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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 27, 2006 |
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Contact: |
Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418 |
DEM AWARDS $153,925 IN GRANTS FOR RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECTS
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces the award of $153,925 in state bond fund grants for eight projects that will restore riparian buffers to improve water quality for Narragansett Bay and its watersheds. The funds come from the $70 million Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond, first proposed by Governor Carcieri, that was approved by voters in 2004.
A riparian buffer is an area of natural vegetation adjacent to rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands that forms a transition from upland to water. These areas serve as natural filters, removing sediment and pollutants from water making its way through the watershed. They also provide unique habitat for many species of wildlife.
"We've made progress in improving the health of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island's watersheds, and restoring our riparian buffers are important ways to continue moving forward with these improvements," Governor Carcieri said. "Because Rhode Island voters overwhelmingly approved our environmental bond in 2004, we are able to fund these planting projects around the state to preserve and enhance our natural resources."
The grants pay up to 50 percent of project costs. Funding for the grants is provided through the Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond Fund, which is 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. In early 2007, DEM will announce the availability of an additional $550,000 in state bond funds for riparian buffer restoration projects.
Over the past three years, Governor Carcieri has spearheaded efforts to improve Rhode Island's environment on a number of fronts, including cleaning up Narragansett Bay, preserving open space, safeguarding drinking water supplies, mitigating hazardous and solid waste, and promoting the redevelopment of brownfields. Funds from Governor Carcieri's $70 million environmental bond have enabled the state and local communities to improve point-source and non-point-source pollution abatement projects and preserve open space.
The eight funded projects target both rural and urban watersheds, and help to promote brownfield restoration. The grantees and communities are as follows:
- CHARLESTOWN: The Narragansett Indian Tribe will remove invasive plants and restore the site with black ash and sweet grass, which are used by the Tribe for basket making and ceremonies. The project involves seven acres and 1,500 feet along Indian Cedar Brook, and is expected to begin in spring 2007.
| Grantee: Narragansett Indian Tribe |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $30,000 |
| Contact: Dinalyn Spears, 364-1100, ext. 210 |
Project: Cedar Swamp |
- MIDDLETOWN: The Town of Middletown will remove invasive plants and establish trees, shrubs, and native grasses along Baily Brook.
| Grantee: Town of Middletown |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $20,000 |
| Contact: Samantha Hogan, 849-4027 |
Project: Bailey Brook |
- PROVIDENCE: The Woonasquatucket Watershed Council will plant trees close to the Woonasquatucket River and establish grass near the Blackstone Bikeway, which passes through this brownfields site. The plantings will be completed this fall.
| Grantee: Woonasquatucket Watershed Council |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $11,00 |
| Contact: Jenny Perreira, 861-9046 |
Project: Lincoln Lace & Braid |
- PROVIDENCE: The Woonasquatucket Watershed Council will restore a 625-foot long buffer along the Woonasquatucket River in Olneyville by planting willow trees and low-growing shrubs along the riverbank. The plantings will be completed this fall.
| Grantee: Woonasquatucket Watershed Council |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $3,500 |
| Contact: Jenny Perreira, 861-9046 |
Project: Manton Avenue |
- SMITHFIELD: The Town of Smithfield will restore a streambank in an abandoned gravel pit in Deerfield Park by revegetating the river bank and planting a zone of trees adjacent to the stream and establishing native grasses around the perimeter of the site to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
| Grantee: Town of Smithfield |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $60,000 |
| Contact: Fred Presley, 233-1017 |
Project: Deerfield Park |
- SMITHFIELD: The Woonasquatucket Watershed Council will establish trees and shrubs on property located along a stream that leads to the Woonasquatucket River.
| Grantee: Woonasquatucket Watershed Council |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $11,000 |
| Contact: Jenny Perreira, 861-9046 |
Project: Stillwater River |
- WESTERLY: The Westerly Land Trust will remove phragmites, and invasive plant, and reestablish native plants in an area along the Pawcatuck River.
| Grantee: Westerly Land Trust |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $10,000 |
| Contact: Harvey Perry, 348-1269 |
Project: Grills Preserve |
- WEST WARWICK: The Town of West Warwick will plant shrubs and grass along the bank of the Pawtuxet River, adjacent to the proposed river walk near West Warwick High School.
| Grantee: Town of West Warwick |
Riparian Buffer Grant: $8,425 |
Contact: Wolfgang Bauer, 822-9200 or
Guy Lefebvre, 921-4549 |
Project: South Royal Mills |
For more information on the grants or the riparian buffer restoration program, call Gregg J. Cassidy, senior environmental planner in DEM's Sustainable Watersheds Office, at 222-4700 ext. 4403.
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