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<p style="margin:0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">To the Port of Galilee’s Commercial Fishing Fleet and DEM’s Neighbors:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">From its origin in the mid-1900s as a cluster of fishing shacks to its status today as the 12<sup>th</sup>-highest ranked port by landings value nationwide whose products are served
around the world, Galilee is an economic and jobs powerhouse, and a working port and fact of life for hundreds of commercial fishermen, businesses that support them, and their families.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Owned by the State of Rhode Island, Galilee is run by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to support the commercial fishing industry and the web of businesses that keep
the port working. These include fish processors, engine repair companies, seafood distributors, ice producers, bait suppliers, restaurants, and many others. All told, RI’s commercial fisheries and seafood sector accounts for more than 3,100 jobs and $538
million in gross sales, according to a 2017 URI study. Counting spillover effects across all sectors of the RI economy, fisheries and seafood support more than 4,300 jobs and nearly $420 million in economic impact.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Yesterday, DEM got some great news:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> Governor Dan McKee’s proposed fiscal year 2023 budget includes $46 million from federal funds to
continue the massive work of upgrading essential infrastructure that DEM has already begun at the Port of Galilee. Currently, DEM has four projects underway in the North Bulkhead area of the port. Totaling nearly $15 million in investments, these projects
range from replacing nearly 1,000 feet of bulkhead — to replacing heavy-duty piers to asphalt repair work to electrical upgrades.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">A lot goes into keeping a port functioning efficiently. Over time, any fixed asset declines in usefulness and value because of physical deterioration, normal wear and tear, and/or accidental damage. A working
port serving 240 fishing vessels and crews and supporting a whole web of shoreside businesses, however, is far from a typical fixed asset. A port is a dynamic marine environment that is subject to tide, wind, sun, waves, salt, storms, storm surges, sea level
rise, and many other conditions and factors. Its need for scale to achieve efficiencies means that large fishing vessels are constantly coming and going. Even routine daily loading and unloading of commercial fishing vessels causes significant wear and tear
to docks and piers. Also, the work that is performed in a port is physically demanding and complex. It requires speed and a vast network of supporting infrastructure (electricity, water distribution, ice and refrigeration, wastewater discharge, septage, engine
and equipment repair, cleaning, garbage and waste collection, etc.) to unload, handle, process, store, and market fish and seafood.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The $46 million proposed by Governor McKee is extra funding that will extend the life of the Port of Galilee — and ensure it remains a vital commercial fishing port where vessels
up and down the East Coast land fresh seafood products. If approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly, this budget item will capitalize projects that confront problems related to deferred maintenance, expand far beyond the scope of current infrastructure
upgrades, and bolster Galilee against climate change and sea level rise. This funding will secure the North Bulkhead section of the port and beyond, will replace docks, update parking lot G, and will update the electrical and water infrastructure. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I’m delighted to share with you today that thanks to the Governor’s commitment, Galilee’s future looks brighter than ever. I ask that you reach out to your elected officials to urge
their support of his budget.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Thank you!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:26.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#0070C0">Daniel Costa<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">PORT MANAGER<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">Division of Coastal Resources<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">Port of Galilee<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">301 Great Island Rd.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">Narragansett, RI 02882<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">401-782-4587</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tempus Sans ITC";color:#0070C0"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:#1F4E79"><a href="mailto:Dan.Costa@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:blue">Dan.Costa@dem.ri.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:26.0pt;font-family:Chiller;color:#5B9BD5">Olivia Chatowsky<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">IMPLEMENTATION AIDE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">Division of Coastal Resources<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">Port of Galilee<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">301 Great Island Rd<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">Narragansett, RI 02882<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#5B9BD5">401-515-7406<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#4472C4"><a href="mailto:Olivia.Chatowsky@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:#4472C4">Olivia.Chatowsky@dem.ri.gov</span></a>
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