RI Department of Environmental Management

Spotlight on Environmental Protection

DEM Encourages Rhode Islanders to Get Outdoors and Enjoy Cross-Country Skiing, Snowmobiling, Sledding and Snowshoeing at State Parks and Management Areas

DEM is encouraging children, families and individuals to get outdoors and enjoy the recreational resources that Rhode Island state parks and management areas have to offer. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing are among the many outdoor activities that residents and visitors can experience at state parks and recreation areas across Rhode Island. (More info)

DEM Reminds Government Agencies and Private Businesses to Select and Prepare Potential Snow Disposal Sites

DEM is reminding government agencies, municipalities and private businesses to take some time to select and prepare potential snow disposal sites. (More info)

DEM Announces Availability of Farm Viability Grant Funds to Enhance and Promote Rhode Isalnd Speciality Crops

DEM announces that $150,000 in farm viability grant funding is available for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture, honey, hops and turf grass production. (More info)

Deer Hunting Season on Black Rock Parcel on Block Island Will Be Open Tuesday - Friday from January 20 to February 13

DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife is preparing for the annual deer hunting season at the Black Rock/Rodman Hollow parcel on Block Island... Hunting on the parcel will take place weekdays from Tuesday through Friday, and there will be no weekend hunting on the property. Hunters taking part in this year's hunt were selected by a lottery application process. (More info)

Rabid Pony Confirmed in Lincoln; Those Who May Have Had Contact with the Pony Advised to Contact HEALTH for Evaluation

The Rhode Island Department of Health and DEM are alerting the public that a pony collected from Lincoln in the vicinity of Sherman Avenue has tested positive for rabies... HEALTH is in the process of identifying and evaluating all of the people that had contact with the pony to determine whether they should receive post-exposure treatment. The pony was not vaccinated against rabies. (More info)

DEM Begins Stocking Trout for Winter Fishing Season

DEM is stocking trout in ponds throughout Rhode Island for the winter fishing season beginning January 6, 2015. Division of Fish and Wildlife will stock approximately 3,000 trout in eight (8) ponds statewide. (More info)

DEM Announces Availability of Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grants to Strengthen Local Food System

DEM is accepting applications for the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grants program. The grants will assist small or beginning farmers market and promote the sale of Rhode Island grown agricultural products and local seafood. (More info)

DEM Accepting Online Applications for 2015 Seasonal Positions

DEM says it's not too early to think about seasonal employment at state parks, beaches and campgrounds. (More info)

DEM Announces Availability of Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology for Development of the 2014 Integrated Report

DEM's Office of Water Resources announces that the draft Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (CALM) for conducting the 2014 surface water quality assessments is available for public review. The CALM describes the decision-making process used for assessing the quality of the state's surface waters and for generating the list of impaired waters. (More info)

Inland Fishes of Rhode Island, a Book Published by DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife, Available for Purchase at DEM Offices in Providence and West Kingston

DEM announces that Inland Fishes of Rhode Island, a beautiful book depicting the more than 70 species of fish found in Rhode Island's ponds, streams and rivers, is currently available for purchase at DEM offices in Providence and West Kingston. (More info)

Eight Indoor Winter Farmers' Markets Throughout the State Offer Rhode Islanders a Wide Variety of Local Products

Rhode Islanders now have eight winter farmers' markets available throughout the state where they can purchase a wide variety of locally-grown and produced products. DEM's Division of Agriculture and partners are helping to sponsor the indoor farmers' markets through the "Get Fresh. Buy Local." statewide campaign aimed at promoting awareness of and interest in buying RI-grown specialty crops. (More info)

Rhode Island State Conservation Committee Releases the 2014 Update to The Rhode Island Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook

The Rhode Island State Conservation Committee, under the direction of DEM, has approved the adoption of updates to the Rhode Island Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook. (More info)