For Release: October 15, 1998

Contact: Michael Lapisky 222-3075 or 789-3094

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the state's 1998-99 tenth anniversary waterfowl stamp is available.

The stamp, titled Black Duck at Galilee Bird Sanctuary, was designed and produced by Rhode Island School of Design graduate Robert Steiner, who has designed a number of state duck stamps.

Proceeds from the stamps are used for waterfowl research and management, restoration of waterfowl habitat, and for land acquisition benefiting the state's waterfowl population.

"The significance of this particular duck and habitat is that revenue from the Rhode Island waterfowl stamp program funded, in part, the Galilee Salt Marsh restoration project," said Michael Lapisky, DEM Deputy Chief for Wildlife Resources. "The project, completed last year, restored 128 acres of salt marshes and other habitats favored by the black duck, providing areas of abundant food and shelter during periods of harsh winter weather."

Among other projects that have benefited from stamp proceeds are the rehabilitation of the dam and water control structures at the Great Swamp, Burlingame, and Woody Hill State Management Areas as well as at Nye Marsh in Coventry.

The mint stamp is mandatory for waterfowl hunting and is free to anyone possessing a current valid Rhode Island hunting license. The stamp must be signed across the face and affixed to the license. Special edition stamps are valid for waterfowl hunting and do not have to be signed, but must be carried while hunting. Hunters can obtain their stamp through town clerks and licensing agents.

Collectors have several choices, including single mint stamps at $7.50 each, single hunter's type with tab at $7.50, corner plate blocks of four at $30, sheets of 30 mint stamps at $225, hunter's books of 10 at $75, and hunter's type pane of five at $37.50. Order forms are available from DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, 4808 Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, or by calling the Division at 277-3075 or 789-3094. Fifty hand-signed Governor's edition stamps will be available through the Division, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the cost of $97.50.