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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 31, 2001
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM RECEIVES GRANT FROM NARRAGANSETT BAY RESOURCES FOUNDATION TOWARD UPGRADE OF GREAT SWAMP SHOOTING RANGE

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that The Narragansett Bay Resources Foundation has donated $10,000 in matching funds to its hunter safety education project for improvements to the Great Swamp Management Area shooting range. The range, operated by DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, is used for hunter education training and small caliber shooting practice.

Luther H. Blount, president and chairman of the foundation, presented a check for the funds on behalf of the foundation, to John Stolgitis, Chief of DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife.

"This is an extremely beneficial contribution that will help to improve a training facility for youngsters who participate in the Division's continuing hunter safety education program," Stolgitis said. The only public range in the Rhode Island, it also serves about 800 small caliber firearms owners a year through a no-cost permit system.

The 25-year-old shooting range, constructed by the hunter safety education program's former coordinator, Ormonde "Slim" Borsay and a Youth Conservation Corps crew, is being upgraded to enhance safety, accessibility and amenities. It is expected to reopen next spring with a heightened backstop, handicapped access and improved parking.

Upgrades will also include the addition of side berms, a redesigned firing line with shelter, new shooting benches and target stands, and the addition of a sitting area for those not on the firing line. The improvements will result in a safer range of the same size with the capability to serve shooters for many years to come.

This is the second donation to DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife from the Narragansett Bay Resources Foundation, formerly known as the Renew the Resources of the Bay Foundation. In 1990, the Division received $50,000 from the foundation for anadromous fish restoration. The funds were used to support broodstock enhancement and fishway maintenance.

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