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Rhode Island DEM Awards $139,254 in Grants to Enhance Boat Pump-Out Facilities – Newport Buzz

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Rhode Island DEM Awards $139,254 in Grants to Enhance Boat Pump-Out Facilities – Newport Buzz


The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced the award of $139,254 in matching grants to support the expansion and maintenance of boat pump-out facilities across the state. Funded under the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Clean Vessel Act (CVA), these grants will back seven projects aimed at preserving water quality in Rhode Island waters. Since 1994, DEM has distributed over $2.5 million in CVA Clean Vessel grants.

“Most of us know it’s not right to discharge wastewater directly from our boats into Narragansett Bay or the ocean. In fact, it’s illegal to pump waste within three nautical miles of the Rhode Island coast,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “DEM works with municipal and marine trades partners to prevent the discharge of boat sewage, which impairs water quality by introducing bacteria and other pathogens and chemicals that are harmful to humans and marine life. The support of the USFWS CVA helps accomplish this by subsidizing pump-out facilities that empower thousands of Rhode Island recreational boaters to do their part to keep the bay and our local waters clean, which are central to the Ocean State’s environment, way of life, and economy.”

Boat sewage poses a significant threat to water quality by introducing harmful bacteria, pathogens, and chemicals. In 1998, Rhode Island was the first state to receive a statewide “no discharge” designation from the US Environmental Protection Agency, prohibiting the discharge of boat sewage into local waterways.

The 2024 grant recipients include:

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  • Stanley’s Boat Yard – $4,775 for replacing an existing stationary pump-out and purchasing a mobile cart for the Barrington River.
  • Greenwich Cove Marina – $29,200 for constructing a new stationary pump-out in Greenwich Cove.
  • Providence Marina – $1,100 for maintaining a stationary pump-out in the Providence River.
  • Barrington Yacht Club – $1,477 for maintaining a stationary pump-out in the Barrington River.
  • Town of New Shoreham – $6,550 for maintaining five existing mobile pump-out boats in Great Salt Pond.
  • Town of Bristol – $86,487 for purchasing a new pump-out boat for Bristol Harbor.
  • Town of Westerly – $9,665 for maintaining two existing pump-out boats in the Pawcatuck River.

Rhode Island currently operates 63 marine sanitation pump-out facilities: 48 dockside and 15 pump-out boats. These facilities, many of which need repairs and upgrades, are essential for preventing sewage discharges into state waters. The grants require a 25% funding match, and funded facilities must be accessible to all boaters, charging no more than $5 per 30 gallons of sewage pumped.

With around 40,000 boats registered in Rhode Island and many more visiting annually, maintaining these pump-out facilities is crucial. Last year alone, over 600,000 gallons of sewage were pumped out and diverted from Rhode Island’s coastal waters.

These efforts benefit various commercial and recreational interests, including Rhode Island’s shellfish harvesters, by helping maintain clean and safe water conditions. For a map of marine pump-out facilities in Rhode Island, visit the DEM’s website.

 

Rhode Island Veterans Cemetary

 

 


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Rhode Island

Gas prices continue downward trend in Rhode Island, but demand heating up

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Gas prices continue downward trend in Rhode Island, but demand heating up


PROVIDENCE — Gas prices are down again for a sixth straight week, but the trend is likely coming to an end as both temperatures and demand continue to heat up.



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Christian McCaffrey and fiancé Olivia Culpo jet off to Rhode Island ahead of wedding

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Christian McCaffrey and fiancé Olivia Culpo jet off to Rhode Island ahead of wedding


The countdown is on!

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey took off for Rhode Island in a private jet Monday as they get ready to tie the knot.

“Let it begin 👰🏻‍♀️🤍🥹,” the former beauty queen captioned an Instagram post, which included pics of the soon-to-be newlyweds holding hands and standing in front of a private jet and life-size letters that read, “Mr & Mrs.”

Olivia Culpo and fiancé Christian McCaffrey boarded their wedding flight to Rhode Island. oliviaculpo/Instagram
“Let it begin 👰🏻‍♀️🤍🥹,” she captioned the Instagram post Monday. oliviaculpo/Instagram
The couple posed for pics in front of a private jet, balloons and life-size letters that read, “Mr & Mrs.” oliviaculpo/Instagram

The carousel of pics also included shots inside the plane. The floor of the jet was sprinkled with white petals and a tablet showed a gallery of Culpo and McCaffrey’s pics together over the years.

