RISAA Foundation contributes to Blackstone River project

fish ladders to be constructed along the river
RISAA Foundation


The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Foundation has shown it’s commitment to the restoration of the Narragansett Bay watershed, by contributing to the Blackstone River Watershed Council and the project to provide fish passage at four dam sites along the river.Blackstone River

As reported last month, The Blackstone River is another multi-phase project that is moving along toward reality.  Like other rivers, water quality in the Blackstone has improved, and this river is ready for the return of anadromous fish.

This project will involve providing fish passage at four dams.  Federal and state funds are being provided, but the Watershed Council still needs to raise more funding to complete the total project.
 
According to Frank Geary, fish passage project coordinator for the Council, the total project will cost $2.5 million and $1.56 million of federal funding is already approved by National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the federal agency that works in partnership with American groups to conserve and sustain natural resources.

The four phases of the project will include 1) the Main Street dam closest to the Providence River, 2) the Slater Mill dam, 3) Elizabeth Webbing dam, and 4) the Valley Mill Dam. 

This would open 11 miles of river to herring which will find spawning habitat in various tributaries along the river, and stretch to the Lonsdale Marsh.

The Blackstone River Watershed Council is a nonprofit, all volunteer corporation devoted to the restoration and continuous preservation of the Blackstone River.



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