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Media Advisory RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
Governor Carcieri, Joined by Federal, State, and Local Officials,To Launch Next Phase of Major Clean-up of Bay Shoreline With New NOAA Grant, "Project Clean Sweep" Will Remove 400 Tons of Large Marine Debris from 86 Miles of Bay Shoreline Media can Travel with Governor and Dignitaries Aboard Specially Equipped Landing Craft to See Debris Removal Operation Governor Donald Carcieri and a large group of federal, state, and local officials will gather at Colt State Park in Bristol to herald the accomplishments of Project Clean Sweep, the state's unprecedented campaign to rid Narragansett Bay of large marine debris. At the event, federal officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will present a $170,000 grant to the RI Department of Environmental Management and the non-profit organization, Clean The Bay, enabling the public-private partnership to continue its work along 86 miles of Bay shoreline bordering seven Bay communities. What: State, federal, and local leaders, joined by the founding members of Clean The Bay as well as numerous volunteer groups who have participated in the clean-up program, will describe the significant progress made during the first year of Project Clean Sweep and the plans for phase two. The State will be presented with a $170,000 grant from NOAA, the second largest amount given to any state in the country for marine debris removal, to support the continuation of the program. Officials from East Greenwich, Warwick, Cranston, Providence, East Providence, Barrington, Bristol, Warren, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown will be on hand to recognize the clean-up work completed, or slated to occur, along the shorelines bordering their communities. After brief remarks, the media are invited to join the Governor, NOAA Deputy Assistant Secretary Tim Keeney and other dignitaries aboard Clean The Bay's specially equipped landing craft to travel to a nearby site and observe a debris removal operation. If you want to be aboard the vessel, please confirm by calling Gail Mastrati at DEM by Thursday, Sept. 27. Space is limited. A second boat, if needed, will be made available. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and footwear, suitable for a boat trip. Also, given the unpredictability of Bay and wind conditions, rain jackets are recommended. Where: Colt State Park, Bristol - at tent set up next to pier When: Monday, October 1, 10 a.m. - noon (rain or shine) Speaking program: 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Board vessel: 10:45 - 11 a.m. Debris removal demonstration: 11 a.m. - 12 noon Who: Governor Donald Carcieri W. Michael Sullivan, DEM Director Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary, NOAA Senator Jack Reed Congressman Patrick Kennedy Richard Brown, East Providence City Manager Ed Hughes & Alan Wentworth, Clean The Bay -30- |
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