Fact Sheet/Spring 2005
AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS
www.epa.gov/OWOW/
heritage/rivers.html
The American Heritage
Rivers Initiative was created
to advance the goals identi-
fied by river communities. The
Initiative has three objectives:
natural resource and environ-
mental protection, economic
revitalization, and historic and
cultural preservation. No new
regulatory ai
as a result
the Initiative.
Likewise, no direct federal
funding is available to the
Initiative. Existing federal
authorities and programs are
used to assist the community
* Woonasquatucket
River Navigator
Contact
Johanna Hunter,
(617)918-1041
nunter.johanna@epa.gov
^ Woonasquatucket River
Watershed Council (WRWC)
Jenny Pereira, Director
(401)861-9046
jpereira@woonasquatucket.org
www.woonasquatucket.org
United States
Environmental Protection
i Agency New England
Customer Call Center
888-372-7341
www.epa.gov/region1
Woonasquatucket River
What Makes the Woonasquatucket River
Special?
Hhe headwaters in Glocester and North
Smithfield offer opportunities for preservation of
the natural riparian and wetland buffers protect-
ing the water quality of the river.
Hhe river powered the industrial growth of Provi-
dence and RI and features many historic sites and
buildings.
* Restoration of the river has regional implications
as it merges with two other rivers to form the
headwaters of NarragansettBay, one of the larg-
estsaltwater estuaries in the nation.
* Economic development pressures offer opportu-
nity to link environmental preservation with
smart growth and development.
What are the Long Term Goals?
* Return water quality of the river to fishable and
swimmableby2015.
^Create a contiguous greenway and wildlife
habitat along the length of the river.
^Identify and protect environmentally critical
land parcels.
* Preserve and/or restore historically significant
buildings and sites.
^Improve public access and awareness to the
river and enhance opportunities for
recreational activities.
^Support economic development opportunities
and identify and promote positive growth
patterns in the watershed.
Progress/Goals for the Future
What Partnership Progress Has Been Made?
> Identification of riparian and wetland habitat res-
toration opportunities along the river (grants
from US Forest Service, EPA, URI, RI DEM) includ-
ing funding for 3 projects in 2005.
> WRWC partnership with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service of RI (USDA) to work di-
rectly with public and private land owners on
river issues.
K)ver 50 acresof abandoned waterfrontwas re-
stored and construction started on a 5.5 mile
bikeway linking neighborhoods and parks in the
Riverside Mills area of Providence.
Hn Providence, RI DEM and WRWC recently com-
pleted an EPA Smart Growth grant to develop
measures to integrate Brownfields initiatives,
neighborhood priorities and river protection
measures into the Providence Comprehensive
Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
* Designated the Woonasquatucket as an EPA/Army
Corps Urban River Restoration Initiative,
partnering these agencies with communities on
river restoration including the potential for future
fish passage along the lower dams of the river.
What EPA Actions are Planned for 2005-6?
^Two Brownfields sites (Riverside Mills and Melissa
St. Landfill) will be restored for public use. River-
side Mills Park will be completed in 2006.
^Commit to key environmental actions outlined in
the WRWC Watershed Action Plan.
-------
Woonasquatucket River
Legend
Surfre* Walei
ra»n
ToMn Boundary
State Botindaiy
Watershed Boundary
DB>SOIIW PoliRal boundaries from MascGIS, CaraiDEP, ml WGIS
A 1:24.000 Surface waterfram NHD at 1 100.000
Watershed boundaries from RSGIS at 1 24.000
Jm 20. 2002
A
AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS
www.epa.gov/OWOW/heritage/rivers.html
What EPA Actions are Planned for 2005-2006? (continued)
* Undertake wetland and riparian restoration projects and work with RI
DEM to pilot projects based on wetland restoration inventory and
riparian work.
* Reduce bacteria, nutrient and metals loading by finalizing the levels
allowable for the river (TMDLs).
^-Work with WRWC and other stakeholders on the development of recom-
mendations for cleanup at the Gentredale Manor Superfund site.
* Partnering with other agencies for additional projects such as fish passage
and river redevelopment along the Woonasquatucket.
> Support environmental education initiatives.
Who are the Partners?
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council TownofGlocester TownofNorth
Smithfield TownofSmithfield Town of Johnston TownofNorthProvidence
GityofProvidence EPANewEngland US Fish and Wildlife USArmyCorps
ofEngineers FederalHighway Administration Housing and Urban Develop-
ment Economic Development Agency, Dept of Commerce US Geological
Survey FederalEmergencyManagementAgency NationalMarine Fisheries
Service National Park Service USDA-NaturalResources Conservation Service
USDAForestService USDA-RuralDevelopmentforRI USDANatural
Resources Conservation Service USDAFarmServiceAgency RI Department of
Environmental Management RI Department of Transportation Rhode Island
Audubon Society Coastal Resouces Management Council
What is the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council?
In 1994, work began on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project, a pro-
gram focused on the restoration of the river and abandoned public land in in-
ner city neighborhoods in Providence. In 1997, staff of the Greenway Project
began working with all of the communities in the watershed in a successful
campaign to secure the federal designation of the Woonasquatucket as an
American Heritage River. The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
formed out of this grassroots effort in 1998, and incorporated as a 50 l(c)(3)
in 2001, with the mission to encourage, support and promote the restoration
and preservation of the Woonasquatucket River watershed as an environmen-
tal, recreational, cultural, and economic assest of the State of Rhodes Island.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
Customer Call Center 888-372-7341 www.epa.gov/region1
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.
Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper with a minimum 50% post-consumer fiber using vegetable-based ink *« A JUl-r-lD-UlU
------- |