For Release: July 15, 1997

Contact: Robert Sutton 277-2776

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management has completed design of a 24-foot wide, 80-foot long pier that will replace the deteriorated Pier A in Galilee, and expects construction to begin in November. DEM will also replace about 200 pilings throughout the port, beginning in early fall, as a prelude to replacing Piers B, C, and D which are berthing piers for commercial fishing boats.

"The Port of Galilee is an extremely valuable economic resource for Rhode Island," said Frederick Vincent, Acting Director of DEM. "The commercial fishing industry is a vital part of the State's economy." The dockside value of the 130 million pounds of fish and shellfish off-loaded in 1996 at the Ports of Galilee and Newport owned and maintained by DEM was close to $70 million.

"It is imperative that we provide adequate facilities for our fishermen, and that we do all we can to create an attractive atmosphere for residents and tourists while doing so," Vincent said.

Pier A, one of the port's oldest docks, is the southernmost pier in Galilee, behind Champlin Seafood, and is at the entrance to the port. The new heavy-duty timber pier will extend about 80 feet into the harbor as does the present pier, but will be about triple the width of the current facility. Funds for the $200,000 project include a $150,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and a $50,000 state legislative grant.

The pilings throughout the port will be replaced using part of the $1M designated in this year's capital plan for port improvements from the Governor's Delaware Plan, an asset protection program using state revenue for capital improvements on a pay-as-you go basis.

Replacement of piers B, C, and D themselves, each about 100-feet long, is expected to begin next spring. DEM owns and maintains a total of about 7,000 feet of piers in Galilee.