For Release: July 3, 1997

Contact: Robert Sutton 277-2776

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management acquired 54 acres of land by the southern boundary of the State's Simmons Mill Pond Management Area in Little Compton Friday, June 27. The parcel, which contains the Cole Brook which flows from Simmons Mill Pond and is within the Quicksand Pond watershed, will be incorporated into the existing 400 acre management area which is used by the public for fishing, hunting, and hiking. Simmons Mill Pond Management Area is the most recent of DEM's management areas, purchased in 1995, and sees its highest use by town residents who use it primarily for hiking.

Frederick Vincent, Acting Director of DEM said the addition provides a greater buffer around the area and increases available public recreation opportunities. Parking and access to the management area is on John Dyer Road.

The Nature Conservancy provided $115,000 of the $250,000 parcel which was bought from Irving J. Orton. The remaining $135,000 came from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service federal aid grant under the Pittman-Robinson program for wildlife habitat preservation.

"Rhode Islanders, by voting to approve every conservation bond issue put before them, have shown time and again that land and wildlife preservation are extremely important to them," Vincent said, "and such preservation and protection is a vital function of our agency. The Nature Conservancy, and sportsmen and women who through fees on hunting equipment and fishing licenses supplement public funds for land acquisition made possible this purchase and our recent purchase along the Pawcatuck River. All Rhode Islanders should be appreciative of them."

Early in June, DEM purchased a seven acre parcel in the village of Shannock, in Richmond, with about 2000 feet on the Pawcatuck River. The parcel, which will be used by the public for canoe portage and fishing, was purchased for $6,000 from Donald J. Packer of South Kingstown with funds from DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife's receipts from the sale of fishing licenses.