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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, May 27, 2025 DEM. communications@ dem. ri. gov</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_782" src="cid:image001.png@01DBCEE1.4DBCBDA0" alt="DEM-logo-small"></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none"><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;mso-ligatures:none">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;mso-ligatures:none">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-ligatures:none">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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;mso-ligatures:none">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A;mso-ligatures:none">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none"><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;mso-ligatures:none">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">
<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;mso-ligatures:none">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Tuesday, May 27, 2025<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;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:DEM.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">COMBATING INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANTS – NEW BOAT CLEANING STATION AT WORDEN POND
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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RI –<span style="color:black"> The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that the Town of South Kingstown has installed a boat cleaning station at the Worden Pond boat ramp. The system is a self-service unit that is free to the
public throughout boating season. The unit enables boaters to </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV3Y4AV4zzA__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94L-Ujdske$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">properly
clear off fragments of invasive aquatic plants</span> [youtube.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> that easily hitchhike on boats and gear and spread to other waterbodies.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="Caption1"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext">The solar-powered boat cleaning station stands to remind boaters to clean off their boats and provides compressed air to dry gear, a wet-vacuum to remove water and
plants, and tethered tools available to reach difficult spaces under boat trailers.
</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">The invasive plant</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">
<a href="https://dem.ri.gov/hydrilla"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">Hydrilla verticillata</span></i></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> was
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://riparks.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-reminds-boaters-and-anglers-clean-gear-after-invasive-hydrilla-plant-found"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">detected
in Worden Pond in 2023</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> and is a significant threat to boating, recreation, native plants, and wildlife in the pond while other waterbodies
in Rhode Island are at high risk. The plant is easily transported and can grow from just one small plant fragment.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2025-04/worden-pond-invasive-plant-survey-report-2024.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">A
2024 study</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> estimated that over 150 acres (or 14%) of the 1,094-acre lake was covered by invasive hydrilla in June.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Encouraging boaters to clean their boats at the boat launch can reduce the chance of its spread to other waterbodies in RI. The boat cleaning
station was purchased using a $35,000 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.epa.gov/nps/319-grant-program-states-and-territories__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94L9VGq8Re$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">Section 319 Non-Point Source</span> [epa.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">
grant secured through DEM with an additional $21,610 from the town. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Transporting any plant or plant part in or out of Rhode Island waterbodies on boats, vessels, vehicles, trailers, fishing supplies, or
any other equipment is </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-60-00-10"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">prohibited</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">.
Boaters must clean all vessels and gear before and after entering freshwaters to prevent the spread of invasive plants. Boaters should always follow the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/prevention/*clean-drain-dry__;Iw!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94L7U7bIjh$" 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;mso-ligatures:none"> approach and take the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/activities/*pledge__;Iw!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94L2BIW5lt$" 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;mso-ligatures:none">
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;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">CLEAN</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">: Remove all visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment before leaving water
access. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">DRAIN:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> motor, bilge, livewell, and other water containing devices before leaving water access. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">DRY:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> everything for at least 24 hours OR wipe with a towel before reuse. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1694058026" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:525.6pt;width:352.1pt;height:264.25pt;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:left;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:image006.jpg@01DBCEE1.4DBCBDA0" o:title="" />
<w:wrap type="tight" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="469" height="352" style="width:4.8854in;height:3.6666in" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DBD147.01C25DC0" align="left" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1694058026"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">The
Town of South Kingstown is hiring a part-time boat greeter at the ramp during boating season to demonstrate how to use the boat cleaning unit and can help boaters clean off their gear. Volunteers that wish to help greet boaters and educate others at Worden
Pond or the local boat ramp </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.office.com/g/SuYNApiDAW__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94L7JGcDi0$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">can register online</span> [forms.office.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">
for upcoming training sessions in late May and early June. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Caption1"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Fragments of hydrilla, an aggressive aquatic invasive plant, on the boat ramp at Worden Pond.</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;font-style:normal">
</span><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Aquatic invasive plants are a major threat to Rhode Island’s freshwater lakes, with
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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">more
than 114 lakes and ponds</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> and 29 river segments affected. Before visiting a waterbody, boaters should check for known invasive plant sightings
using DEM’s online maps and list of waterbodies by town available </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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;mso-ligatures:none">, or use
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/research-monitoring/aquatic-invasive-species-plants"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">the
interactive map</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">. Visitors who suspect they have discovered hydrilla in another water body should take a photo and report the sighting at
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/hydrilla"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">www.dem.ri.gov/hydrilla</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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;mso-ligatures:none">.
Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94L8aFAwFZ$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">,
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</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/JKHsVOn/medialist__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94LwIycOTv$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Sign up here</span> [lp.constantcontactpages.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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;mso-ligatures:none">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:none">Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:none">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:none">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:none">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:none">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:none">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:none">(E);
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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:none">
(W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/JKHsVOn/medialist__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LdNnqTgbRNiqto5e8iFii0jVWcQmHKv4mkmU73vlgTWOoauneEMnwiVeWVfStZXxaUd095wh-csQLdPJ_JRayH5dUZ94LwIycOTv$"><span style="color:#0563C1">Sign up here</span> [lp.constantcontactpages.com]</a></span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:none">
to receive the latest press releases, news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.<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:none">Follow DEM on
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