<!-- 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: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Friday, September 7, 2023 Evan. LaCross@ 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!QaGMVaynFAsvanh60UsE1LfqZdunp_ZC1Yr_LPiRJrjhpyHvc6ZYQejfl8ueZWyxCLw5fnuhm6OfnZlmPV0_qcdsqEFzEsCFxsJqiWxW1PCaj2WT7vXoakjKRc6FiMXHYvXAHxm3d4VsBWRNN_DE$" 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="pfptBannersm4va4a" 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="pfptBannersm4va4a" style="all: unset !important; float:left !important; display:block !important; margin: 0px 0px 1px 0px !important; max-width: 600px !important;">
<div id="pfptBannersm4va4a" 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="pfptBannersm4va4a" 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="pfptBannersm4va4a" 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="pfptBannersm4va4a" href="https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/KKphUJtCzQ!QaGMVaynFAsvanh60UsE1LfqZdunp_ZC1Yr_LPiRJrjhpyHvc6ZYQejfl8ueZWyxCLw5fnuhm6OfnZlmPV0_qcdsqEFzEsCFxsJqiWxW1PCaj2WT7vXoakjKRc6FiMXHYvXAHxm3d4VsBWRNN_DE$"
style="all: unset !important; display: inline-block !important; text-decoration: none">
<div class="pfptPrimaryButtonsm4va4a" 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>
#pfptBannersm4va4a { all: revert !important; display: block !important;
visibility: visible !important; opacity: 1 !important;
background-color: #D0D8DC !important;
max-width: none !important; max-height: none !important }
.pfptPrimaryButtonsm4va4a:hover, .pfptPrimaryButtonsm4va4a:focus {
background-color: #b4c1c7 !important; }
.pfptPrimaryButtonsm4va4a:active {
background-color: #90a4ae !important; }
</style>
<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-HeAdEr-end -->
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<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:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@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"><span style="color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_782" src="cid:image001.png@01D9E24B.A404C1A0" alt="DEM-logo-small"></span><span style="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"><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><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Friday, September 7, 2023<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Evan.LaCross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM ANNOUNCES RI’S FIRST DETECTION OF AQUATIC INVASIVE
<br>
PLANT HYDRILLA IN INDIAN LAKE, SOUTH KINGSTOWN<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><!--[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:253.55pt;margin-top:.5pt;width:304.75pt;height:228.5pt;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'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image002.jpg@01D9E24B.A404C1A0" o:title="" />
<w:wrap type="tight" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="406" height="305" style="width:4.2291in;height:3.177in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D9E24D.FA693BA0" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI –<span style="color:black"> The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that the highly aggressive invasive plant,
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ccetompkins.org/environment/aquatic-invasives/hydrilla/about-hydrilla/how-to-identify-hydrilla__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86woLKXuD$"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Hydrilla
verticillata</span></i> [ccetompkins.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, has been found for the first time in Rhode Island, in Indian Lake in South Kingstown. As part of
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/research-monitoring/aquatic-invasive-species-1"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM’s
annual monitoring program</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> to identify invasive plants throughout RI,
<a name="_Hlk144991298">hydrilla<i> </i></a>was found during an Aug. 9 survey of the lake. Hydrilla is referred to as “the perfect aquatic weed” because it is difficult to manage – having several successful modes of reproduction, tolerating a wide range of
pH, salinity, and light conditions, and a rapid, aggressive growth rate. According to
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects-Topics/Connecticut-River-Hydrilla/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86zw0n1go$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers research</span> [nae.usace.army.mil]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, during the first week of growth hydrilla can grow almost three inches per day, but by the fifth week it can grow 191 inches per
day due to exponential branching. <br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Aquatic invasive plants like hydrilla can outgrow native species, reduce biodiversity, alter fish habitats, degrade water quality, and disrupt recreational activities.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ctriver.org/get-involved/stopping-an-invasive-species-water-chestnut-2/hyrilla-in-the-ct-river-watershed/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86z3C4bXs$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Hydrilla
in the nearby Connecticut River has taken over 1000 acres of the river</span> [ctriver.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, crowding out boaters and anglers who can no longer access boats and docks due to the
overgrowth of weeds. Control costs are expensive and hydrilla causes significant economic and ecological damage
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ccetompkins.org/environment/invasive-nuisance-species/aquatic-invasives/hydrilla__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx863DI5KnS$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">across
the US</span> [ccetompkins.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. The plant easily multiplies from small plant fragments and is quickly spread when contaminated boats travel to new waterbodies. DEM is emphasizing that
boaters should take responsibility to check and clean their boats and gear before and after launching their watercraft in any waterbody.
<br>
<br>
Aquatic weed infestation is a nuisance to anglers, boaters, and swimmers and can affect proper management of freshwater ponds for wildlife. To help control the spread of invasive species, the use of external felt-soled or any natural or synthetic porous material
capable of absorbing water in any freshwaters in Rhode Island is strictly </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-60-00-10"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">prohibited</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.
