The resignation of Sarah Stewart, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, follows a significant communication failure regarding plans for an immigrant detention facility in Merrimack. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte requested Stewart’s resignation, which took effect on Monday, following public criticism over the handling of information related to the facility.
Ayotte’s office confirmed the resignation in a press release, highlighting that Stewart had not informed the governor or other state officials about communications with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding potential impacts on protected land from a proposed warehouse. This information was submitted to the state Division of Historical Resources on January 12, 2025, by the federal Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE operations.
In the wake of the controversy, Ayotte emphasized the importance of communication within state agencies. “It’s important to me that the commissioners communicate, and this was a serious lapse of communication,” she stated. The governor has called for a review of the incident by the attorney general’s office, aiming to ensure accountability and transparency in future dealings.
The response from the Executive Council was equally critical. Councilor David Wheeler expressed a loss of confidence in Stewart’s leadership, stating, “I think you ought to consider moving up your resignation.” This sentiment was echoed in a joint statement from the five-member Executive Council, which expressed serious concerns about the oversight of supervisory practices within the department.
The ACLU of New Hampshire played a role in uncovering the documents that revealed knowledge of the proposed ICE facility within Stewart’s department. These documents were made public through a right-to-know request, raising questions about the processes in place for communicating significant policy matters.
Stewart, who had been in her role since June 2018, had previously announced her intention to resign in June 2026. She was first appointed by former Governor John Sununu and was reappointed in 2022 for a four-year term. Prior to her role as commissioner, Stewart co-founded a consulting agency and served as deputy campaign manager for John McCain during his 2008 presidential campaign.
Following Stewart’s resignation, Adam Crepeau, currently the deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, is set to be nominated as acting commissioner at the next Executive Council meeting. The transition reflects a commitment by the state to address the issues raised by the recent events and to enhance communication and oversight within its agencies.
As the incident continues to unfold, the Executive Council has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that state agencies operate with the highest standards and that matters of significant public interest are communicated promptly. The people of New Hampshire, as stated in their statement, deserve transparency and accountability from their government.
