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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 Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 Evan. LaCross@ dem. ri. gov
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<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>
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<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</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> Tuesday, Nov. 21, 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 REMINDS BOATERS AND ANGLERS TO CLEAN OFF GEAR AFTER INVASIVE HYDRILLA PLANT FOUND INFESTING WORDEN POND<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="469" height="352" style="width:4.8854in;height:3.6666in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DA1D1A.194505C0" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1694058026"><![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!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHnVYhgKt$"><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 at Worden Pond in South Kingstown, the largest lake in Rhode Island and a popular recreational resource. This is the third
waterbody in Rhode Island where the noxious plant has been spotted. It was </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-announces-ris-first-detection-aquatic-invasive-plant-hydrilla-indian-lake-south"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">first
identified in Indian Lake in South Kingstown in August</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, and since then has also been documented at Lake Mishnock in West Greenwich. On Nov. 7, DEM staff visiting
the boat ramp to sample for </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/cyanobacteria-blue-green-algae"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">blue-green
algae</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> encountered the plant and immediately identified the notorious invader. Hydrilla easily multiplies from small plant fragments and is quickly spread when
contaminated boats travel to new waterbodies. DEM is again emphasizing that boaters and anglers should take responsibility to check and clean their boats and gear before and after launching their watercraft in any waterbody.<br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Fragments of hydrilla, an aggressive aquatic invasive plant, on the boat ramp at Worden Pond. As water temperatures decrease, boaters may see an increase in plant
fragments washing ashore.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
<br>
Hydrilla is often referred to as “the world’s worst invasive plant” due to its rapid growth rate and the several ways it can reproduce to outcompete native plants, creating an enormous mass of tangled stems and leaves where there was once open water. 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!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHkqcn4ix$" 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 its 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. Such overgrowth of a plant can drastically alter wildlife habitat and impede recreational activities when motorboats and swimmers have difficulty navigating through the thick plants, and fishing lines are frequently snagged
on the vegetation. Hydrilla infestation can also have negative economic impacts on communities, affecting shoreline businesses and tourism as documented by
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ccetompkins.org/environment/invasive-plants/hydrilla/about-hydrilla/economic-impacts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHgQ4pNFB$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Cornell Cooperative
Extension</span> [ccetompkins.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. Hydrilla has proven exceptionally difficult to manage, with the states of
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/104790.html__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHn2K4cuI$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">New York</span> [dec.ny.gov]</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="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ccetompkins.org/environment/invasive-plants/hydrilla/about-hydrilla/economic-impacts/florida-spends-millions-on-hydrilla-management__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHuiA-b5l$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Florida</span> [ccetompkins.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
spending over $10 million and $30 million dollars each year to control the plant, respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Although the plant will reproduce with seeds or roots, just an inch of stem with a few leaves can grow its own root system to generate a whole new plant.
These types of plant fragments easily become snagged on recreational equipment such as boat trailers, fishing line, swimming gear, or water skis. Select hydrilla fragments found by DEM staff at Worden Pond were found discarded in the parking lot of the boat
ramp, indicating boaters were taking responsibility to check and clean off their boats and gear after hauling their trailers from the water. 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 </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">.
Boaters must thoroughly clean their vessels and equipment of even the smallest attached weeds before and after accessing Rhode Island’s freshwaters to avoid spreading any invasive plants that may hitchhike to another location. With winter approaching, the
falling water temperatures have slowed hydrilla growth and the plant fragments have started to break away from the sediment before they begin to float away and die off. Therefore, boaters may see an increase in plant fragments washing ashore this time of year,
but these are generally not viable and will soon begin to decay. Regardless, late-season boaters are still encouraged to clean the plant fragments from their boats and gear to stay in the habit of practicing good boat hygiene as hydrilla plants will come back
next spring. Boaters should always follow 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!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHjSFx_Ml$" 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 to take the
</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!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHrfT-vhS$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">pledge</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"><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;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:-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:image004.jpg@01DA1C8B.4BAA6120" 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@01DA1D1A.194505C0" 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="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/benviron/water/wetlands/pdfs/invasive.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">over
112 lakes and ponds</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> in the state plagued with at least one species of invasive plant, and at least one invasive plant type has been recorded in 29 river segments,
with some have more than one invasive plant species. 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">,<span style="color:#0066FF">
</span>which also spreads through plant fragments<span style="color:black">. While only these two species are widespread in the state, most of the other invasive plant 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 dispose of all plants in the trash or compost far from the water. The most efficient and cost-effective management strategy to control hydrilla is to prevent the plants from moving to, and becoming established in a waterbody, and clean boats are a first
line of defense. 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><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!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHsstzlAG$" 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" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">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!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHnVYhgKt$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">here</span> [ccetompkins.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. <br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">By encouraging boaters to check their boats and gear, DEM hopes to curb the spread of these plants from one lake to the next.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!Nk6argFJtVPPsSz66nDaRq00zp06N9n2hmZZHen8cgjAjwEy7VfxVk_ftBbX8vYTIDfNEy0fDQqcASWFqooQRDV4JuDUHrlDnL8i$"><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>
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