This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island fishing regulations apply. The transport of any plant or plant part into or out of any Rhode Island waterbody on boats, vessels, other water conveyances, vehicles, trailers, fishing
supplies, or any other equipment is also </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-60-00-10"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">prohibited</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.
It is recommended that all boaters thoroughly clean their vessels and equipment of attached weeds before and after using the freshwaters of the state. For more information on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/water/quality/surface-water/invade.php"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">click here</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:204.3pt;margin-top:.4pt;width:255.5pt;height:191.15pt;z-index:-251656192;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'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image004.jpg@01D9E24B.A404C1A0" o:title="" />
<w:wrap type="tight" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="341" height="255" style="width:3.552in;height:2.6562in" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D9E24D.FA693BA0" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Aquatic
invasive plants are one of the largest causes of impairment in freshwater lakes in RI. Currently there are
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/wetlands/pdfs/invasive.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">over 110 lakes and
ponds</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> in the state with at least one species of invasive plant, and at least one invasive plant type has been recorded in 28 river segments. DEM has documented
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/surfwq/pdfs/aisridist.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">14 other different
aquatic invasive plant species</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, the most common being
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/surfwq/pdfs/myrhet.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">variable milfoil</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
and </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/surfwq/pdfs/cabcar.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">fanwort</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. While
only these two species are widespread in the state, most of the 15 species are only found in a handful of lakes and boaters must prevent moving these plants on boats and trailers to avoid their spread to new locations. Boaters should check their boat, trailer,
motor, lines and other gear for plants, and remove any plant material before traveling. Do not put any plant material removed from vessels into any waterbody but instead dispose of all plants in the trash or compost far from the water. Before heading to a
waterbody, boaters should check if invasive plants have been documented at that location using either DEM’s static map and list of waterbodies by town available
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/wetlands/pdfs/invasive.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">online here</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
or the interactive map on DEM’s </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://ridemgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=87e104c8adb449eb9f905e5f18020de5__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86yBTA6SK$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">environmental
resource map</span> [ridemgis.maps.arcgis.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> under the “Freshwater Aquatic Invasive Plants” layer. Boaters are encouraged to report suspected findings of hydrilla by emailing photos and location
details to </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:katie.degoosh@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">katie.degoosh@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. Resources
to identify the fragile plant can be found </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ccetompkins.org/environment/aquatic-invasives/hydrilla/about-hydrilla/how-to-identify-hydrilla__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86woLKXuD$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">here</span> [ccetompkins.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. <br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">By encouraging boaters to check their boats and gear, DEM hopes to curb the spread of these plants from one lake to the next.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Aquatic invasive plants can outcompete native plant species and upset the healthy balance of plants and animals. These aggressive plants change fish and wildlife
habitats, disrupt local food webs and may degrade water quality. Large patches of plants can interfere with recreational activities, making boating, swimming and fishing difficult in these areas. The most efficient and cost-effective management strategy is
to prevent the plants from moving to, and becoming established in a waterbody, and clean boats are a first line of defense.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-09/great-boater-poster.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">A 2013 study in Rhode Island</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
found up to 38% of boats observed at a freshwater ramp had some type of vegetation attached. Boaters are encouraged to stop aquatic hitch hikers by following the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/prevention/*clean-drain-dry__;Iw!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86yYnALKo$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">CLEAN DRAIN DRY</span> [stopaquatichitchhikers.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
approach described below, and can take a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/activities/*pledge__;Iw!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx865OFf7MH$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">pledge
online</span> [stopaquatichitchhikers.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> to help protect the waterbodies where they recreate by taking the following actions: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">-
<b>CLEAN</b>: Remove all visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment before leaving water access.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">- DRAIN</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> motor, bilge, livewell, and other water containing
devices before leaving water access. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">- DRY</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> everything for at least 24 hours OR wipe with a towel
before reuse. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">- DISPOSE </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">of unwanted bait, worms,
and fish parts in the trash. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;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-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx86201INJB$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;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" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#004678;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">(E);
</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
(W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Follow DEM on
</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx864vV8-bJ$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
</span><span style="color:#00B0F0">on</span> </i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx865us07g7$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060">Instagram</span></i> [instagram.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
<span style="color:#00B0F0">and</span> <i><span style="color:#0096D2">on </span></i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KS2w0207S8_qk_lJ0SLhYsL4mQBB4el3Q9PqunkOzOhbNErbo6PHjT9c-p8kAr09slqV365AZt7r6P_OQ5CX747iMlx861E4FEYr$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Twitter</span></i> [twitter.com]</a></span><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">.</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%"><img border="0" width="152" height="76" style="width:1.5833in;height:.7916in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D9E24B.A404C1A0" alt="Logo
Description automatically generated"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>