Letter to the Editor

LETTER: Councilor Gerlach on Regulating Recreation on Stafford Pond

Councilor William P. Gerlach writes a letter to the editor urging Tiverton residents to speak out against recreational activities that could compromise Stafford Pond - a town drinking water resource.

  To the Editor: Few natural resources in Tiverton hold as much beauty and importance as Stafford Pond. As Tiverton’s only public drinking water source, thousands of residents rely on Stafford Pond each and every day. Anything that could compromise the quality and safety of this resource should give all residents of Tiverton pause. When compared to other public drinking water sources in Rhode Island, Stafford Pond stands out – for all the wrong reasons:  It has a public boat ramp; it is stocked with fish for recreational purposes; boats with large combustion engines are allowed on it for DEM-permitted fishing tournaments; it is an official Federal Aviation Administration seaplane landing location; it contains two known invasive species (…

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Tiverton To Hold Public Hearing On Stafford Pond Fishing Tournament Regulations

Tiverton is getting a head start on protecting Stafford Pond - a major drinking water resource in town.

The Tiverton Town Council is making moves toward protecting Stafford Pond - a major drinking water source for north Tiverton residents - and it wants the public to weigh in on how best to do so. On April 22 during a public hearing at 7 p.m., Tiverton residents will get the chance to share their thoughts on a set of proposed regulations intended to limit the scope of the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM)-sponsored fishing tournaments (and other hazardous recreational activities) on Stafford Pond. The public hearing was suggested by Councilor William P. Gerlach in the wake of a meeting with DEM, state Department of Health officials, town leaders and East Bay legislators.  "It was a productive discussion, we made our case …

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DEM To Hold Public WorkShop On Stafford Pond Fishing Regulations

The state Department of Environmental Management will hold two public workshops - one in Tiverton and one in Exeter - addressed proposed freshwater fishing, hunter and falconry regulations on state ponds and wildlife areas.

The state Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold public workshops in Tiverton and Exeter in early April to discuss the proposed 2014-2015 freshwater fishing seasons, 2013-2014 falconry season, and the 2013-2014 hunting season and bag limit regulations. The workshops follow concerns by Tiverton residents and leaders on the recreational uses allowed on Stafford Pond. The pond is a primary drinking water resource for some Tiverton residents in the Stone Bridge water district. Officials worry loose regulations could allow for contamination from fuel, invasive species and other threats.  Public workshops will be held on Tuesday, April 2 at the Tiverton Rod and Gun Club located at 1529 Fish Road in …

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Prudence Island Raccoon Tests Positive for Distemper

DEM is cautioning dog owners about the re-emergence of a dog disease that is now considered rare in Rhode Island.

The following is from a press release.  The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is cautioning dog owners about the re-emergence of a dog disease that is now considered rare in Rhode Island.  Canine distemper was recently diagnosed in a raccoon on Prudence Island. The raccoon was submitted for testing after island residents notified DEM about numerous raccoon deaths and a large number of raccoons that displayed abnormal behavior. DEM and the Department of Health worked with local authorities to first rule out rabies as a possible cause. When rabies was not confirmed, DEM authorized testing for canine distemper virus, which was confirmed.  Canine distemper does not affect humans. It is a virus that usually affects dogs, but can also…

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West Nile Virus Found in Tiverton

The announcement was made Wednesday by the Department of Environmental Management.

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced Wednesday that one pool, or a sample of 49 bird-biting mosquitoes collected on Sept. 19 in Tiverton, tested positive for West Nile Virus. The virus was identified at the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) laboratory, which tests mosquito samples collected each week by DEM. Results for the remaining 88 pools collected on Sept. 19 are pending.  This is the second pool of mosquitoes trapped this year to test positive for West Nile Virus, as one mosquito pool collected on Aug. 22 in Providence confirmed positive for the virus, according to DEM. On Sept. 14, the DOH reported that a man in his 50s from Providence County was diagnosed with the virus. He reportedly first developed …

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Joe Sousa.

5:17 pm on Monday, October 3, 2011

Jim, What the shill fails to realize is that when the Gov.can't perform these tasks because all the tax revenue goes to retirement cost and bonds for repairs, there will be no money left for testing.Tax and spend liberals don't get it.   more ›

DEM Warns of Strong Rip Currents, Ocean Swells This Weekend

DEM asks swimmers to stay out of the water this weekend until the effects of Katia have passed.

The Department of Environmental Management is urging residents to exercise caution along southern shoreline areas this weekend because of the strong rip currents and heavy surf expected as Hurricane Katia remains off the southeast New England coast.  An advisory issued this morning by the National Weather Service cautions that as the storm passes to the east of the state on Saturday, there will be high surf and dangerous rip currents along the south shore, in addition to gusty northeast winds.  DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation is advising the public to continue to follow the advice of the National Weather Service and its high surf advisory, and refrain from entering the water until the effects of the storm have passed.  A rip current…

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