RI Rivers Council Policy & Programs
Policy Development and Coordination
- Recommendation requesting Congress to create a Blackstone River Valley Industrial Heritage National Historical Park that includes the Blackstone River itself (Letters to Congress)
- Recommendation requesting RIEDC and RIDOT to improve river identification on the next edition of the official state tourism and transportation map (Letter to EDC)
- Participation in TF Green Airport Improvements Environmental Impact Statement Intergovernmental Review Team
(FAA Record of Decision, TF Green Airport Improvement Program, Sept 23, 2011) - Participation in the RI Bays, Rivers & Watersheds Coordination Team (Systems Level Plan)
- Participation in the development of a Narragansett Bay Regional Plan, "Our Shared Future: Toward a Sustainable Narragansett Bay Region" (Draft NBR Plan)
- Implementation and update of the Rivers Policy and Classification Plan
- Participation in the national Rivers Network based in Portland, Oregon
- Establishment of riparian and shoreline buffers, including reduced taxation for buffer properties (Riparian Buffer Report)
Support and Empowerment of Watershed Councils
Grants Program FY2012
- Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
Coordination of Project Wet in Watershed & RI
(Project Wet) -
Narrow River Preservation Association
Twenty Year Water Quality Data Analysis
"RiverWatch Results - 20th Anniversary Impact Report" -
Salt Ponds Coalition
Nutrient/chlorophyll bacteria analysis
for six sampling stations
in Green Hill and Point Judith Ponds -
Kickemuit River Council
Fish Ladder Educational Signage -
Pawtuxet River Authority & Watershed Council
Phenix-Harris Riverwalk Trail Maintenance and Improvements -
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
Stewardship Program through Recreation,
Education and Monitoring -
Friends of the Moshassuck
Collyer Field Restoration
by Planting of Six Shade Trees & Knotweed Control -
NOTE: The RI Rivers Council is grateful to the Water Resources Board staff for its assistance in conducting this program.
Grants Program FY2011
- Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association &
Narrow River Preservation Association
Watershed Science for Educators Course
Spring Semester 2011, URI Bay Campus
(Course Announcement) -
Salt Ponds Coalition
Maintain six sampling stations
at Ninigret, Green Hill & Point Judith Ponds,
and post results to website -
Kickemuit River Council
Wastewater Photo Reconnaissance, Plan Reviews,
and Construction Estimates -
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
Stewardship through Recreation and Monitoring -
Friends of the Moshassuck
Collyer Field Restoration -
NOTE: The RI Rivers Council is grateful to the Water Resources Board staff for its assistance in conducting this program.
Designation, Grant Eligibility, Legal Standing, Notice Rule
Watershed Councils designated by the Rivers Council are empowered to testify before local and state hearings on issues affecting their watershed and are eligible for state grants through the Rivers Council.
Section 46-28-7 of the Rivers Council statute states that the Council shall “promulgate regulations and procedures as may be needed to issue grants and approve watershed action plans, including rules requiring notice by state or city and town agencies to local watershed councils regarding proposed actions pertaining to projects, developments and activities located wholly or partially within the watershed represented by the local watershed council."
The Rivers Council promulgated regulations in 2005 addressing the council's grant making process and the notice rule to watershed councils by state and municipal officials. To implement the rule, watershed councils need to make a formal request for notice to a respective governing body.
(Grant & Notification Regulations)
(Designation Criteria)
Organizational Assessment and Capacity Building
The Rivers Council in partnership with the RI Land Trust Council has developed an organizational assessment tool.Education and Public Involvement in River & Watershed Protection
Watershed Stewardship Program
From 2005 to 2007, the Rivers Council offered its Watershed Stewardship Program to citizens interested in learning how to protect their watersheds. Through a series of indoor classes and outdoor field sessions, participants learned from professionals the basics of watershed hydrology, watershed assessments, land conservation, fish restoration, trail maintenance, invasive species, watershed policy, community involvement, and more. Many Watershed Stewards went on to volunteer with their local watershed councils, land trusts, or other environmental organizations. Eighty people matriculated through the program. Much of the material from this program remains relevant and is available at the link below. Currently, the Rivers Council is supporting the Watershed Science for Educators course being offered at the URI Bay Campus by the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association and the Narrow River Preservation Association
Visit Watershed Stewardship Program Materials!
Environmental Awareness Day at Narragansett Beach
Rivers Council staff demonstrates water quality testing
with two young beach-goers. Photo: Juan Mariscal
For several years, the Rivers Council partnered with the Town of Narragansett to host an environmental awareness day at the Narragansett Town Beach. Environmental organizations from all over the state set up information displays, talked to beach-goers about RI's natural resources, and offered fun and educational activities for kids. The Rivers Council is presently having dialogue about resuming this program.
Educational Display
The Rivers Council is presently restoring and renewing its display for environmental education exhibiting in 2011.