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 Palmer River Fecal Coliform TMDL (12/2001 Draft)
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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 ANNOUNCES TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS IN JANUARY TO DISCUSS WAYS TO RESTORE WATER QUALITY IN THE PALMER RIVER PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that two public meetings will be held in January to discuss recommendations and strategies for restoring water quality in the Palmer River, whose watershed spans two states. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 9 at the Barrington Public Library. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, January 10 at the Beckwith School in Rehoboth, MA. Both will begin at 7 p.m.DEM has completed a draft water quality restoration plan to address bacterial contamination in the river. The plan was compiled based on data from previous Palmer River water quality investigations, a review of land use in the watershed, and the results of water quality samples collected during both dry and wet weather conditions since 1996. 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. DEM has collaborated with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on water quality issues in the Palmer River. The Massachusetts DEP and Rhode Island's Save the Bay have conducted similar water quality investigations in the Palmer River watershed and will make presentations at both meetings. The Palmer River watershed comprises more than 47 square miles within Rhode Island and Massachusetts, encompassing land in Rehoboth, Swansea and Seekonk, MA and in Warren and Barrington. The Palmer River and its associated streams, brooks, and wetlands are important wildlife habitat and shellfishing and recreational resources. As such, they are deemed high priorities for restoration by DEM. The river consistently fails to meet state standards for fecal coliform, an indicator of pathogen contamination and as a result is closed to shellfishing. After periods of rainfall the river does not meet the fecal coliform standards for swimming. The principal sources of bacteria to the Palmer River and its tributaries are stormwater runoff, agriculture and fecal matter from domestic pets and waterfowl. Recommended future actions include pollution reduction measures such as implementation of best management practices to mitigate stormwater, the development of local stormwater management plans, the expansion of educational programs for residents that promote good stewardship of the river and further investigation of potential pollution sources, such as failing septic systems. Interested parties will have until February 10 to provide written comments about the restoration plan to DEM. The Department will respond to all comments received and, as appropriate, revise the draft plan prior to submitting the final document to the federal Environmental Protection Agency for final approval. Copies of the executive summary from the draft document will be available at the meeting. The entire draft document is available online at DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on topics, going to water quality and then clicking restoration studies. Additional information about the meeting or the water quality restoration program in general is available by contacting Veronica Masson at DEM by phone at 222-4700 ext. 7274 or via e-mail at vmasson@dem.state.ri.us. -30- |
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