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, …

• Photos (1)

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…

• Photos (1)

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 …

• Photos (1)

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 …

• Photos (1)

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…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

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 …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

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 ›

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beetles!

RIDEM and the USDA need volunteers for tree surveys for Asian longhorned beetles in three state parks.

Release courtesy of RIDEM. Through a cooperative effort with the USDA and Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, the Department of Environmental Management will conduct tree surveys in state parks and management areas this month for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB).  ALB is an invasive insect that came to the United States in wooden shipping crates from China and Korea more than 16 years ago. It affects hardwood shade trees such as maple, ash, birch, willow and elm by boring into the core of the tree and eventually killing it. This beetle has the potential of wiping out thousands of the state’s trees if it goes undetected.  The ALB surveys will take place on Tuesday, August 7 at Burlingame State Park in Charlestown; Thursday, August 9 …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

RIDEM: West Nile Found in Westerly Mosquitoes

Mosquito breeding is picking up this time of year, and as a result, West Nile was found in samples from Chapman Swamp in Westerly.

The Department of Environmental Management announces that a sample of mosquitoes collected on July 9 in Chapman Swamp in Westerly has tested positive for West Nile Virus. Samples are tested weekly at the Rhode Island Health Department laboratory. The sample, or pool, of 35 mosquitoes is a species that can bite both birds and humans. West Nile Virus is increasingly being detected in mosquito samples trapped at multiple locations in Boston, Western Connecticut and Long Island.  While Eastern Equine Encephalitis has not yet been isolated in Rhode Island this season, it was recently isolated in mosquitoes trapped in Lakeville, Carver, Rehoboth and Easton, Massachusetts.  Both diseases are more prevalent in late summer and early fall.  …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

DEM: Grant Applications Available for Boat Pump-Out Facilities

According to the DEM, there is $680,000 in federal Clean Vessel Act funds available for boat pump-outs.

The Department of Environmental Management announces that it 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 US 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “No Discharge” designation, which prohibits the discharge of sewage…

• Photos (1)

DEM: Scarborough, Roger Wheeler Open This Weekend

Scarborough North and Roger Wheeler are open this weekend, followed by the new East Matunuck facility next week.

The Department of Environmental Management announced today that three state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning this Saturday, May 12.  Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler and Misquamicut state beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 12 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.  The beach at Lincoln Woods State Park will open on a daily basis, weather permitting, beginning Saturday, May 12. Goddard Memorial State Park beach will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, …

• Photos (2)