Thursday, July 19, 2012
The deadline has been extended to Jan. 1, 2014.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, July 19, 2012
The following is from a press release. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that several amendments to state onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) regulations have taken effect. The changes are designed to protect coastal salt ponds and provide relief to property owners by not requiring the replacement of treatment systems as part of modest home improvement projects. The amendments follow a series of discussions initiated by Rep. Donna Walsh (D-District 36), who formed a taskforce of local community officials to study the issues. Most of the changes were prompted by requests from the town councils of Charlestown, South Kingstown and Westerly, representatives of the state legislature, and builders. The first …
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
DEM is accepting grant applications from now until Aug. 17.
The following is from a press release. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is now accepting applications from qualified public and private marinas, yacht clubs, and municipalities to construct, replace, retrofit and maintain marine pump-out boats and land-based pump-out facilities. Up to $18,750 is available for each land-based facility grant, and up to $56,250 is available for each pump-out boat. Each type requires a 25 percent match. A total of $680,000 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act funds provided to DEM is available to be awarded through this grant round. In 1998, Rhode Island became the first state in the country to receive the US Environmental Protection Agency's "No Discharge" designation, which …
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Some residents say the sign is new, but DEM claims the sign has been there all along.
Several Portsmouth residents are questioning a sign they say they first noticed at Patriot's Park this past weekend. A few residents and even an elected, town official questioned the sign at Patriots' Park, which in bright red lettering states the park is closed from sunset to sunrise. The park is property of the Department of Environmental Management. Some questioned if the sign was posted as a reaction to the NAACP's recent statements against the (mysterious) Occupy Portsmouth group. However, a DEM spokesperson says the sign has been at the park for some time. "That sign has always been there," said Gail Mastrati, spokesperson for DEM. Occupy Portsmouth, despite not showing at any scheduled protests to date, is supposed to hold a …
41.599827
-71.260723
Patriots Park
W Main Rd & State Hwy 24, Portsmouth, RI
/articles/have-you-seen-the-sign-at-patriots-park
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Monday, February 27, 2012
A sewage spill in Pawtucket has prompted the closing of the Conimicut Triangle and Upper Narragansett Bay to shellfishing as of noon today.
- NEWS
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Monday, February 27, 2012
Correction: A previous version incorrectly referred to the incident as an "oil spill." The closure was enacted after a raw sewage spill. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has closed the Conimicut Triangle and Area A of Upper Narragansett Bay to shellfishing due to a sewage spill in Pawtucket. The closure went into effect at noon today. According to DEM, a significant, but unknown quantity of raw sewage entered the Seekonk River from a sewage overflow from the Narragansett Bay Commission’s wastewater collection system in the area of Berry Spring Street and School Street in Pawtucket. Officials from the Narragansett Bay Commission discovered the overflow from the Bucklin Point sewer system this morning and began emergency …
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The reserve is one of nine locations throughout the state to receive the solar panels.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Prudence Island Research Reserve will become a little more energy efficient thanks to a new state project. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) plans to install a single, pole-mounted solar array at the research reserve. The array will generate more than 3,700 kWh of electricity each year. Students involved in educational programs at the Prudence Island Research Reserve will learn about sustainable energy created by solar panels and other renewable sources. “These installations demonstrate a significant investment in Rhode Island’s commitment to renewable energy. The projects will not only reduce our electricity bills at the different facilities, but will provide a great educational tool for the public,” said Governor …
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Have you seen any deer on the road this season?
- NEWS
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the Rhode Island State Police are advising motorists to be alert for deer, particularly at dawn and dusk. The deer mating season is currently underway and will continue through November and much of December. Deer tend to move around more frequently during this time, and November is typically the peak period for road kills. With shorter daylight hours, many commuters are on area roads during the dawn and dusk hours, when deer tend to be most active, according to DEM. Many of those deer live and roam in suburban and urban areas. Deer dart out suddenly and often travel together so motorists should watch for any other deer that may try to cross…
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The announcement was made Wednesday by the Department of Environmental Management.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced Wednesday that one pool, or a sample of 49 bird-biting mosquitoes collected on Sept. 19 in Tiverton, tested positive for West Nile Virus. The virus was identified at the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) laboratory, which tests mosquito samples collected each week by DEM. Results for the remaining 88 pools collected on Sept. 19 are pending. This is the second pool of mosquitoes trapped this year to test positive for West Nile Virus, as one mosquito pool collected on Aug. 22 in Providence confirmed positive for the virus, according to DEM. On Sept. 14, the DOH reported that a man in his 50s from Providence County was diagnosed with the virus. He reportedly first developed …
Friday, September 23, 2011
Apples, tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, squash and potatoes are among locally-grown items at local farmers' markets.
- BUSINESS
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Friday, September 23, 2011
Along with the arrival of autumn on Friday is an abundance of locally-grown fall produce that is available for purchase at farmers’ markets and roadside stands throughout the state. From now through late October, farmers’ markets in state parks and facilities managed by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will offer consumers a wide assortment of freshly-grown produce. Among items currently in peak supply are apples, tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, squash and potatoes. Freshly-harvested local lobsters, in addition to native fruits and vegetables and home-baked goods, are available at the State Pier Nine farmers’ market. The Pier Nine farmers' market is also the pick-up site for a community supported fishery program operated by …
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Free lodging at Prudence Research Reserve Cottage is available to disabled hunters.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A special deer hunting season for hunters who are paraplegics, or double amputees, will be offered by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) on Prudence Island in October. The Prudence Island hunt will be offered from Oct. 11 to 14 at the South End Management Area. DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife has offered special hunting opportunities for disabled hunters for more than 40 years. The program continues to be popular, offering an average of 10-12 participants the experience of big game hunting. DEM alters the general deer hunting regulations during the special hunt to allow the use of vehicles and other mechanized devices that would ordinarily be prohibited. Paraplegic hunters are also permitted to use shotguns on the island…
Friday, September 9, 2011
DEM asks swimmers to stay out of the water this weekend until the effects of Katia have passed.
- NEWS
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Friday, September 9, 2011
The Department of Environmental Management is urging residents to exercise caution along southern shoreline areas this weekend because of the strong rip currents and heavy surf expected as Hurricane Katia remains off the southeast New England coast. An advisory issued this morning by the National Weather Service cautions that as the storm passes to the east of the state on Saturday, there will be high surf and dangerous rip currents along the south shore, in addition to gusty northeast winds. DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation is advising the public to continue to follow the advice of the National Weather Service and its high surf advisory, and refrain from entering the water until the effects of the storm have passed. A rip current…
Joe Sousa.
6:49 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The story fails to mention that State law only allows a $5 dollar pump out fee per boat . With out the ability to recoup cost few will take advantage. Gas, maintenance, disposal cost , and labor make it an expensive endeavor. more ›