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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON OCTOBER 4 TO DISCUSS WAYS TO RESTORE WATER QUALITY IN THE NARROW RIVER PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 4 in Narragansett to discuss recommendations and strategies for restoring water quality in the Narrow River. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Corless Auditorium located on South Ferry Road.DEM has completed a draft water quality restoration plan, otherwise known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), to address bacterial contamination in the river. The plan was compiled based on data from previous Narrow River water quality investigations, a review of land use in the watershed, and the results of more than 500 water quality samples collected during both dry and wet weather conditions since 1999. Such plans are mandated by the federal Clean Water Act and establish the maximum pollutant load that a waterbody can assimilate and still meet water quality standards. The Narrow River watershed comprises more than 8,000 acres within the boundaries of Narragansett, South Kingstown and North Kingstown. The Narrow River and its associated streams, brooks, and wetlands are important wildlife habitat and recreational resources. As such, they are deemed high priorities for restoration by the department. The river consistently fails to meet state standards for fecal coliform, an indicator of pathogen contamination. As a result, it is closed to shellfishing, and safe swimming in portions of the river is threatened. DEM will present the draft water quality restoration plan to the public at the October 4th meeting. Interested parties will have until November 5 to provide written comments to DEM. The department will respond to all comments received and, as appropriate, revise the draft restoration plan prior to submitting the final document to the Environmental Protection Agency for final approval. Copies of the executive summary from the draft document will be available at the meeting. The entire document is available online at DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov/ programs/benviron/water/quality/rest/index.htm. Additional information about the meeting and the water quality restoration program in general are available by contacting Kevin Bartlett in DEM's water quality assessment section by phone at 222-4700 ext. 7163 or by e-mail at kbartlet@dem.state.ri.us. -30- |
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