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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 Monday, May 13, 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_782" src="cid:image001.png@01DAA515.4E56D260" 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"><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 Monday, May 13, 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>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM ISSUES DRAFT IMPAIRED WATERS LIST AND OPENS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, HOSTING</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">MAY 22 WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS FINDINGS OF STATEWIDE WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND TMDL PRIORITIZATION<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"><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) is soliciting comments on the state’s Impaired Waters List and
will hold a virtual public workshop on Wednesday, May 22 to review statewide water quality findings. Updates to the State’s approach to water quality restoration study prioritization will also be presented. Representatives from DEM’s
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Office of Water Resources</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
(OWR) will describe the state’s water quality assessment process, general findings of this assessment including new waterbody impairments added to the Impaired Waters List. The state’s priorities under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/Vision__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LqeTHzepgQfOl_utYEyl707mpb6-RuVS6AW2OpXYc3LV-t6V_xrxKfVFjLECBoM87SliEKd6L4vqHfBxmlKkqPM2bWmMkMpG-uK7$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Vision 2.0 Strategy</span> [epa.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
for completing the federally mandated water quality restoration studies known as total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) will also be discussed.
<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">The virtual public workshop being held on Wednesday, May 22 will present findings of the full statewide assessment of water quality conditions, including
the draft Impaired Waters List. Pre-registration is required. All participants will be muted upon joining the meeting. Following a presentation on the assessment results, DEM will receive questions via voice or chat. To ask a question following the workshop
presentation, participants should click the "Raise Hand" button on the screen or type into the chat, which will be monitored.<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"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">WHAT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> Virtual Public Workshop to Discuss Findings
of Statewide Water Quality Assessment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">WHEN:
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> Wednesday, May 22, 3:30 – 5 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">WHERE:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
Microsoft Teams Meeting: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0785c45e-1be8-423f-9e83-815ab30fd392@52ca6a54-4465-4635-bff3-65d0a8412288__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LqeTHzepgQfOl_utYEyl707mpb6-RuVS6AW2OpXYc3LV-t6V_xrxKfVFjLECBoM87SliEKd6L4vqHfBxmlKkqPM2bWmMkGdcbt0k$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0785c45e-1be8-423f-9e83-815ab30fd392@52ca6a54-4465-4635-bff3-65d0a8412288</span> [events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com]</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;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">Any individual requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the meeting should contact Colin Millar at (401) 537-4256, or the Department
via R.I. Relay 711, at least 7 business days prior to the meeting. <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">DEM’s Office of Water Resources assesses the quality of the state’s surface waters by comparing available monitoring data against the state’s established
water quality criteria to determine whether the waters are suitable for such uses as swimming, fish/shellfish consumption, and aquatic life. The results of this assessment are presented in the state’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report
(Integrated Report), which documents the overall quality of the state’s waters. It includes a five-part Integrated List which provides available information on each of the state’s lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and estuarine waters. The process of conducting
the assessment is documented in the Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology at:
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-02/calm24.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-02/calm24.pdf</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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">As part of the process, DEM identifies those surface waters that do not meet water quality criteria for which a water quality restoration study known as a
TMDL is required in accordance with the federal </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LqeTHzepgQfOl_utYEyl707mpb6-RuVS6AW2OpXYc3LV-t6V_xrxKfVFjLECBoM87SliEKd6L4vqHfBxmlKkqPM2bWmMkC3F4gee$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Clean
Water Act</span> [epa.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> (CWA). These impaired waters are placed on the state’s
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/programs/water/publications/303d.php"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">303(d) List</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
named for the CWA section that establishes the requirement (aka Category 5 List), which also establishes a schedule for development of the federally mandated studies. The draft 303(d) List is available for public comment online on DEM’s website at: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/303d24.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/303d24.pdf</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;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">For informational purposes, the full five-part draft Integrated List is also available online on DEM’s website at: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/irrc1820.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/irrc1820.pdf</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF"><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">All interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the draft 303(d) List by Monday, June 10 to Colin Millar at
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:colin.millar@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">colin.millar@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
or via mail to Colin Millar, DEM Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908.<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">The TMDL Vision framework was intended to help foster integration across 303(d) program areas and focus EPA and State efforts to advance the effectiveness
of the federal CWA Section 303(d) Program. Beginning in 2024, states and territories will begin implementation of the EPA’s 2022 – 2032 Vision for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program (referred to as “2022 Vision” or “Vision 2.0”). The draft document
for Rhode Island’s Vision 2.0 priorities is available here: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/tmdl-ri-vision.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-05/tmdl-ri-vision.pdf</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF"><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">All interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the draft Rhode Island’s TMDL Vision 2.0 Framework document by Wednesday June 10<sup>
</sup>to Jane Sawyers at </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:jane.sawyers@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">jane.sawyers@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
or via mail to Jane Sawyers, DEM Office of Water Resources, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<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!LqeTHzepgQfOl_utYEyl707mpb6-RuVS6AW2OpXYc3LV-t6V_xrxKfVFjLECBoM87SliEKd6L4vqHfBxmlKkqPM2bWmMkCJG8fgU$"><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>
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<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>
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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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