N.H. Rev. Stat. § 246:19
Whenever any railroad shall deem it necessary for the public safety, or to prevent the kindling and spread of fire from its locomotives, that the land at or near any highway or private crossing at grade, or upon the inside of any curve, be cleared and kept clear of buildings, trees, brush or other obstructions, or that a strip of land alongside its right of way be cleared and kept clear of trees, brush or other vegetation as a fire strip, or whenever, to comply with any order made under RSA 373:18 it shall be necessary for any railroad to remove buildings, trees, brush or other obstructions from land not owned by it, any such railroad may file a location with the secretary of state and apply by petition to the department of transportation for permission to take such land, or such rights and easements in land, as may be needed for such purposes.
RSA 246:19
1951, 203:58 par. 19. RSA 373:19. 1985, 402:6, I(e)(5).