Rhode Island
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:
- 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.
Like Newport Buzz? We depend on the generosity of readers like you who support us, to help with our mission to keep you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We truly appreciate your trust and support!


Related
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for Dec. 18, 2025
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Midday: 1-4-0-0
Evening: 5-5-4-5
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
09-28-30-31-36, Extra: 21
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Rhode Island
‘Just knock it off’: Neronha, Whitehouse urge RI to ignore Brown shooting conspiracy theories | ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Law enforcement are urging Providence and Rhode Island residents to only trust information from official sources in the Brown University shooting.
This follows the doxxing of a student related to online speculation about the shooting suspect’s identity.
According to Brown University, a student’s personal information was shared online, and now Attorney General Peter Neronha is attempting to stem the flow of internet rumors.
Rumors gained more traction after information about the doxxed student was seemingly removed from Brown’s website.
Neronha said that any online rumors about political, religious or racial motivations behind the shooting are unfounded.
Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse didn’t mince words when he weighed in on the online discourse in the case.
“So whether it’s to protect the law enforcement investigation from a lot of unnecessary and ill-informed noise cluttering up the ability of the many agencies working on this to do their jobs, or whether it’s out simple courtesy and sympathy to the families who are going through this awful moment, just please shut up with the speculation,” said Whitehouse.
“All the conspiracy theories, all the creepy weird plot ideas, please, just knock it off.”
School officials said it is not unusual to take steps to protect a person’s safety in the event of online targeting.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 17, 2025
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 17, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
25-33-53-62-66, Powerball: 17, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
11-13-20-40-41, Lucky Ball: 07
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 3-3-9-5
Evening: 4-3-2-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
04-11-18-24-37, Extra: 30
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Iowa4 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Washington1 week agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa6 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine3 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland4 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota5 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class