water drainage practices shall be approved by the Littleton Planning Board.