Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group

When consumers are cheated, or our natural environment is threatened, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, RIPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation.

The mission of the RIPIRG is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects our environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

Bay And Watershed Restoration Project

Rhode Island ’s bays, beaches and coastal waters are some of our most valuable natural resources. Unfortunately, each summer, elevated bacteria levels cause dozens — sometimes hundreds — of beach closings, while nitrogen discharges from big wastewater treatment plants can help to trigger underwater kill zones.

Over the past five years Rhode Island experienced almost 1,000 beach closing days and several major fish kill, like the one in Greenwich Bay that killed over a million fish in 2003. RIPIRG is building support in the General Assembly for a $25 million Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond to help restore Rhode Island’s waters. If we want a healthy future for our watershed, we need to tackle the sources of this pollution.