DEM TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON AUGUST 21 TO DISCUSS WAYS TO RESTORE WATER QUALITY IN CROOKED BROOK

RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene

Home > News > News Item

Draft Crooked Brook TMDL

News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	August 8, 2002
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON AUGUST 21^ST TO DISCUSS WAYS TO RESTORE WATER QUALITY IN CROOKED BROOK

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, August 21 to discuss recommendations and strategies for restoring water quality in Crooked Brook. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Corless Auditorium at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, located on South Ferry Road in Narragansett.

DEM has completed a draft water quality restoration plan, otherwise known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), to address bacterial contamination in the brook. The plan was compiled based on data from previous Crooked Brook water quality investigations, a review of land use in the watershed, and the results of more than 100 water quality samples collected during both dry and wet weather conditions since 2001. 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.

Located in the Town of Narragansett, the Crooked Brook watershed is the second largest tributary to Pettaquamscutt Cove and the third largest tributary to the Narrow River. The brook consistently fails to meet state standards for fecal coliform, an indicator of pathogen contamination.

The principal sources of bacteria to Crooked Brook are stormwater runoff and fecal matter from livestock, domestic pets and waterfowl. Recommended pollution reduction measures include the development of local stormwater management plans, the implementation of stormwater mitigation best management practices, and the expansion of resident educational programs that promote good stewardship of the brook.

DEM will present the draft TMDL at the August 21 meeting. Interested parties will have until September 21^st to provide written comments about the plan to DEM. The department will respond to all comments received and, as appropriate, revise the draft TMDL prior to submitting the final document to EPA for final approval. Copies of the plan's executive summary will be available at the meeting. The entire draft document is available online at DEM's Internet website at www.state.ri.us.dem by clicking on Programs, then Water Resources, then Water Quality, then Water Restoration Plans, then Crooked Brook.

For additional information about the August 21 meeting or the water quality restoration program, call Jason McNamee in DEM's Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 ext. 7520 or contact him by e-mail at jmcnamee@dem.state.ri.us.

-30-

For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer