Outdoors in RI: Time to Seastreak – Vets Access – Invasive Alerts – Clays 4 Charity at The Preserve – 2A TODAY

For Outdoors in RI it will be a delightful week ahead. Consistent weather with highs in the low 80s. Remember your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and some of the new items like portable, wearable fans and cooling items.

We start out with a fun venture – for today is the opening of the Providence to Newport ferry, leaving from India Point in Providence. Opening will be official today with the Governor’s presentation at 10:30am. Somewhere in your summer plans – (try midweek?) – work this in – a nice trip over, and back – maybe bring your camera and send us some pix?  Source here:  https://seastreak.com

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Free Golf,  Goddard Park Golf Course Fee Exemption for Totally Disabled Veterans:  

Rhode Island resident Veterans who have a 100% permanent and total, service-connected disability rating from the VA are exempt from paying any fees to play golf at the Goddard Park Golf Course. For more information call the Clubhouse at Goddard Memorial State Park through the 3rd Saturday in November at 884-9834 or year-round at Division Headquarters at 401-6676200.

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Free Rhode Island Hunting and Fishing Licenses for 100% Disabled Veterans:

A Veteran who has a 100% disability rating from the VA is eligible for free Rhode Island hunting and fishing licenses.

No cost licenses are available if you are:

• over 65 AND a Rhode Island resident
• a veteran with 100% disability status from the Department of Veterans Affairs
• a person with 100% total disability status from the Social Security Administration

To apply in person at DEM, please bring a photo ID and an ORIGINAL

DOCUMENT OF THE FINAL DECISION(S). Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. (directions)

To apply by mail, please complete an application and mail the application and a copy of your photo ID and the ORIGINAL DOCUMENT OF THE FINAL DECISION(S). Please allow two weeks for processing. The address to obtain your license in person or by mail is:
DEM Licensing Office
, 235 Promenade Street, Room 360
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-3576

To purchase online, you will be required to certify that you have:

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT OF THE FINAL DECISION(S). You will also be required to enter the date the decision expires. The Department will audit compliance with the certification and may, at any time, request a copy of the current DOCUMENT OF THE FINAL DECISION(S). Failure to submit the documentation by the date requested may result in the suspension of your fishing and hunting license. Also, Rhode Island General Law 11-18-1 prohibits giving false documents to an agent, employee, or public official. The penalty is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to one year.

Rhode Island Hunting and Fishing Benefits for Service Members and Veterans: Rhode Island offers several hunting and fishing benefits to Service members and Veterans. A short description of each is listed below. Applicants are required to show documentation proving eligibility when they apply:

• Active-Duty Service members – Military ID
• Veterans – DD214
• Disabled Veterans – VA Disability Certification Letter ( Contact VA office)

Applicants can apply online at Rhode Island Outdoors, in person at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Office of Boating Registration and Licenses in Providence (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.), at an Authorized In–Person Sales Agent, or they can mail applications to: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
, 235 Promenade Street, Room 360, 
Providence, RI 02908
, Phone: 401-222-3576

Learn more about FREE Rhode Island Hunting , Fishing, State Parks, and Golf  Benefits for Service Members and Veterans

https://dem.ri.gov/about–us/dem–offices/boating–registration–licenses/rhodeislandoutdoors#:~:text=If%20you%20qualify%20for%20a,that%20issued%20the%20disability%20decision.

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Free Rhode Island State Park Passes for 100% Disabled Veterans:

Rhode Island offers the State Park Disability Pass for use at any state-owned recreational facility to disabled Veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA.

The State Park Disability Pass authorizes free admission and parking but does not exempt the following:

• Licensing fees
• Camping fees
• Picnic table fees
• Specialized facility use fees
• Use of equestrian areas
• Performing art centers
• Game fields fees
• Mule shed fees

If the disabled Veteran cannot drive, the vehicle transporting the Veteran will not be charged.

Veterans must apply in person at the Rhode Island State Parks and Recreation Headquarters and are required to show official documentation (dated within the past year) from the VA that states they have a 100% service-connected disability. Rhode Island State Parks and Recreation Headquarters
, 1100 Tower Hill Road
, North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: 401-6676200
Email:dem.riparks@dem.ri.gov

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Aquatic Weed Treatment for AL Mowry Pond in Smithfield

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) treated A.L. Mowry Pond in Smithfield on Thursday, June 19 to control invasive aquatic plants. Anglers and boaters should avoid using this pond for a few days. Signs will be posted with temporary water use restrictions. Residents and visitors should keep pets from drinking the water for at least three days.

This treatment targeted invasive plants including variable water milfoil, fanwort, water chestnut, waterlily, and common reed. It will not harm fish or other aquatic life. A.L. Mowry is a fly fishing only pond that is popular with anglers. It is stocked with trout several times during trout season.

