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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: December 28, 2006
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM CLASSIFIES WESTERLY TIDAL POND NOT KNOWN AS A PRIME SHELLFISH HARVESTING AREA AS OFF-LIMITS TO SHELLFISHING IN FUTURE

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that a 6.2-acre tidal pond just east of Weekapaug Road in the Winnapaug Pond area of Westerly will be closed to shellfishing effective at sunrise on Wednesday, January 3.

Data collected during a sanitary shoreline survey of the unnamed pond has shown that fecal coliform bacteria levels are above the National Shellfish Sanitation Program safe shellfish standard. While it is not known to be a prime shellfishing area, the Department is classifying the area as prohibited for harvesting of shellfish and will investigate potential sources. The pond is surrounded by fields.

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