Going Green

Meeting Tonight on Shellfish Management

DEM, URI and CRMC officials are asking for public input on shellfish management.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, with support from the University of Rhode Island, are developing a Rhode Island Shellfish Management Plan.  There will be an RI SMP Stakeholder Meeting, to promote the participation of individuals and businesses concerned with the future of the commercial and recreational issue of shellfish on Wednesday, May 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Corless Auditorium at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography’s Narragansett Bay Campus. This full stakeholder meeting will include an update on the SMP, including the plan's progress, on-going projects, and proposed next steps. In addition, the meeting will serve as the…

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Going Green

State Beaches Open Saturday

Locally, Scarborough, Roger Wheeler and East Matunuck all open up on Saturday.

Release courtesy the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The Department of Environmental Management announces that four state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning this Saturday, May 11.  Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, East Matunuck and Misquamicut State beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 11 until Memorial Day to accommodate early beach-goers and advance season pass sales. All state beaches will be open on a daily basis from Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer outdoor recreation season, through Labor Day.  “We’re excited to welcome Rhode Islanders and visitors back to Rhode Island’s spectacular state beaches this season, …

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Going Green

Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend

There is no need for a fishing license or trout conservation stamp this weekend in Rhode Island.

For those who want to go fishing but still haven't picked up their fishing license, the state is giving you a freebie this weekend. On May 4 and May 5, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has scheduled free fishing days throughout the state. Visitors and Rhode Island residents need not worry about getting their fishing license or a trout conservation stamp this weekend in freshwater areas. The offer does not extent to saltwater areas, however. DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife is holding a special fishing tournament on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carolina Trout Pond in Richmond where anglers have a chance to catch a coveted golden rainbow trout. DEM is stocking the pond with the Rhode Island hatchery…

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You Ask, Patch Answers

DEM: Freshwater Fishing Season Opens April 13

In advance of the freshwater fishing season, about 80,000 trout have been stocked in Rhode Island ponds and streams.

When is opening day? Release courtesy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces that the 2013 trout and general freshwater fishing season will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 13.  More than 20,000 anglers are expected to turn out at dawn on Opening Day. About 80,000 hatchery-raised brook, brown and rainbow trout with an average individual weight of one and a half pounds are being stocked by Division staff in more than 100 ponds and streams for the start of the fishing season. “For generations of Rhode Islanders, Opening Day is a traditional time to get out at dawn and head to a favorite fishing spot to experience the delight of catching …

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DEM: Workshops on Fishing, Hunting Regulations in April

Hearings on regulations for the 2014-15 fishing season and the 2013-14 hunting and falconry seasons will be held April 2 and 3.

Release courtesy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold public workshops in Tiverton and Exeter in early April to discuss the proposed 2014-2015 freshwater fishing seasons, 2013-2014 falconry season, and the 2013-2014 hunting season and bag limit regulations. Public workshops will be held on Tuesday, April 2 at the Tiverton Rod and Gun Club located at 1529 Fish Road in Tiverton, and on Wednesday, April 3 at the Education Center located within Arcadia Management Area at the former Camp Ehuntee, located at 1B Camp Ehuntee Place in Exeter.   Both workshops will start at 6:00 p.m.  A public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held …

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Strictly Business

EDA Invests $2.9M in Galilee

Governor Chafee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Jim Langevin and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine applaud the critical infrastructure investment.

Release courtesy of Senator Jack Reed’s office. The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation and state leaders today announced a $2.9 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to rehabilitate critical infrastructure at the Port of Galilee in Narragansett. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine joined Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin today in Narragansett to make the announcement. “The Obama administration is committed to strengthening the critical infrastructure that is vital to the economic health of local communities,” said Deputy …

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Millions Secured for Galilee; Press Conference Friday

According to a release from Jack Reed’s office, several officials will be on hand Friday morning to announce millions in federal funding secured for Galilee.

Release courtesy the office of U.S. Senator Jack Reed. In an effort to help spur business activity, create jobs and boost Rhode Island’s fishing industry, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin will join Governor Lincoln Chafee, a key official from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and local leaders Friday, March 1st at 10 a.m. to announce a major investment to help modernize the Port of Galilee. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is receiving a competitive federal economic development grant from EDA to rehabilitate critical infrastructure at the Port of Galilee. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically …

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WANTED: Possibly Rabid Raccoon

DEM and HEALTH are cautioning Rhode Island residents following a raccoon bite in North Kingstown on Monday.

A North Kingstown resident is being treated for rabies exposure and two dogs have been quarantined following an incident with a possibly rabid raccoon Monday night. According to the State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Management, the attack was unprovoked and happened at about 6:30 p.m. Monday on Heritage Road in North Kingstown. The vaccination status of the dogs is currently being evaluated. The animal eluded authorities' attempts to capture it and remains at large. DEM and the health department are warning that the raccoon is presumed to be infected with rabies as the animal's behavior is not typical for raccoons. Residents are urged to contact DEM or North Kingstown Animal Control (401-295-5579) if any sick or …

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DEM Attempting to Catch Bear Sighted in NK

Where's the bear? Watch out in case it migrates south!

State officials are seeking to catch a bear last seen in North Kingstown. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is setting up traps and sensors in the woods of North Kingstown, hoping to capture the bear. Last week, multiple North Kingstown residents spotted the bear in the area off of Newcomb Road. Before that, another bear (no confirmation on whether or not it was the same bear) was reportedly seen in Cranston and was even caught on a surveillance video. Officials are hoping to catch the bear and move it to a more suitable environment away from people, according to WJAR-TV. According to Charlie Brown of DEM, the bear killed several chickens. And hey, remember when there was a possible mountain lion in Matunuck? That was…

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DEM: Viruses Found in Charlestown, NK Mosquitoes

According to DEM officials, West Nile Virus has been found in Charlestown mosquitoes, and the Highlands J virus in North Kingstown mosquitoes.

Release courtesy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from one mosquito pool, or sample, from a trap set in the southeast area of Charlestown has been confirmed positive for West Nile Virus. It is the fourth time this year that WNV has been positively identified in Rhode Island.  The positive WNV result was from a species of mosquitoes that feeds on both birds and mammals. In addition, a sample of mosquitoes also collected on Sept. 5 in North Kingstown near Wickford has tested positive for Highlands J virus. The positive result was from a Culiseta species that bites birds. Highlands J virus is a bird disease that doesn't affect humans, but which …

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Govstench

4:40 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012

Looks like Mr. Gettman had better get some fly swatters and bug spray and get out behind the desk and do his job. All this nice stuff about bugs biting after dark, DUH???? We don't know this? Are these people in the Twilight Zone?   more ›