<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-BoDy-start -->
<!-- Preheader Text : BEGIN -->
<div style="display:none !important;display:none;visibility:hidden;mso-hide:all;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;height:0px;max-height:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;">
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401. 222. 4700 | www. dem. ri. gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jay Wegimont, DEM: 401-302-8316 Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 Jay. Wegimont@ dem. ri. gov
</div>
<!-- Preheader Text : END -->
<!-- Email Banner : BEGIN -->
<div style="display:none !important;display:none;visibility:hidden;mso-hide:all;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;height:0px;max-height:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;">ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart</div>
<!--[if ((ie)|(mso))]>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="padding: 16px 0px 16px 0px; direction: ltr" ><tr><td>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding: 0px 10px 5px 6px; width: 100%; border-radius:4px; border-top:4px solid #90a4ae;background-color:#D0D8DC;"><tr><td valign="top">
<table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding: 4px 8px 4px 8px">
<tr><td style="color:#000000; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-weight:bold; font-size:14px; direction: ltr">
This Message Is From an External Sender
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="color:#000000; font-weight:normal; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size:12px; direction: ltr">
This message came from outside your organization.
</td></tr>
</table>
<![if ie]><br clear="all"><![endif]>
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding: 4px 0px 4px 0px"><tr>
<td style="direction: ltr"> <a target="_blank" href="https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/KKphUJtCzQ!QaGMVaynFAsvanh60UsE2k__t3uuCefTnW85MB2AaYTj5I0fQMczpWX6-Pu2pvkXdK9HSUbX8OuEzql-AmhFOjfUTw_C2eS-WQX-AZIgFmLdBBsXvV-iDhwgR4YdKksED-1nwIjXSoPlNhzdJ-kk$" style="mso-padding-alt: 7.5px; padding: 7.5px; border-radius: 2px; border: 1.5px solid #666666; "><strong style="font-weight: normal; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height: 40px; "> Report Suspicious </strong></a> ‌ </td>
</tr></table>
</td></tr></table>
</td></tr></table>
<![endif]-->
<![if !((ie)|(mso))]>
<div dir="ltr" id="pfptBannerxj0occ6" style="all: revert !important; display:block !important; text-align: left !important; margin:16px 0px 16px 0px !important; padding:8px 16px 8px 16px !important; border-radius: 4px !important; min-width: 200px !important; background-color: #D0D8DC !important; background-color: #D0D8DC; border-top: 4px solid #90a4ae !important; border-top: 4px solid #90a4ae;">
<div id="pfptBannerxj0occ6" style="all: unset !important; float:left !important; display:block !important; margin: 0px 0px 1px 0px !important; max-width: 600px !important;">
<div id="pfptBannerxj0occ6" style="all: unset !important; display:block !important; visibility: visible !important; background-color: #D0D8DC !important; color:#000000 !important; color:#000000; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif !important; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-weight:bold !important; font-weight:bold; font-size:14px !important; line-height:18px !important; line-height:18px">
This Message Is From an External Sender
</div>
<div id="pfptBannerxj0occ6" style="all: unset !important; display:block !important; visibility: visible !important; background-color: #D0D8DC !important; color:#000000 !important; color:#000000; font-weight:normal; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif !important; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size:12px !important; line-height:18px !important; line-height:18px; margin-top:2px !important;">
This message came from outside your organization.
</div>
</div>
<div id="pfptBannerxj0occ6" style="all: unset !important; float: right !important; display: block !important; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px !important; text-align: right !important; width: fit-content !important;">
<a id="pfptBannerxj0occ6" href="https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/KKphUJtCzQ!QaGMVaynFAsvanh60UsE2k__t3uuCefTnW85MB2AaYTj5I0fQMczpWX6-Pu2pvkXdK9HSUbX8OuEzql-AmhFOjfUTw_C2eS-WQX-AZIgFmLdBBsXvV-iDhwgR4YdKksED-1nwIjXSoPlNhzdJ-kk$"
style="all: unset !important; display: inline-block !important; text-decoration: none">
<div class="pfptPrimaryButtonxj0occ6" style="display: inline-block !important; display: inline-block; visibility: visible !important; opacity: 1 !important; color: #000000 !important; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif !important; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: normal !important; text-decoration: none !important; border-radius: 2px !important; padding: 7.5px 16px !important; margin: 3px 0 3px 16px !important; white-space: nowrap !important; width: fit-content !important;
border: 1px solid #666666">
Report Suspicious
</div>
</a>
</div>
<div style="clear: both !important; display: block !important; visibility: hidden !important; line-height: 0 !important; font-size: 0.01px !important; height: 0px"> </div>
</div>
<![endif]>
<div style="display:none !important;display:none;visibility:hidden;mso-hide:all;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;height:0px;max-height:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;">ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd</div>
<!-- Email Banner : END -->
<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-BoDy-end -->
<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head><!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-HeAdEr-start -->
<style>
#pfptBannerxj0occ6 { all: revert !important; display: block !important;
visibility: visible !important; opacity: 1 !important;
background-color: #D0D8DC !important;
max-width: none !important; max-height: none !important }
.pfptPrimaryButtonxj0occ6:hover, .pfptPrimaryButtonxj0occ6:focus {
background-color: #b4c1c7 !important; }
.pfptPrimaryButtonxj0occ6:active {
background-color: #90a4ae !important; }
</style>
<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-HeAdEr-end -->
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Calibri Light";
panose-1:2 15 3 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Vani;}
@font-face
{font-family:Impact;
panose-1:2 11 8 6 3 9 2 5 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1028" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="714" style="width:535.5pt;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="115" style="width:1.2in;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image001.png@01D92676.2D6747C0" alt="DEM-logo-small"></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="599" style="width:449.1pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><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" style="text-autospace:none"><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><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><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>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><a name="_Hlk86221472"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Jay Wegimont, DEM: 401-302-8316 Thursday,
