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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: December 3, 2001
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES HOME FUELWOOD CUTTING PROGRAM AT NARRAGANSETT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY RESEARCH RESERVE

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management is accepting bids from individuals for the right to harvest cords of wood through the Department's Home Fuelwood Program. The woodcutting helps to improve wildlife habitat by stimulating new growth, creating den trees and cavity nesting sites, and creating wildlife openings, while providing firewood for homeowners.

A total of nine lots are available for cutting in DEM's Narragansett Bay National Estuary Research Reserve on Prudence Island. The lots will be marked for cutting following ecological forest management practices. Seven lots at the south end of Prudence Island and one lot at the north end of Prudence Island contain approximately two cords of wood each, and one lot at the south end of Prudence Island contains approximately one cord of wood.

The right to cut the trees will be awarded on a competitive bid. Each bid will be on a per lot basis.

Information and bid forms can be obtained at the Reserve, 55 South Reserve Drive, Prudence Island, 02872, or by calling the reserve office at 683-6780. Bids will be opened at noon on Monday, December 17 at the Reserve. Bidders are not required to be present. Successful bidders will have up to seven days to pay for the wood (payment must be by check or money order made out to DEM/State of Rhode Island), and cutting may begin after full payment has been received. Cutting must be completed and all wood removed from the lots by February 1, 2002 (weather permitting). Fuelwood lots will be open for cutting from 8:00 am to 12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the time period, and successful bidders can remove wood until 3:00 pm on those days.

DEM launched the Home Fuelwood Program in response to the energy crisis of the late 1970s. The program has continued as a well-received initiative that benefits the environment as well as the individuals who participate.

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