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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To Interested Persons:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wanted to share that the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) has issued a public notice and is accepting comment through January 2<span style="color:#1F497D">5</span>,<sup>
</sup>2017 on proposed changes in its regulations that govern the financial assistance program known as the Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Fund. This established fund provides financial assistance on a competitive basis in the form of grants for
various projects that protect and restore water quality and aquatic habitats. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The proposed rule changes, which are limited in scope, are necessary to support the future award of grant assistance to a new category of projects related to flood prevention. Once formally promulgated, the RIDEM will move forward with
a Request for Proposals for such projects using up to $3 million in available funds from the Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities Bond approved by voters in the November 2014. All municipalities will be notified when the RFP is issued sometime
later in the spring of 2017.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your convenience, the draft rules and notice are attached. As described in the notice, a public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 10<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have any questions on this matter, please feel free to contact myself or Jay Manning in the RIDEM Office of Water Resources. Jay can be reached at
<a href="mailto:manning.jay@dem.ri.gov">manning.jay@dem.ri.gov</a> or 401-222-4700 ext 7254.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cordially, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sue Kiernan, Deputy Chief<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Office of Water Resources<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Sue.kiernan@dem.ri.gov">Sue.kiernan@dem.ri.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">401-222-4700 ext 7600<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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