Jan. 12, 2023<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"></span><a href="mailto:Jay.Wegimont@dem.ri.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Jay.Wegimont@dem.ri.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><u><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;text-autospace:none">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">DEM PERMANENTLY PROTECTS 125 ACRES OF FORESTLAND, WITH $1.5
</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;text-autospace:none">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk86221472"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">MILLION FROM US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, IN
</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">NORTH KINGSTOWN</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter" />
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0" />
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" />
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t" />
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:221.05pt;margin-top:1.95pt;width:272.25pt;height:340.75pt;z-index:-251657216;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page' stroked="t">
<v:imagedata src="cid:image002.jpg@01D92676.2D6747C0" o:title="" croptop="1790f" cropbottom="5877f" cropleft="2895f" cropright="2806f" />
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="365" height="457" style="width:3.802in;height:4.7604in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D92678.F6315720" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announces the permanent protection of 125 acres of forested land in North Kingstown for public recreational use, including hunting. DEM received a $1.5 million grant from the US Fish and Wildlife
(USFWS) Wildlife Restoration Program to complete the purchase of the D’Ambra property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The D’Ambra property abuts a spur of Silver Spring Lake, one of the state’s premier freshwater fishing areas, in the village of Saunderstown,
between Congdon Hill and Pendar Roads. It consists of upland forest with some wetland habitat and perennial streams and contains the headwater tributaries of the Mattatuxet River.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“Forests perform many valuable ecological functions and are central to state efforts to preserve biodiversity and increase resilience to climate
change, so to be able to preserve this swath of pristine forestland and help protect the Narrow River watershed at the same time is a huge win for the public,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “DEM is grateful for the support of Rhode Island hunters and sportsmen
whose firearms and ammunition purchased in the state are taxed expressly for the purpose of funding conservation projects like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The conservation of this property will add to more than 1,100 acres of protected lands in the Narrow River Watershed and help to further protect
the water quality of the Mattatuxet and waters downstream, including Shady Lea Brook, Carr Pond, and the Narrow River. The D’Ambra property is sandwiched between two existing conservation parcels owned by the Town of North Kingstown. Together, the properties
total 224 acres of connected, protected high-value forested habitat. The site will be open to the public and hunting and fishing will be allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fws.gov/program/wildlife-restoration__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!L-q0380qfHwB3Jmh9eHrPTfx4h8XQjgFLx3XhDBteSDONlWnrZ-JNZ-0vd4RzLmuvFTuDT7hrORYX7hU_gwvKSyuJ7iZztg3dvon$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0066FF">The Federal Wildlife Restoration Program, also known
as the Pittman-Robertson Act</span> [fws.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, is a user-pay, user-benefit program that is derived from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, and arrow components, and
is apportioned to states<span style="color:black"> to support wildlife restoration and conservation programs.</span></span><span style="color:black">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The acquisition of the D’Ambra property exemplifies the success of this program in creating additional recreational opportunities for the public and conserving critical habitat.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:318.05pt;margin-top:633.45pt;width:369.25pt;height:246pt;z-index:251661312;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:margin;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:margin;mso-height-relative:margin'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image004.jpg@01D92676.2D6747C0" o:title="" />
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="492" height="328" style="width:5.125in;height:3.4166in" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D92678.F6315720" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/planning-development/land-conservation"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0066FF">State Land Conservation Program</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">purchases ecologically valuable land to enhance DEM’s management areas, parks, and forest lands. Funding for these acquisitions is made possible by State Open Space Bonds, with contributions
from municipalities, land trusts, and from various federal programs. The program works to acquire land to add to DEM’s conservation holdings – to protect state forests and open spaces for public recreational use and habitat conservation.
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Rhode Island’s wealth of historic parks, bikeways, and green spaces provide for public enjoyment, along with improving the health of the environment, strengthening climate
resilience, and supporting the economy. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Since 1985, over 20,000 acres of land have been protected. In fiscal year 2022, DEM protected 575 acres of open space and farmland while leveraging
$6.4 million from federal and local partners. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">. Follow
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!L-q0380qfHwB3Jmh9eHrPTfx4h8XQjgFLx3XhDBteSDONlWnrZ-JNZ-0vd4RzLmuvFTuDT7hrORYX7hU_gwvKSyuJ7iZzp-OnguI$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:27.45pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:10.45pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-.5pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0078FF">Jay G. Wegimont | Public Affairs Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">401-222-4700, X277-2402</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Email: </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF"><a href="mailto:jay.wegimont@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:#0066FF">jay.wegimont@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Web:</span>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/">https://dem.ri.gov/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Facebook/Twitter:
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">@RhodeIslandDEM</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="216" height="96" style="width:2.25in;height:1.0in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image006.png@01D92676.2D6747C0"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Vani",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>