           Home > News > News Item |
||||||
 |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM, PARTNERS DEDICATE HANDICAP-ACCESSIBLE BOAT RAMP AND PARKING LOT ON THE PAWCATUCK RIVER IN WESTERLY PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management, in partnership with the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Town of Westerly, this morning dedicated a new handicap-accessible boat ramp and parking lot on Main Street in downtown Westerly. It is the first such public ramp in South County.Located at the mouth of the Pawcatuck River, the facility includes a non-slip fiberglass dock with multiple landings that allow boaters with disabilities and others to easily board their boats regardless of the level of the tide. Adjacent to the boat ramp is a paved parking area with spaces for 30 vehicles and trailers. The parking lot includes a drainage and stormwater treatment unit that will remove 80 percent of solids such as sand and gravel from stormwater entering the Pawcatuck River from the lot. In addition, a separator will remove oil and grease from the stormwater. "DEM is committed to increasing access to our natural resources for those who are physically challenged," said DEM Director Jan Reitsma, noting that there are an estimated 54,000 boats that use Rhode Island waters, including 35,000 registered in the state. "We are delighted to have helped develop this new opportunity in Westerly, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor's Commission on Disabilities on additional boat ramp and dock improvements throughout the state over the next few years." Bob Cooper, Executive Secretary of the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, said, "People with disabilities living in or visiting South County now have access to Rhode Island's greatest resource - the ocean - with the installation of the sixth accessible boat launching facility. These world renowned boat launching docks and ramps have been an example of federal/state/local partnerships to ensure everyone has access to the sea in the Ocean State. The Commission was pleased that its $39,881 has helped make Westerly's ocean front useable to people with disabilities." "This new Westerly boat launching facility demonstrates that the State of Rhode Island continues to be a national leader in providing high quality facilities for anglers and recreational boaters," said Bob Sousa, Region 5 Chief of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. "We are pleased to be able to cooperate with the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife in providing much needed public access for the citizens of Rhode Island." Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere, who was instrumental in obtaining state capital funds for the new parking lot, said, "This is a great project. It certainly fits in well with the revitalization of Downtown Westerly. On behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank the Governor and the Department of Environmental Management for moving this important project forward." The project was constructed in two phases. The first phase, which was completed in 2000, included construction of the 20-foot wide boat ramp and courtesy dock, and site work for a gravel parking area. The second phase, which was done in conjunction with the Department of Transportation's 3R Improvements to Broad and Main Streets, included installation of the drainage and water treatment system and paving the parking lot. The total cost for the project was $346,758. $171,103 was provided from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Aid, through DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife; the Governor's Commission on Disabilities provided $39,881; a legislative appropriation of $85,774 was provided from state capital funds; and the Town of Westerly provided $50,000. The project was designed by DEM's Division of Planning and Development and constructed by the Cardi Corporation and J.H. Lynch and Sons. Last year, Governor Lincoln Almond was presented with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director's Equal Opportunity Achievement Award. The award recognized the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife for outstanding accomplishments in the design and construction of handicap accessible boat ramps in Rhode Island. The state's handicap-accessible docks and boat ramp projects have attracted national attention with the Governor's Commission on Disabilities receiving inquiries from disability groups and recreation planners in other states. Since 1996, new handicap accessible boat launch facilities have been built at Weaver Cove in Portsmouth, Oakland Beach in Warwick, Bold Point in East Providence, Colt State Park in Bristol, Haines Park in Barrington - and now on Main Street in Westerly. -30- |
|||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer