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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D76688.BCFF1CA0" alt="DEM-logo-small"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Gail Mastrati, 401-255-6144<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Monday, June 21, 2021
</span><a href="mailto:gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
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<h3><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;text-decoration:none">DEM’S SEASONAL
<i>BAY LINE</i> NOW OPEN<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="422" height="281" style="width:4.3958in;height:2.927in" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D766A1.DB201680" align="left" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE
- The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that its seasonal 24-hour
<em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Line</span></em> telephone information line is now open.<b><i>
</i></b>The <em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Line</span></em> number, 222-8888, is toll-free within the state.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Line</span></em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> provides Rhode Islanders with a central telephone number to leave a recorded message
about any sign of Bay-related environmental problems throughout the summer season for appropriate follow-up.
<span style="color:black;background:white">Its aim is rapid, effective response to environmental incidents on Narragansett Bay.</span><span style="color:black">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Reports of
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/emergencyresponse/bart/latest.php"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay water quality conditions</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> are updated weekly and<em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
available at </span></em></span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/emergencyresponse/bart/latest.php"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">. The information is compiled
from data provided by a network of monitoring stations in the Bay that monitor oxygen, temperature, salinity, pH levels, and, in some cases, water clarity and the presence of algae blooms. The Department, in cooperation with the University of Rhode Island,
has completed the seasonal deployment of monitoring instruments and posts water quality reports on a weekly basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoHeader"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The intent of
<em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Line</span></em> is to provide an effective means for exchanging Bay-related information between the public and the agencies charged with monitoring and protecting the Bay. For instance, the line
can be used to provide DEM with early warnings about emerging issues, such as algae blooms, that might serve as precursors to low oxygen events and fish kills.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoHeader"><em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Line</span></em><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> is an integral part of a series of initiatives undertaken by DEM to protect Narragansett Bay. A related initiative
is the </span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/emergencyresponse/bart/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Assessment and Response Team (BART)</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, which is designed to
facilitate timely and well-coordinated responses to any major Bay-related environmental emergency. BART includes professional staff from DEM, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the University of Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders can find a great deal of
Bay-related information, provided by the BART program on DEM’s website, </span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">. The weekly
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/emergencyresponse/bart/latest.php"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Bay Line reports</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> can also be found at that location.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and services, visit
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!diGlgmTyeuyWYO03Uvj9ARuXStJhZVdfNsJiSSyPnoO6EDafZ4TgRIvmTqs-PmgvEa4lDlVo$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM</span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> for more information on boating in Rhode Island as well
as other timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">-30-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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