Expanded,
Revamped Boat Ramps At Watchaug Pond, Indian Lake Reopen In Time For Father's
Day
EDITOR'S NOTE: see my detailed notes at the end of this article showing this project would not have happened if Charlestown's state Rep. Flip Filippi had gotten his way. - W. ColletteThe Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced that improvements to freshwater boat ramps at Watchaug Pond in Charlestown and Indian Lake in South Kingstown are complete.
Construction on the projects began
on April 16 with work wrapping up in time for Father's Day weekend – a popular
time for fishing and boating.
The
new boat ramps will provide boaters and anglers with improved access to two of
Rhode Island's most popular boating and fishing areas. The existing ramps at
both sites were replaced by new concrete boat ramps, measuring 12 feet in
width. As an added amenity, DEM also installed a new, six-foot by 20-foot
timber floating dock at each site.
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 installed at Watchaug Pond and Indian Lake, along with a new timber
floating dock.
Recreational
boating and fishing are ingrained in the culture of the Ocean State. They also
are important economic drivers: 54,000 boats use Rhode Island waters each year,
including more than 40,000 registered in Rhode Island.
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.
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.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Charlestown's peripatetic state Rep. Blake "Flip" Filippi attempted to REPEAL the state license fees that funded these improvements DESPITE overwhelming support FOR the license fees from every organized fishing group in the state. - Will Collette
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.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Charlestown's peripatetic state Rep. Blake "Flip" Filippi attempted to REPEAL the state license fees that funded these improvements DESPITE overwhelming support FOR the license fees from every organized fishing group in the state. - Will Collette
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.
Related links