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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 9, 2009
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM ANNOUNCES SEASONAL REOPENING OF SHELLFISH WATERS THAT TAKE EFFECT ON OCTOBER 13
Small Portion of Shellfish Harvest Area in Jamestown's Sheffield Cove Remains Closed Due to Elevated Bacteria Levels

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that seasonal shellfish openings will take effect at sunrise Tuesday, October 13. Consistent with US Food and Drug Agency requirements, DEM closed these areas to the harvesting of shellfish in May due to potential water quality impacts associated with marinas and mooring fields.

The areas seasonally opened to shellfish harvesting include waters within the following areas: Block Island (Great Salt Pond), Bristol Harbor, Potter Cove (Prudence Island), Sakonnet Harbor, Wickford Harbor (Fishing Cove), Dutch Harbor (Jamestown), and a portion of the Kickemuit River.

However, shellfish harvesting in a small portion of the Sheffield Cove shellfishing area in Jamestown, which was also scheduled to reopen on October 13, will remain closed due to elevated bacteria levels. The area encompasses 3.4 acres of shellfishing grounds in Sheffield Cove, and includes those waters of Sheffield Cove in Jamestown north and east of a line from the DEM range marker at the southern most part of land along the south side of Maple Avenue to the DEM range marker located on the easterly side of Sheffield Cove.

High bacteria levels found in the drainage system in the Maple Avenue/Spring Street area of Jamestown are causing unacceptable bacteria levels in the immediate receiving waters. Throughout the summer DEM worked with the Town's public works department to investigate the problem, and the Department will continue to work with the Town to resolve the issue of elevated bacteria levels in this area.

A recorded list of areas closed to shellfish harvesting can be heard on DEM's shellfish information line, 222-2900.

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