[Rimarinefisheries] DEM announces precautionary closure of Point Judith Pond to shellfishing because of intense rainfall, 10-17-19

 

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 | www.dem.ri.gov | @RhodeIslandDEM

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: Mike Healey, DEM: 401-222-4700, X7273

Thursday, October 17, 2019                                                         Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov

 

DEM ANNOUNCES PRECAUTIONARY CLOSURE OF POINT JUDITH POND

TO SHELLFISHING DUE TO POTENTIAL HIGH BACTERIAL COUNTS.

CLOSURE TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

 

image004.png@01D584DA.B4794100” v:shapes=”Picture_x0020_3″>PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that effective at 1 PM today, Thursday, October 17, and until further notice, all waters of Point Judith Pond are closed to shellfishing. The line separating Point Judith Pond and Potters Pond is from the southern end of Gooseberry Road to the northern end of Succotash Road in South Kingstown.

 

DEM is enacting this precautionary closure due to the intense storm yesterday into today that brought nearly 4 inches of rainfall to the area, according to the URI rain gauge. Available data indicate that it is likely that bacteria levels in Point Judith water samples will exceed levels safe for shellfish consumption.

 

DEM is scheduled to collect water samples tomorrow with results available late Saturday and will update this announcement once acceptable bacteria results are obtained.

 

Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM [twitter.com]) or Facebook [facebook.com] for information and timely updates.

 

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This is a map of Point Judith Pond. All waters shown in red are closed to shellfishing

effective at 1 PM today, October 17. The line separating Point Judith Pond and Potters

Pond is from the southern end of Gooseberry Road to the northern end of Succotash

Road in South Kingstown.