DEM's 25th Anniversary
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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
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For Release: |
October 7, 2002 |
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Contact: |
Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418 |
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, CLEAN WATER ACT CELEBRATE MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES IN OCTOBER
PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management invites the public to participate in a series of events being planned this month to celebrate DEM's 25th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
The two most prominent events will be a State House ceremony on October 24 and a follow-up symposium on environmental issues, involving seven of the eight DEM Directors who have guided the agency since its inception.
The 1970s was an important decade for the advancement of environmental issues on both the state and national level. The Federal Clean Water Act was signed 30 years ago, on October 18, 1972. With the passage of this landmark measure, a new and exciting vision of achieving "fully fishable and swimmable waters" was launched throughout the United States. Looking back, it is clear that Rhode Island had made outstanding progress toward this ambitious goal. Rhode Island's rivers, ponds, lakes, wetlands and coastal waters are significantly cleaner today than they were three decades ago.
In an effort to consolidate state environmental agencies and programs, the General Assembly passed major legislation creating the Department of Environmental Management on October 1, 1977. The newly formed department absorbed and centralized the functions of the former Department of Natural Resources and the environmental health services section of the Department of Health.
While DEM has been confronted with a wide range of environmental challenges during the past quarter-century - some of which were unheard of in the 1970s - the agency's mission has remained consistent throughout the years: preserving the quality of Rhode Island's environment, maintaining the health and safety of its residents, and protecting the natural resources upon which life depends.
The State House event on the 24th will be hosted by Governor Almond and take place in the Governor's State Room. Leaders from the state's environmental community, including those who helped to establish DEM 25 years ago, will be participating. To signify the importance of clean water in Rhode Island, Governor Almond will proclaim 2002 as the Year of Clean Water in the state. Citizens who have volunteered to monitor water quality in their local lakes and rivers will be honored.
The schedule for DEM and Clean Water Act anniversary events is as follows:
- DEM's Tour of the Great Swamp
October 9
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Division of Fish & Wildlife's Great Swamp Headquarters in West Kingston
The general public and school groups will learn about the many benefits of the Great Swamp wildlife management area and how DEM's biologists care for it.
Contact: Brian Tefft, 789-0281
- DEM's Walk in the Forests
October 16
From 9 a.m. to noon at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick
The general public and school groups will participate in walking tours of the forest at Goddard Park and learn about the benefits of healthy forests from foresters in DEM's Division of Forest Environment.
Contact: Paul Dolan, 647-3367
- National Water Quality Monitoring Day
October 18
This day provides an opportunity for volunteer monitors, school groups and others to collect and test water samples. Visit www.yearofcleanwater.org for information on monitoring kits and to register.
Contact: Linda Green, URI Watershed Watch, 874-2905
- Photo Exhibit: "An Act Written in Water: 30 Years of Progress in Rhode Island"
The exhibit will be on display in the RI State House Rotunda from October 22-24; on the Providence Place Mall Sky Bridge on November 2; at DEM's 235 Promenade Street Headquarters from November 4 - 14; at Warwick Mall from January 6 - 12, 2003; and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council from January 21 - February 7, 2003
Contact: Lisa McGreavy, 222-4700 ext. 7611
- Governor's Reception Celebrating DEM's 25th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
October 24
From 3 to 5 p.m. in the Governor's State Room at the RI State House
The celebration will feature a speaking program that includes anecdotes of how DEM was established, the impact of the Clean Water Act in Rhode Island, outstanding volunteer achievement awards, a photo exhibit, and refreshments with a Rhode Island flavor.
Contacts: Bob Ballou, 222-4700 ext. 4420 or Lisa McGreavy, 222-4700 ext. 7611
- Panel Discussion with DEM Directors
October 24
From 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Department of Health Auditorium in the Cannon Building
Join Jan Reitsma and former DEM Directors Bill Harsch, Ed Wood, Bob Bendick, Louise Durfee, Mike Annarummo, Tim Keeney and Andy McLeod for a thought-provoking discussion, moderated by Trudy Coxe, on the environmental challenges and opportunities facing Rhode Island in the 21st Century.
Contact: Bob Ballou, 222-4700 ext. 4420
- DEM's 25th Anniversary Celebration
October 25
From 6 to 11 p.m. at Valley Country Club in West Warwick
Contact: Rayna Santoro, 222-4700 ext. 2409
- Workshop on Water Quality Monitoring in Rhode Island
November 13
From 4-7 p.m. in the Cafeteria at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence
This free workshop is for agencies, watershed groups, municipalities and others interested in learning about water quality monitoring programs.
Contact: Lisa McGreavy, 222-4700 ext. 7611
Additional information about DEM's 25th anniversary events is available online on DEM's website at www.dem.state.ri.us by clicking on News, then 25th Anniversary, under Hot Topics. For more information on local Year of Clean Water events, click on Programs, then Water, then 30th Anniversary Celebration on DEM's website. The national Year of Clean Water website, www.yearofcleanwater.org, is a good resource for Year of Clean Water events throughout the US.
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