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Tackling water pollution from sprawl
Sprawling development has a number of negative impacts on Rhode Island’s environment, from eating up scenic open space to more global warming pollution. Another negative impact of sprawl is the damage that it does to Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island’s rivers and streams.
Sprawling new development means more surfaces become covered with impervious materials like pavement and rooftops. These impenetrable surfaces channel rainwater away from the natural water cycle and create storm water runoff. As storm-water runoff travels over paved surfaces, it picks up pollutants and contaminants including harmful nutrients, toxic chemicals, disease-causing organisms, dirt and trash. The impacts of these pollutants on Rhode Island’s waters create conditions that can kill fish, close shellfish beds and decrease water clarity.
The good news is that Rhode Island can implement a solution this year to limit the impact that polluted runoff from new development will have on the bay and our rivers by implementing stronger runoff standards for new development. Environment Rhode Island is supporting legislation sponsored by Sen. Paul Moura (East Providence) and Rep. Ray Sullivan (West Greenwich, Coventry) that would raise Rhode Island’s runoff standards.
Gov. Carcieri plans to tackle sewage plant pollution
During Rhode Island’s annual State of the State address Gov. Donald Carcieri announced his plans to tackle pollution from sewage plants in Rhode Island; with an $85 million clean water bond that would appear on the 2008 ballot. EnvironmentRhode Island strongly supports the clean water bond and will work to ensure that it appears on the 2008 ballot for voter approval.
Pollution from aging sewage treatment plants are the largest source of nitrogen pollution in Narragansett Bay and a major clean water bond is exactly what is needed to make a major dent in this problem. Excessive nitrogen in the Bay can deplete oxygen levels, which can kill fish and shellfish.
Protecting our national parks
From Grand Canyon National Park to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to Glacier National Park, our national parks are visited by millions of people each year. Unfortunately, the parks system currently faces an annual funding shortfall of more than $800 million, an unacceptable lack of resources.
Environment Rhode Island is calling for a significant increase in funding for the parks. In early February, the president released his 2007 budget, which included an unprecedented $250 million increase to the National Park System. “The increase in funding is a great promise,” said Preservation Advocate Zach Brown. “We’re going to hold President Bush and other leaders to this promise.
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