Tag: DEM

Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) Stakeholder Meeting

Come join us for the 2015 SMP stakeholder meeting

 Please join us for a Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) Stakeholder Meeting
Thursday, June 25th, 2015, 5:00-7:00pm
Corless Auditorium, URI Bay Campus (map attached)

Want to learn how to safely shuck a clam and oyster?

Interested in growing oysters at your dock?

Wondering how you can go clamming with an expert this summer?

All this info and more at our next SMP stakeholder meeting!

Come hear progress since the launch of the SMP in November, including work on implementing the SMP recommendations, more shellfish research money available for 2016, clamming classes hosted by DEM, what you need to know/do to keep your shellfish safe for consumption, and a feature presentation on the ins and outs of shellfish restoration in Rhode Island. As a special treat, learn from a long-time quahogger how to properly shuck shellfish – Live demo and tasting included! We will also hear a URI students thesis results

Fruit, cookies, and beverages will be provided. Please rsvp to smp@etal.uri.edu. Feel free to call Azure at (401)874-6197 if you have any questions/concerns.

 

 

DEM ANNOUNCES THE RE-OPENING OF SHELLFISH WATERS IN BRISTOL HARBOR

News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771   www.dem.ri.gov

For Release:  March 18, 2015
Contact: Town of Bristol: Jose DaSilva, 401-253-8877
DEM: Gail Mastrati 401-222-4700 Ext. 2402; or
Cindy Hannus, 401-222-4700 Ext. 7241

 

DEM ANNOUNCES THE RE-OPENING OF SHELLFISH WATERS IN BRISTOL HARBOR BEGINNING AT SUNRISE THURSDAY, MARCH 19

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management has announced that the waters of Bristol Harbor and waters in the vicinity of Hog Island that were closed to shellfishing due to a failure in the disinfection system at the Bristol Wastewater Treatment Plant are scheduled to re-open at sunrise Thursday, March 19.

Specifically, waters North and East of a line from the southern tip of Poppasquash Point, Bristol to Southwest Point on Hog Island and from the southwest point of Hog Island to the southwestern extremity of Arnold Point in Portsmouth, where a DEM range marker has been established. Those waters classified as Prohibited in the area in accordance with RIDEM’s May 2014 -2015 shellfish closure map remain closed to shellfishing.  Aquaculturists in the areas that will reopen on March 19 can resume normal operations of their leases at sunrise tomorrow.

The DEM collected water samples to test for fecal coliform bacteria in response to this emergency closure with the Bristol Harbor Master on Tuesday, March17.  Results from the Rhode Island Department of Health’s laboratory analysis indicate that these waters are now suitable for the harvesting of shellfish.

A DEM investigation of the failure is continuing. The facility is currently operating normally.

For more information on the plant failure, contact Bristol Wastewater Treatment Facility superintendent Jose DaSilva at 401-253-8877.

For more information about the shellfish closure, contact Joseph Migliore in DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 extension 7258.

DEM maintains a 24-hour shellfishing hotline with recorded updated information on shellfish closure areas.  That number is 222-2900.   

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Notice of Public Meeting 10-29-14

Shared on behalf of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Agriculture

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Division of Agriculture
Notice of Public Meeting – Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 3:30 PM

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing regarding the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Small Grants and Technical Assistance Program will be held in Room 300 of the RI Department of Environmental Management, at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

The purpose of this hearing is to accomplish the purposes of RIGL 2-25-8 which requires the Department to annually schedule and conduct one or more public meetings to solicit input from the general public on whether the program is meeting its intended purposes, and to solicit recommendations for modifying the program.

AGENDA:

  • General overview of the program (Ken Ayars, DEM)
  • Grant round #1 overview (Leo Pollock, RI Food Policy Council)
  • Group breakouts:
  1. Discussion relative to 2015 round #2 priorities
  2. Discussion relative to outreach strategy for 2015 round #2
  • Wrap up & next steps (Ken Ayars & Leo Pollock)

Written comments are welcome and may be emailed to LASA@dem.ri.gov or mailed to/dropped off at the Division of Agriculture office at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 until Wednesday, November 12th at 4:00 pm. Email submissions are strongly preferred. All oral and written comments will be considered in the same manner.

NOTES: If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Ken Ayars, Chief, Division of Agriculture, 222-2781 ext. 4500, ken.ayars@dem.ri.gov, or Nicole Pollock, Assistant to the Director, 222-4700 ext. 2038, nicole.pollock@dem.ri.gov.

The meeting location is accessible to handicapped persons. If you require interpreter services for the hearing impaired, please request by contacting TDD number 222-1205 or #711 (R.I. Relay), at least 3 days in advance of the meeting.

RIDEM: “Rules and Regulations Governing the Rhode Island Seafood Brand and the Mislabeling of Marine Species”

Attached please find proposed “Rules and Regulations Governing the Rhode Island Seafood Brand and the Mislabeling of Marine Species” and a public hearing notice for August 27, 2013, 6 pm, at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Corliss Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI. Kindly distribute within the Rhode Island fishing community. Written comments may be submitted concerning the regulations proposed for promulgation to the Division of Agriculture, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI by 12:00 pm on August 27, 2013. There will be an informal question and answer period immediately following the public hearing at Corliss Auditorium on August 27th, and you may discuss informally with DEM in advance of the public hearing by contacting Ken Ayars, Chief, Division of Agriculture (222-2781 ext. 4500, ken.ayars@dem.ri.gov), Pete Susi, Deputy Chief, Division of Agriculture (222-2781 ext. 4517, peter.susi@dem.ri.gov), or Robert Ballou, Assistant to the Director (222-4700 ext. 4420, robert.ballou@dem.ri.gov).   

A copy of the proposed regulations can be requested by mail or are available at the Division of Agriculture, RIDEM, located at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908. Electronic copies of the proposed regulations are available on the DEM website at the following web address: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/agricult/pdf/cfoodpn.pdf. The RI Seafood Brand to which the regulations pertain is attached, please be advised this brand has been trademarked by DEM.

A point of clarification regarding the proposed regulations:  the monetary penalties in Section 8.00(1) pertain only to violations of Section 7.00 regarding the mislabeling of marine species. The penalty proposed for any person improperly using the seafood logo or brand is limited to the suspension or revocation of the authorization or right to use the brand.

Ken Ayars, Chief
Division of Agriculture, RIDEM

To view or download: DEM Proposed Regulations.