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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DECAYING SEAWEED BELIEVED TO BE CAUSING OFFENSIVE ODORS IN CRANSTON NEIGHBORHOOD; DEM AND CRANSTON CITY CREWS WILL BEGIN CLEAN-UP ACTIONS IN STILLHOUSE COVE THURSDAY MORNING IF WEATHER CONDITIONS WARRANT PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management, working in conjunction with cleanup crews from the City of Cranston, will coordinate the removal and cleanup of decaying seaweed that has been washing up along the shoreline at Stillhouse Cove in the Edgewood section of Cranston since Friday. DEM anticipates the cleanup activity to get underway tomorrow. However, the heavy rain forecast for Thursday and Friday may curtail cleanup activities until the first available opportunity. The rotting seaweed is believed to be the source of objectionable odors that have been plaguing a small section of the Edgewood/Pawtuxet neighborhood since last weekend.Thursday morning, weather and equipment permitting, crews from DEM and the City of Cranston's Department of Public Works will begin removing the decaying material from the shoreline. The greatest concentration of seaweed is located in Stillhouse Cove at the foot of Windsor Road, and the odors are emanating from that location. The cleanup is expected to be completed in one day, and will be done at low tide. Work crews will rake the seaweed from the shoreline and transport it to the Central Landfill. This morning, inspectors from DEM's Office of Emergency Response were physically on-scene in the neighborhood to assess water and shoreline conditions. According to DEM inspectors, the odors are particularly intense at low tide. The configuration and shallowness of Stillhouse Cove has essentially trapped the decaying organic materials and prevented it from being pushed down the channel and out to sea. Decaying matter often releases hydrogen sulfide, a noxious gas that causes a strong odor. The public may report any continuing problems, and any suspected sources of those problems, to DEM's Office of Compliance and Inspection at 222-1360 (weekdays) or after hours/weekends at 222-3070. Rhode Islanders can listen to updates on the overall health of the Bay on "Bay Line," DEM's 24-hour telephone recorded information service, at 222-8888. In addition to updates on the health of the Bay, "Bay Line" provides Rhode Islanders with a central telephone number to leave a recorded message about any sign of Bay-related environmental problems for appropriate follow-up. Callers may also pose questions about the Bay. "Bay Line" also provides referral numbers for information about current restrictions on beaches and fishing, such as HEALTH's beach hotline, 222-2571 and the DEM shellfish line, 222-2900. -30- |
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