Fact Sheet/Spring 2005
Grants program starred in
2002 to encourage commu-
protect and restore the
nation's watersheds. The
results. The i
nd build on the
private partnerships already
working hard to improve their
waterways. Nominees forthe
Targeted Watershed Grants
program were required to set
clear goals that include strong
VVatersnea plans ana pro|e
proposals were judged c
criteria such as: innovt
environmental results, broc
support, outreach, ar
financial integrity.
> EPA Contact
David Turin
(617)918-1598
turin.david@epa.gov
United States
Environmental Protection
L Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/region1
Narragansett Ba
What Makes the Narragansett Bay Special?
* Narragansett Bay is 147 square mile estuary, mostly
in Rhode Island, but about 7% in Massachusetts.
Hhe watershed covers 1,852 square miles and is
60% in Massachusetts.
Hhe estuary is a valuable, diverse and biologically
productive ecosystem, providing spawning
grounds, nurseries and habitat for species such as
flounder, lobster, hardshell clams, oysters, seals.
Why Does Narragansett Bay Need Attention?
* Nutrient over-enrichment; contaminated
sediments; declining health and abundance of
living resources; invasive species; need for
fishery management; health risks to consumers
of seafood; and adverse impacts to commerical
and recreational uses are all concerns in the Bay.
> With the watershed in two states, the Bay poses a
special challenge to creatively work togetherto
identify and address threats to the Bay and
conflicting uses.
What are the Long Term Goals?
Hhe Governor's Narragansett Bay and Water-
shed Planning Commission, has the follow-
ing shorter-term goals: restoration of,
coastal wetlands, anadromous fish habitat,
buffer, and protection of eelgrass habitat.
Progress/Goals for the Future
What Progress Has Been Made?
Hn 1987, Narraganset Bay was designated an estuary
of national significance and selected into the Na-
tional Estuary Program (NEP) to protect water qual-
ity and critical resource areas and restore degraded
waters and dependent uses.
Hn 1998, EPAand Rhode Island designated the
State's coastal waters, including Narragansett Bay, a
"No Discharge Area," prohibiting the discharge of
boat sewage.
> A collaborative regional Habitat Restoration Team
developed a coastal habitat restoration plan and is
securing funding and partnerships for habitat and
fisheries restoration. Seven restoration projects
have been funded in MA and RI.
Hhe Association of National Estuary Programs sup-
ported a 40-acre salt marsh restoration in Ports-
mouth, RI; conducted spatial and trend analysis of
dissolved oxygen used to support nutrient reduc-
tion targets, and gave funds to support watershed
group activities.
> Was selected in 2003 for EPA's targeted Watershed
Grant Program and received $800,000 to fund six
projects.
What Actions are Planned for 2005-2006?
* Support implementation of the Phase I Report of the
Governor's Narragansett Bay and Watershed
visit: www.ci.uri.edu/govcomm
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Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay Basin
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For More Information:
Save The Bay, NarragansettBayHistorywww.savebay.org/aboutbay/bay history.asp
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the Corridor, NationalPark
Service, www.nps.gov/blac/the_corridor/the-corridor.html
About the Valley: The Blackstone Valley Yesterday, Blackstone River Tourism Council,
www.tourblackstone.com/about.htm
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 www.epa.gov/region1
Targeted Watersheds
What Actions are Planned for 2005-
2006? (continued)
Unstallstorm water controls to address bacteria
and nutrient sources to the Narrow River in RI.
* Restore flow controls at Leesville Pond (Kettle
Brook) in MA to address nutrient, nuisance
plant and low dissolved oxygen concerns.
^Install two fish ladders on the Three Mile
River in MA
* Test innovative methods to restore eelgrass in
selected portions of Narragansett Bay.
^Rehabilitate a fishway at the Bradford Dam
on the Wood-Pawcatuck River in RI to restore
access to anadromous fish.
> Study alternative approaches to restore
anadromous fish runs on the Pawtuxet River in
RI via dam removal or a fish passage device.
^Implement storm water best management
practices in Whiting's Pond (Ten Mile River)
in MA to control nutrient loadings.
Who are the Partners?
EPA New England The Providence Plan
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Man-
agement Rhode Island Department of Trans-
portation Rhode Island Department of Health
National Park Service Army Corps of Engi-
neers Narragansett Bay Commission
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Coalition
US Geological Service Olneyville Housing Cor-
poration Environmental Diversity Education
Forum The Urban League of Rhode Is land
Save the Bay The Audubon Society of Rhode Is-
land City of Providence, Office of Neighbor-
hood Environmental Affairs and Department of
Planning Socio-Economic Development Cen-
ter for South East Asians Northern Rhode Island
Conservation District City of North Providence
Club Neopolski Creations
Note: EPA-New England otters Businesses ana mumcip
local environment. Please call to learn how EPA can help.
Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper with a minimum 50% post-consumer fiber using vegetable-based ink
EPA 901-F-05-009
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