RI Department of Environmental Management

AIR QUALITY ALERT - HEALTH ADVISORY - September 2

DEM is predicting that air quality will reach unhealthy levels, in all of Rhode Island in the mid to late afternoon on Thursday. All regular RIPTA buses and trolleys, but excluding special services, will be free on Thursday, September 2, 2010. (More info)

DEM: August 31 West Nile/Eee Status Update

DEM advise all Rhode Islanders that a pool of mosquitoes from a mosquito-trapping site in Westerly has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). This is the first mosquito pool this summer to test positive for EEE. To date there have been no mosquito pools in Rhode Island that have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). In Massachusetts, there have been two reported human cases of EEE after multiple mosquito pools tested positive for EEE. In eastern Connecticut, there were also mosquito pools that tested positive for EEE. (More info)

DEM, Health Issue Advisory for Melville Pond

For the second time this week, the Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health (HEALTH) are advising people to avoid recreational activities in waters affected by blue-green algae blooms. Melville Pond in Portsmouth is added to the list of waters including the Ten Mile River, Central Pond, Turner Reservoir, and Omega Pond in East Providence that are experiencing the algal blooms which may form naturally occurring algal toxins. People should avoid recreational activities such as swimming, boating, or fishing in these areas until further notice. Pets can also be affected by exposure to the algal toxins and thus owners should not allow pets to drink this water or swim in the water. In addition, people should not drink water or eat fish from any of these areas. (More info)

DEM to Hold Public Hearings in October on License Applications for Three Solid Waste Management Facilities

DEM will hold public hearings on license applications for three solid waste management facilities in October. DEM has issued Notices of Intent to Issue licenses for the facilities, which include Phase VI of the RI Resource Recovery Corporation's Central Landfill at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston; TLA Pond View located at One Dexter Road in East Providence; and JR Vinagro Corporation at 116 Shun Pike in Johnston. (More info)

Northeast Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project to Look for Signs of Asian Longhorned Beetle in City of Providence

Through a cooperative effort with the USDA and Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), DEM is coordinating a comprehensive outreach and detection program for the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) in the City of Providence. (More info)

DEM Announces 2010-2011 Hunting Regulations

DEM announces the hunting regulations for the 2010-2011 seasons. There are several changes this year regarding deer hunting and the development of deer management zones. (More info)

DEM, State and Local Officials Celebrate Grand Opening of New Mount Hope Boat Launch in Bristol

DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, PhD joined state and local officials at a grand opening event in Bristol for the Mount Hope boat launch improvement project. (More info)

DEM Files New Emergency Regulations Governing the Harvest of Soft-Shell Clams

DEM today filed new emergency regulations with the Secretary of State, and at the same time rescinded emergency regulations that were filed last week, related to the harvest of soft-shell clams from the newly opened shellfishing area near Conimicut Point. (More info)

Summertime Reminder for RI Saltwater Recreational Fishermen: Bait, Tackle, Register!

According to new state and federal laws, Rhode Island saltwater recreational fishermen are now required to either purchase a State Recreational Fishing License OR to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry before they drop their line in the water this year. (More info)

DEM: Campers and Other Vacationers Should Use Only Local Firewood to Prevent Import of Invasive Wood-Boring Insects

As campers and other vacationers prepare for their upcoming getaways, DEM is urging them to refrain from transporting firewood to and from other areas, and to use, instead, only local firewood at their campsites and summer cottages. (More info)

DEM Files Public Notice to Amend Regulations to Implement RI Public Laws 0198 and 0199 Extending Certain Permits Related to Land Development