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For the wedding flight meal, the couple could choose from chicken lettuce wraps, ahi sushi bowls, summer strawberry crunch salad and several breakfast dishes.

The “Culpo Sisters” star, 32, and the San Francisco 49ers player, 28, could then enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries and espresso martinis for dessert.

One last shot featured the happy couple — who were accompanied by their pup, Oliver Sprinkles — sharing a sweet kiss while holding hands across the small aisle.

White rose petals were spread along the aisle of the plane. oliviaculpo/Instagram
A tablet showed a gallery of Culpo and McCaffrey’s pics together over the years. oliviaculpo/Instagram
For the wedding flight meal, the reality star and the NFL player had the option of dining on chicken lettuce wraps, ahi sushi bowls, summer strawberry crunch salad and several breakfast dishes. oliviaculpo/Instagram

For the romantic trek, the reality star was dressed in an all-white linen look while her beau looked comfy in a gray T-shirt, blue sweatpants and white sneakers.

Culpo and the NFL star are reportedly set to exchange vows in Rhode Island, where she was born and raised.

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In April 2023, the former Miss Universe announced she was engaged to McCaffrey after nearly four years of dating.

“♾️4.2.23♾️,” she captioned a slideshow of photos on Instagram of the running back getting down on one knee.

The pair’s pup, Oliver Sprinkles, joined them for the flight. oliviaculpo/Instagram
Culpo dressed in an all-white linen look for the romantic trek. oliviaculpo/Instagram
McCaffrey sported a gray T-shirt, blue sweatpants and white sneakers. oliviaculpo/Instagram
Culpo and McCaffrey announced their engagement in April 2023 after four years pf dating. oliviaculpo/instagram

“We tried to keep this quiet for as long as possible but apparently word travels fast. I’m marrying my best friend. I love you so much, fiancé,” she added on her Instagram Story.

Culpo previously revealed that she plans to try to start a family “immediately” after they get married.

“I feel like the day after my wedding, I’m just gonna rip out my IUD and start trying immediately,” she said in an October 2023 TikTok video.

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Bad polling news for Governor McKee, and President Biden – The Boston Globe

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Bad polling news for Governor McKee, and President Biden – The Boston Globe


The online and text message survey of 1,450 likely Rhode Island voters was conducted June 5 to June 14 by Embold Research.

You can read the full survey here, and below are five key takeaways.

Bridge trouble for Governor McKee

This is the first public polling we’ve seen that asks a specific question about the failure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, and McKee takes a hit. Only 29 percent of likely voters said they approve of his handling of the bridge, while 59 percent said they disapprove. The poll also showed 60 percent of likely voters think the state is on the wrong track. McKee’s 36 percent overall job approval is below US Senator Jack Reed (58 percent), US Representative Seth Magaziner (51 percent), US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (48 percent), US Representative Gabe Amo (42 percent) and Biden (42 percent).

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The Kennedy factor

Rhode Island probably isn’t going to decide the presidential election, but four years after Biden earned more than 59 percent of the vote against Trump, only 40 percent of likely voters say they’re sticking with the incumbent president. Two concerns for Biden: RFK Jr. has 12 percent among likely voters, and 17 among independents, and only 72 percent of Democrats said they are voting for Biden (by comparison, Trump commands the support of 87 percent of Republicans).

Whitehouse, Magaziner, and Amo are heavy favorites

Reed, the most popular politician in the state, doesn’t face reelection until 2026. But the poll shows Whitehouse, Magaziner, and Amo appear well on their way to breeze past their Republican opponents in the November election. Whitehouse was at 48 percent compared to 34 percent for whichever Republican he faces (state Representative Patti Morgan or Ray McKay). Magaziner leads little-known challenger Steve Corvi 47 percent to 33 percent, and Amo has a 50-percent to 29-percent lead over perennial candidate Allen Waters.

Sabina Matos’ uphill battle

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It’s not easy to build your profile as lieutenant governor, and Sabina Matos has the added challenge of dealing with a voter signature scandal that rocked her campaign for Congress last year. Now she finds herself at 27 percent approval and 39 percent disapproval in job performance. The bright side for Matos is that 35 percent of voters said they weren’t sure, but this poll isn’t likely to curb talk of a Democratic primary challenger for Matos in 2026. 

Everyone wants an inspector general

Except the people who could make it happen. Democrats, Republicans, and independents all expressed overwhelming support for a Republican-led proposal to create an independent inspector general’s office to investigate waste and fraud in government. Among likely voters, 73 percent said they support an inspector general, while just 8 percent oppose.


This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.


Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.





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