Rhode Island DEM News

25 LASA Grants, $450,000 Awarded to Rhode Island Farmers, Fishers, Food Producers

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced 25 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grants totaling $450,000 to local farmers, fishers, and food producers. Grants of up to $20,000 with no match requirement were awarded across agriculture, aquaculture, seafood, and food organization categories to support local food sector growth and food security.

60,000 Trout Stocked in Over 100 Waterbodies

Rhode Island DEM announced stocking of 60,000 brook, brown, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout across over 100 freshwater waterbodies ahead of the April 11 opening day. The annual Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for May 2-3, during which residents and visitors may fish without a license or trout stamp. Upper Melville Pond in Portsmouth will be closed to fishing from May 4 through July 2 to support a PFAS accumulation study.

Three Rhode Island State Campgrounds Open for Season April 10

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announces the seasonal opening of three state campgrounds on April 10, 2026. Charlestown Breachway, Fishermen's Memorial, and George Washington Memorial State Campgrounds will open for the season, with East Beach opening May 22. Burlingame State Campground's opening is delayed due to ongoing modernization of shower and restroom facilities. The announcement aligns with spring school vacation and trout fishing season.

Charlestown Breachway $8.4M Coastal Repair Project Completed

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced completion of the $8.4M Charlestown Breachway long-term repair project, funded jointly by the state ($7M through DEM and CRMC) and the Town of Charlestown ($1.4M). The project included breachway restoration, channel dredging, beach re-nourishment, and construction of two storm-resilient dunes. Work began in November 2025 and was completed in late March 2026.

DEM Resuming Prescribed Burns Across Rhode Island This Week

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced it will resume low-severity prescribed burns on state lands across Exeter, West Greenwich, Coventry, Richmond, Glocester, Jamestown, and South Kingstown beginning the week of April 6, 2026. The burns target parcels at multiple management areas including Durfee Hill, Arcadia, Nicholas Farm, Big River, Dutch Island, Carolina, and Great Swamp Management Areas. DEM will provide advance notice through social media and website updates once burn windows are identified.

PFAS Impact Study on Stocked Trout - Upper Melville Pond Fishing Closure

RI DEM and RIDOH announced a collaborative study with EPA, Roger Williams University, and the Town of Portsmouth to examine PFAS accumulation in stocked trout at Upper Melville Pond in Portsmouth. The pond will be closed to fishing from May 4 through July 2, 2026, to protect study integrity. This is the first study of its kind in Rhode Island and results are expected next year.

State DEQ Awards Over $5.7M in Outdoor Recreation Grants

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced over $5.7 million in matching Outdoor Recreation Grants to 15 municipalities. These grants, funded by Green Bonds, will support projects such as playgrounds, splash pads, and sports facilities, aiming to improve public health and quality of life.

Litter-Free Rhode Island Microgrant Applications Open

The State of Rhode Island, through the Department of Environmental Management and the First Lady's Litter-Free Rhode Island program, has opened applications for Spring 2026 microgrants. These grants of up to $500 will support community cleanup and beautification projects, with a priority for Earth Day initiatives.

70 Acres Conserved at Gull Cove with Oil Spill Settlement Funding

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced the conservation of 70 acres at Gull Cove using $880,000 in settlement funding from the Bouchard B120 Oil Spill. This action preserves critical salt marsh habitat and coastal uplands, enhancing wildlife support and coastal resilience.

DEM and URI Revitalize W. Alton Jones Campus

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the University of Rhode Island (URI) are revitalizing the W. Alton Jones Campus, investing over $2 million in improvements. The initiative aims to reestablish the campus as a Natural Resource Center and Environmental Education Hub, with public access restoration targeted by the end of 2026.