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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 Friday, March 22, 2024 Dem. communications@ dem. ri. gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01DA7C65.28A69D80" alt="DEM-logo-small"></span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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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 Friday, March 22, 2024<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:Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">
</span></u><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>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM ANNOUNCES THAT THE WESTERN SIDE OF BRISTOL HARBOR
<br>
REOPENS TO SHELLFISHING TOMORROW, MARCH 23 AT SUNRISE</span></b><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="426" height="381" style="width:4.4375in;height:3.9687in" src="cid:image003.png@01DA7C66.3193D010" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI –<span style="color:black"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
</span>is announcing that a 458-acre portion of the western side of Bristol Harbor, that had been
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/sewage-spill-closes-western-side-bristol-harbor-shellfishing"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">closed to shellfishing
since March 9 due to a sewage spill</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, will be reopening to shellfish harvest at sunrise tomorrow on Saturday, March 23, 2024. This includes the reopening of seasonal shellfish
area Growing Area (GA) 3-2 and the reopening of previously closed water north of a line extending from the southernmost tip of Usher Point in Bristol to the northernmost tip of Hog Island.
<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"><a name="_Hlk162006872"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The spill occurred on March 7<sup>
</sup>due to intense rainfall in combination with flow restrictions in the </span>
</a><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bristolnh.gov/water-sewer/bulletins/bristol-water-sewer-treatment-facility__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JbAZMZH5uDjfAFWUqlja3J7Dfu2ZBKuI98TNuUCbSjZqjnaoaM88DD0dPBKVZRLJ407WCftgYQbtS7L8O0TgmGCkt5WxsKTTDHYq$"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk162006872"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Bristol Wastewater Treatment Facility</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk162006872"></span> [bristolnh.gov]</a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk162006872"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">’s
main pump station which resulted in an overflow </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">of approximately 180,000 gallons of untreated wastewater that ultimately discharged into Bristol Harbor. The emergency shellfish
closure was necessary to provide adequate dilution volume and time for shellfish in the area to depurate or cleanse pollutants that may have been discharged into Bristol Harbor.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Water samples collected on March 13<sup>
</sup>and shellfish samples collected on March 19<sup> </sup>met </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fda.gov/food/federalstate-food-programs/national-shellfish-sanitation-program-nssp__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JbAZMZH5uDjfAFWUqlja3J7Dfu2ZBKuI98TNuUCbSjZqjnaoaM88DD0dPBKVZRLJ407WCftgYQbtS7L8O0TgmGCkt5WxsPbEbl1r$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards</span> [fda.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, indicating that the area has returned to acceptable water quality for safe shellfish harvest. DEM expresses its gratitude
to shellfisherman John McDonald for collecting the shellfish samples that were analyzed in support of reopening the area to shellfishing.
<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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM, the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://health.ri.gov/programs/detail.php?pgm_id=164"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Rhode Island Department of Health</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
(RIDOH), and the </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.crmc.ri.gov/aquaculture.html"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">RI Coastal Resources Management Council</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
(CRMC), along with industry partners, collaborate to ensure that shellfish grown and harvested from Rhode Island waters continues to be a quality safe seafood product to be enjoyed by all consumers. This is achieved by diligent monitoring of shellfish harvesting
waters to protect public health. This monitoring enables a quick response when conditions indicate a change in water quality due to natural events such as
</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">algae
blooms</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> or unusual weather events.<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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on the shellfish harvesting classifications, review the annual notice available at
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/shellfish"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">RIDEM - Shellfish</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
An </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=110a7a4aec914a3492117e9848fe67da__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JbAZMZH5uDjfAFWUqlja3J7Dfu2ZBKuI98TNuUCbSjZqjnaoaM88DD0dPBKVZRLJ407WCftgYQbtS7L8O0TgmGCkt5WxsKp4sv13$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">interactive
shellfishing map </span> [ridemgis.maps.arcgis.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">is also available.<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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For information on emergency and conditional area water quality related shellfish closures, call DEM’s 24-hour shell fishing hotline at 401-222-2900, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/shellfish"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov/shellfish</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
or sign up for the Office of Water Resources' listserv here: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:RishellfishOWR-subscribe@listserve.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">RishellfishOWR-subscribe@listserve.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;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For information about DEM programs and services, 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 us on Facebook at </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JbAZMZH5uDjfAFWUqlja3J7Dfu2ZBKuI98TNuUCbSjZqjnaoaM88DD0dPBKVZRLJ407WCftgYQbtS7L8O0TgmGCkt5WxsLxI6d6Q$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.<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>
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<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
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<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:image004.jpg@01DA7C65.28A69D80" alt="Logo
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