           Home > News > News Item |
||||||
 |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM ANNOUNCES THAT CERTAIN AREAS WILL REOPEN TO SHELLFISHING AT SUNRISE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that certain areas of Narragansett Bay, namely, south of Prudence Island, portions of the Sakonnet River, and Ninigret and Potters Ponds will re-open to shellfishing beginning at sunrise tomorrow (Thursday, October 20.) DEM's decision to reopen those areas is based on test results from extensive sampling done by staff on Tuesday.The areas that will reopen, in addition to Ninigret and Potters Ponds, specifically are: in the Bay, all waters south of a line in the West Passage from the easterly point at Lone Tree Point in North Kingstown to the northern tip of Jamestown; and, in the Sakonnet River, all waters south of a line from the easterly tip of McCorrie Point in Portsmouth to the westernmost extremity of Sapowet Point in Tiverton. Due to extreme sewage overflows and stormwater runoff experienced during the recent storm emergency, DEM, last Saturday, closed most bay waters of the state and all south coastal ponds to shellfishing until further notice. The original closure areas included all waters north of Black Point to Beavertail Point to Brenton Point, and all waters north of Sachuest Point to Sakonnet Point; also, all waters from Point Judith to Watch Hill, including all south coastal pond. Those areas not listed in today's reopening announcement remain closed. DEM will conduct follow-up sampling tomorrow to determine when additional waters will be safe for shellfishing. Additional sampling results may be available by Friday. Meanwhile, DEM maintains a recorded telephone information line, 222-2900, with the most updated information on shellfish closures. -30- |
|||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer