Fact Sheet/Spring 2005
South County RI Watersheds
A watershed is the land that
:ross or under
on its way to
stream,
river or lake and is nature's
way of dividing up the
includes many eco-systems
that, by virtue of their ecologi-
cal value, recreational value,
or proximity to large popula-
tions, hold a special signifi-
New England is focusing par-
ticular attention and
resources on these special
places. Working closely with
our federal, state and local
delivering tangible environ-
mental improvements to these
^EPA Contact
Rob Adler
(617)918-1396
adler.robert@epa.gov
United States
Environmental Protection
k Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/region1
What Makes the South County Watersheds
Special?
Hhey span 300 square miles of four coastal draining
watersheds: Narrow River, Pawcatuck River, Salt
Ponds and Saugatucket River, with 11 southern RI
communities.
Hhey are remarkably rural and country-like, with
high bio-diversity. 85% of RI's globally rare species
and 65% of RI's rare and unique natural communi-
ties are very sensitive to human disturbance.
Hhey are the home of the Narragansett Tribe and the
highest concentration of turf (sod) farms in the U.S.
Why Do Waters of South County Need
Special Attention?
* Development pressures are among the highest in
New England. Fragmentation and nonpoint
pollution threaten resources, farms, open space
and 'country way of life.'
> Stream withdrawals to irrigate golf courses and
turf crops may threaten water resources and natu-
ral habitats.
^Groundwater supplies 100% of the drinking water
and is designated as "sole source" aquifers by EPA.
> Although the region is fairly rural, segments of the
Narrow, Saugatucket and Pawcatuck Rivers, do
not meet state water quality standards.
^-Coastal ponds' water quality, shellfish and eel
grass beds are threatened.
Progress/Goals for the Future
What Progress has Been Made?
MO acres of eel grass habitat restoration began with
dredging the breachway to coastal Ninigret Pond; a
sedimentation basin will be created and dredged
sand willreplenish eroded RI Sound beaches.
^-EPA's Block Island - Green Hill [ salt] Pond
community wastewater management project is in full
implementaion. Results show 10% of systems failed
or are cesspools.
^-Salt Pond Task Force was established to restore Green
Hill Pond water quality, shellfishing and fish habitat.
TMDL completed and contractor hired to prepare a
plan to reduce bacteria and nutrient enrichment.
Hocal financial assistance programs for low income
families are being dveloped for septic system repairs
and cesspool replacements in Gharlestown and S.
Kingstown.
What Major Actions are Planned for 2005?
^-Complete dredging for 40 acres of eel grass habitat
restoration in coastal Ninigret Pond.
* Achieve Town-State collaboration on permitting
onsite wastewater systems to improve bacteria and
nutrient reduction.
^-Salt Pond Task Force and consultants prepare a pub-
lic draft Restroation Action Plan to improve Green
Hill Pond water quality, shellfishing and recreation.
^-Complete wastewater management plans for three
towns and continue dairy farm improvements.
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South County RI Watersheds
(South')
Pawcatuck Watershed (RI & CT>
Legend
Surface Water
Rivers
Washington ("South') County and Pawcatuck Watershed
State Boundary
Town Boundary
Data Sources: Political boundaries from RIGIS. CT DEP and
MassGIS at 1:24,000. Surface water from USGS at 1:100,000.
Watershed boundaries from RIGIS at 1:24,000
February 6, 2001
r*
A
Southern
New England
* Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed
Association Contact
Lori Urso, Executive Director
(401)539-9017
www.wpwa.org
^Narrow River Preservation Association
Tony Lachowicz, Executive Director
(401)783-6277
www.narrowriver.org
* Saugatucket River Heritage Corridor
Coalition, Inc.
Dorothy Devine, President
(401)782-0149
www.saugatucket.org
^Salt Ponds Coalition
Vic Dvorak, Executive Director
(401)322-1105
www.saltpondscoalition.org
United States
Environmental Protection
i. Agency New England
v>EPA
Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 www.epa.gov/region1
Watersheds
What are the South County Watershed
Organizations and Collaboration?
The RI Rivers Council has designated two wa-
tershed councils in the South County region:
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association and
the Saugatucket River Heritage Corridor Coali-
tion. Along with the Narrow River Preserva-
tion Association and the Salt Ponds Coalition,
these organizations and partners have each de-
veloped action plans that identify key issues
and actions. Action teams have been estab-
lished. For example, in the Salt Ponds region,
a group was formed that includes the Salt
Ponds Coalition, URI Watershed Watch, GSO,
and Cooperative Extension, with RI DEM and
EPA New England that will collaborate on fo-
cused water quality monitoring.
South County town governments are increas-
ingly engaged in the preservation of their
natural resources and their 'country way of
life'. Town Council representatives have orga-
nized under the Washington County Regional
Planning Council to address local resource
and land management issues and encourage a
regional perspective.
Who are the Partners?
EPANew England Southern Rhode Island
Conservation District Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed
Association 14 Towns in Pawcatuck Watershed
Rhode Island Departmentof Environmental
Management ConnecticutDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection RuralLands Coalition
Salt Ponds Coalition The Nature Conservancy
USDANaturalResources Conservation Service US
Geologic Survey URI Cooperative Extension Service
Trout Unlimited Audubon Society of Rhode Is-
land NarragansettfndknTribe URI Coastal
Resources Center URI Watershed Watch
MashantucketPequotTribe Rhode Island Geo-
graphic Information Systems The Rhode Isknd
NaturalHistory Survey s Narrow River Preservation
Association Saugatucket River Heritage Corridor
Coalition
Note: EPA New England offers businesses and municipalities information and assistance to improve compliance with environmental laws and be better stewards of their
local environment. Please call to learn how EPA can help.
EPA901-F-05-012
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