Invasive aquatic plants are harmful to fishing, boating, swimming and impacts wildlife management. To prevent their spread, using external felt-soled waders or any porous material that absorb water is strictly prohibited in all RI freshwater, including any waters shared with adjacent states where RI fishing regulations apply. Transporting plants in or out of RI waterbodies on boats, vehicles, trailers, and gear is prohibited. Boaters must clean all equipment, vehicles and gear before and after entering any freshwater. For more on stopping the spread of aquatic invasives, click here.

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Avoiding Contact with Slack Reservoir, Smithfield/Johnston

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Slack Reservoir in Smithfield/Johnston due to harmful algae blooms (HABs). HABs are caused by blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which are naturally present in bodies of water. HABs can produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by DEM at this location.

Use caution in all areas of Slack Reservoir as HABs can move locations in ponds and lakes. All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk to health and recommended to be avoided at this location. People should not drink untreated water or eat fish from affected waterbodies. Pet owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in this water. This advisory recommendation remains in effect until further notice.

Skin contact with water containing blue-green algae can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at higher risk for health effects associated with HABs because they are more likely to swallow water when they are in or around bodies of water. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

If you or your pet come into contact with an algal bloom (HAB):

• Rinse your skin with clean water right away.
• Shower and wash your cloths when you get home.
• If your pet was exposed, wash it with clean water immediately and don’t let it lick algae from its fur.
• Call a vet if your pet shows signs of illness like tiredness, no eating, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms within a day.
• If you feel sick after contact, call a healthcare provider.

Other HABs may be affecting other waterbodies in Rhode Island. Affected waters might look bright to dark green, with thick algae floating on the surface. It may resemble green paint, pea soup, or green cottage cheese. If you see water like this, people and pets should avoid contact with the water.

To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 Press 6 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom. For more information and the Cyanobacteria Tracker Dashboard that lists current advisories and data, visit: www.dem.ri.gov/bluegreen

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Watch out for The Spotted Lantern Fly

Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees. When the spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sticky, sugary fluid that causes sooty mold, which can further damage plants. Its preferred host is tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and today 18 States have some degree of infestation. Yes, it is in Rhode Island!

The spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiking pest that is native to Asia. It lays its eggs on any hard surface including grills, vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor furniture, bikes and toys. The pest was first detected in 2014 in Pennsylvania. It likely arrived in the United States on goods shipped from overseas.

The spotted lanternfly can harm our fruit and forest industries. Early detection is a critical step to mitigating economic and ecological losses. Residents in SLF quarantine areas should check outdoor items before traveling to new areas. Here’s what to look for (2.75 MB):

• Appearance
  • Nymphs (juvenile spotted lanternflies) are black with white spots and turn red as they develop.
  • Adults, roughly 1-inch long and 1/2-inch wide, have a yellow, black-barred abdomen. With large, visually striking wings, adult spotted lanternflies can be easier to spot than other pests. They have brown forewings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. Their hind wings are scarlet with black spots at the front and white and black bars at the rear.
• Eggs
  • Newly laid egg masses (holding 30-50 eggs) resemble wet, gray putty before turning dull and brown, mirroring a smear of cracked mud. The 1-inch long egg masses can be seen in fall, winter, and spring on a variety of smooth surfaces, such as trees, bricks, stones, fences, grills, equipment, and vehicles.
• Oozing sap
  • When spotted lanternflies feed on plants, they leave behind a sticky, oozing residue called honeydew. This substance attracts other insects, causes mold growth, and further hurts plants.
• Fermented odor
  • As honeydew ferments, it can develop an intense, rotten smell.
• Tree-of-heaven
  • One of the best places to look for these pests is on a tree-of-heaven, a favorite plant for spotted lanternflies. The tree has a cantaloupe-like texture, with bark that appears light brown to gray. The leaves are large, 1 to 4 feet in length. These leaves are made up of many smaller leaflets on both sides of a central stem.
• Habits
  • Spotted lanternflies (both nymphs and adults) frequently gather in large numbers when feeding. They’re easiest to spot at dusk or at night as they migrate up and down the trunk of a plant. During the day, they tend to cluster near the base or canopy of a plant, making them more difficult to see.

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3rd Annual Clays 4 Charity for US military charities

Supporting military charities, the charity event at the beautiful Preserve Sporting Club and Resort will be held on June 28th – refer to our article, below, for details – join in if you can!

Adam Vinatieri hosts 3rd annual Clays 4 Charity at The Preserve – for US military charities

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2A Update – Vote may come TODAY at the RI Legislature

The RI legislature is doing its thing again – a bad bill worked its way through the House and Senate – then a Sub A was added and no one likes the bill – 2A supporters even more opposed and the gun control advocates don’t like it either.  See our article following this through the legislature.  Whether or not it will come out for a vote TODAY – what could be the last day of the session is anyone’s guess – but might be a good one.  Not too late for social media posts and phone calls for those so inclined.  Expect a swift challenge on constitutionality on this one!

UPDATED: 15 Rhode Island cities/towns opposed assault weapons bill that passed House Judiciary