The state of New Hampshire has declared the Hampton salt marsh as a prime wetlands, as requested by a 2009 annual Town Meeting vote.

Town Manager Fred Welch said town worked closely with Hampton Falls under a grant from the N.H. Coastal Program to identify several high-quality wetlands in both towns that met the N.H. DES prime wetland criteria.

The Hampton salt marsh complex was the town's largest (1,744.9 acres). In 2009, Hampton residents voted in favor of a warrant article to seek this designation.

Officials said the prime wetland designation will further protect the fragile salt marsh environment from encroachment/development and preserve the marsh's ability to control and limit flooding and erosion to adjacent properties.

"This important step will help preserve Hampton's water resources, natural drainage facilities, and aquatic life habitats," said Conservation Commission coordinator Rayann Dionne.