DRAFT ACTION PLAN FOR BLACKSTONE RIVER WATERSHED TO BE INTRODUCED AT SEPTEMBER 19 PUBLIC MEETING

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Draft Blackstone Watershed Action Plan

News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	September 11, 2001
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DRAFT ACTION PLAN FOR BLACKSTONE RIVER WATERSHED TO BE INTRODUCED AT SEPTEMBER 19 PUBLIC MEETING
Residents Invited to Comment on Plan and Join in Planning Process

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management and the Blackstone River Watershed Council will co-host a public meeting on Wednesday evening, September 19 to introduce a draft action plan for the Blackstone River watershed.

The draft plan - a work in progress - has been jointly developed by the Council and various representatives from the watershed communities, with DEM's assistance.

At the meeting, DEM Director Jan Reitsma will discuss the watershed approach to planning and explain why it is important that residents be involved in the planning process. Also, the meeting will provide the public with opportunities to comment on the draft plan, offer additional issues of concern, and learn about projects and programs already in place throughout the watershed.

Most important, the meeting will present an opportunity for concerned residents and business people from the nine Rhode Island towns within the Blackstone River watershed to join the council in planning for the future of the watershed. The council consists of representatives from each of the nine communities, environmental agencies and groups, and interested private citizens. The nine Rhode Island communities include Burrillville, Glocester, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Central Falls, Pawtucket, North Smithfield and Smithfield.

The Blackstone River watershed, which also includes 18 communities in Massachusetts, collects water from its high points and drains into streams, lakes, rivers, and eventually coastal waters. Protecting the watershed is vital for a healthy environment and healthy economy. Many activities - including common practices by watershed residents - are known to impact the water quality as well as the entire ecosystem of the watershed.

The draft action plan offers regional and ecosystem-based solutions to issues that cross political and jurisdictional boundaries, such as restoring water quality, remediating contaminated sites, and preserving significant landscapes. The plan is a starting point in addressing concerns that affect the entire watershed, or ecosystem. It takes the goals of watershed residents and translates them into specific actions to achieve those goals. DEM coordinated production of the draft action plan and provided technical assistance.

The September 19 meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Blackstone Valley Visitors' Center at 175 Main Street in Pawtucket. Participants are encouraged to obtain a copy of the draft action plan before the meeting. For an advance copy, contact Fred Presley at DEM by phone at 222-3434 ext. 4417 or via e-mail at fpresley@dem.state.ri.us. It can also be found on DEM's website at www.dem.ri.gov by clicking on Blackstone River under "Find Your Watershed".

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