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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 28, 2005
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO HOLD HEARING NOVEMBER 10 ON PROPOSED NARRAGANSETT BAY AND WATERSHED RESTORATION BOND FUND

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 10, on proposed regulations to create and administer the Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond Fund. The fund would administer the $8.5 million portion of the state's 2004 Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond allotted for anti-pollution projects and restoration activities benefiting Narragansett Bay and state watersheds.

The $8.5 Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond Fund would provide up to 50 percent matching grants for nonpoint source water pollution abatement or riparian buffer restoration projects. A total of $7.1 million is earmarked for governmental projects to mitigate, control, or eliminate the effects of nonpoint source pollution. An additional $700,000 is earmarked for similar projects undertaken by non-governmental entities. The remaining $700,000 is for governmental and non-governmental agencies or individuals to restore riparian habitats or enhance the overall quality of riparian buffers for water quality improvement or protection.

Pending adoption of the regulations, DEM anticipates that the grant application process will commence early in calendar year 2006. A statewide announcement will be issued prior to the start of the application period.

The November 10 public hearing will take place at 9:30 a.m. in room 200C1 at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence. Copies of the proposed regulations can be obtained at DEM's Office of Water Resources by calling 222-3961 weekdays, and can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking "Programs", then "Water Resources", then "Financial Assistance".

DEM encourages the submission of written comments prior to the date of the public hearing, however, the public comment period will be kept open until 4 p.m. on November 17 to allow additional time for the submission of written comments. All written comments should be sent to Jay Manning at DEM's Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908-5767.

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