Commissioner Resigns Following Communication Failure on ICE Facility

The commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Sarah Stewart, has resigned following revelations that her agency failed to properly communicate plans for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Merrimack. The resignation took effect immediately after Governor Kelly Ayotte accepted it on February 6, 2026.

The situation unfolded after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire obtained records indicating that federal authorities were interested in purchasing a large warehouse in Merrimack for ICE operations. Ayotte criticized the failure of communication as a “serious loss of communication,” emphasizing that local residents should be informed and allowed to participate in discussions regarding changes in their community.

Stewart stated that the information was not intentionally withheld from the governor’s office and claimed she was unaware of the plans until the ACLU made them public. According to Stewart, an employee in the Division of Historical Resources had received an inquiry from ICE in January, but the information did not reach her in a timely manner.

Communication Breakdown and Accountability

During a recent meeting, members of the Executive Council questioned Stewart about the internal lapses that allowed this information to go uncommunicated. Stewart acknowledged that the process of internal notification had failed, stating, “Division leadership should have elevated this consultation to me because of its potential public sensitivity. That did not happen.”

As required by the National Historic Preservation Act, the federal government must assess the impact of projects on historic properties. Stewart noted that New Hampshire typically receives over a thousand consultations each year regarding such assessments, which are considered routine.

Despite the routine nature of the Section 106 consultations, Ayotte expressed concern over the lack of transparency in this case. She remarked, “We were trying to have an open dialogue with Merrimack about this facility… the local town of Merrimack should have an ability to know what is happening in their community.”

Stewart declined to comment further when contacted for an interview.

Next Steps for the Department

In light of Stewart’s resignation, Ayotte plans to nominate Adam Crepeau, the deputy commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services, to serve as acting commissioner while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

The incident raises questions about communication protocols within state agencies, especially concerning sensitive matters that could impact local communities. Ayotte had previously expressed frustration over the lack of responses from the White House and Department of Homeland Security regarding the facility’s plans after they were first reported by The Washington Post in December 2025.

As New Hampshire navigates the implications of this administrative shift, local residents in Merrimack and beyond are left to consider the broader impacts of federal immigration enforcement in their communities.