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<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; background-color: ;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; color:red">ANNOUNCEMENT</span></b><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; background-color: ;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">:
Freshwater Wetlands Rule Hearing Postponed</span></b><br>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">Due to the storm forecast and the potential for power outages,
<b>DEM is postponing the Public Hearings</b> for the proposed adoption and repeal of the DEM Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration of the Freshwater Wetlands Act scheduled for December 17, 2020.
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">DEM is in the process of establishing a new date for the Public Hearings in the first week of January 2021. Additional information will be forthcoming.
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">I am also writing to inform you that the Public Notice periods have been extended by two weeks. The public comments will now be accepted through 4:00 pm on Friday, January 22, 2021<b>.</b> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">Additional information about the rulemaking is available on the RIDEM website at:</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/water/permits/pn-wetland.php"><span style="color:blue">Public Notice – Draft Wetland Rulemaking – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</span></a>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">If you have any questions on the process, please feel free to contact:</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sue Kiernan, Deputy Administrator</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">RI DEM Office of Water Resources</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt">401-222-4700, ext. 7600</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="mailto:sue.kiernan@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:blue">sue.kiernan@dem.ri.gov</span></a>.
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