Improvements at Echo Lake boat ramp slated for next fall
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental
Management (DEM) announces that construction of freshwater boat ramp
improvements will begin on April 16 at Watchaug Pond in Charlestown and Indian
Lake in South Kingstown.
The existing ramps at both sites will be replaced by new
concrete boat ramps, measuring 12 feet in width.
As an added amenity, DEM will
also install a new, six-foot by 20-foot timber floating dock at each site.
The projects will provide boaters and anglers with
improved access to two of Rhode Island's most popular boating and fishing
areas. Both sites will be closed during construction. The boat ramps at
Watchaug Pond and Indian Lake are expected to be completed by mid-June.
A third boat ramp improvement project, at Echo Lake in
Glocester, is planned for the fall. The existing ramp will be replaced with a
boat ramp identical to those being installed at Watchaug Pond and Indian Lake,
along with a new timber floating dock.
As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in
the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature,
promoting health, and attracting tourism.
According to the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age
16+) in Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130
million to the economy each year.
The freshwater boat ramp improvements were designed by DEM
Planning and Development and The Nature Conservancy staff. The contractor for
the three projects is Beausoleil Bros. Inc. of Cranston.
Funding for these improvements is being provided by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration program.
The total cost
of construction for the three projects is $420,000.
The Sport Fish Restoration
Program is a user-pay, user-benefit program that is derived from taxes on
motorboat fuel, fishing equipment and the purchase of some boats.
The Watchaug
Pond, Indian Lake, and Echo Lake boat ramp projects are excellent examples of
how those taxes are used for public benefit to improve and increase boating
access to the waters of the state.
A portion of the national funding is
dedicated to Rhode Island DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife, specifically for
boating access.
For a list of public boat launching sites in Rhode Island,
visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for more information on boating in Rhode Island
as well as other timely updates.
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