For Release: July 14, 1998

Contact: Lisa Pelosi, (401) 222-2080, x 203

Pager (401) 745-0651

Governor Lincoln Almond has declared this week, July 11-19, 1998, as Clean Boating Week in Rhode Island. The designation is coordinated with the National Clean Boating Campaign, an effort to inform boaters on ways to minimize the environmental impact of boating.

In order to make it easier for boaters to discharge sewage or fuel, the Department of Environmental Management has announced grants for two new mobile pumpout boats on Narragansett Bay, using funding authorized by the federal Clean Vessel Act. The pumpout boats will be stationed in Warren and Newport, and will bring the State's network of pumpout facilities to 44, including six mobile units.

Rhode Island's next step toward ensuring clean boating will be to make the Ocean State the first in the nation to ban boat-based sewage discharges in all state waters. DEM is working with the state's marina operators and environmental groups to declare all Rhode Island waters no-discharge areas. Approval of the plan by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected in early August.

The National Clean Boating Campaign has produced a series of fact sheets to help boaters avoid polluting coastal waters with sewage or fuel. Common-sense tips to avoid sewage discharges include using shoreside toilets and marine pumpout facilities whenever possible. The fact sheets are available in the "Program Update" section of the Department's website at www.dem.state.ri.us, or by calling DEM's Office of Technical and Customer Assistance information line at 222-6800 weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.