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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 26, 2005
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES THAT THREE ADDITIONAL AREAS WILL REOPEN TO SHELLFISHING AT NOON TODAY -- OCTOBER 26
Vast Majority of Emergency Closure Waters Will Now Be Open for Shellfishing

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that three additional areas will re-open to shellfishing beginning at noon today. DEM's decision to reopen those areas is based on test results from sampling done by staff on Monday.

The additional areas include all of Winnapaug Pond; an area in the northern portion of the Sakonnet River; and an area of the west middle Bay, south of a line from the northern extremity of Pojac Point, to the southern extremity of Patience Island to the southern extremity of Sheep's Pen Cove on Prudence Island.

This announcement is in addition to areas that were reopened by DEM on Saturday, October 22, namely, all of Quonchontaug Pond, the western portion of Point Judith Pond, and an area of the Bay north of Jamestown. DEM also announced earlier that it had reopened areas south of Prudence Island, portions of the Sakonnet River, and Ninigret and Potters Ponds. Also, the Bissel Cove - Fox Island shellfish management area in North Kingstown was opened to shellfishing, effective Monday, October 24 from 8 a.m. to noon on weekdays.

As a result, all conditional areas, east middle Bay (north of a line from the southern tip of Prudence Island to Carr Point in Portsmouth), west middle bay, north of a line from the northern extremity of Pojac Point, to the southern extremity of Patience Island to the southern extremity of Sheep's Pen Cove on Prudence Island; and the eastern portion of Point Judith Pond remain closed until further notice. All other shellfish closures remain in effect as described in the "Notice of Polluted Shellfish Grounds May 2005."

A recorded list of areas still closed can be heard on DEM's shellfish information line, 222-2900.

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