The property contains forested wetlands and some vernal pools. Along with tall white pines, the forest overstory is dominated by three species of oak: northern red oak, white oak, and scarlet oak; as well as American beech with some ash, red maple, black birch, tupelo, and big-toothed aspen.
Quonochontaug Breachway has been dredged! Phase two of this project is salt marsh planting. The Salt Pond’s Coalition’s project partner, Save the Bay, is coordinating the salt marsh planting effort. On Thursday, May 16, Bob Petrone created another informative video of the experts explaining Phase Two of the Quonnie Dredging project:
This past winter Robert Petrone created four educational videos to inform the viewer about the dredging process of Quonnie and Ningret Ponds. CCA shared all four videos. Bob has now […]
The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives. It passed the Senate last week. Next it goes to President Trump for his signature! Press release from U.S. Representative Jim Langevin.
Thanks to Bob Petrone for this video. Dredge material from Quonochontaug Pond and Ninigret Pond is being distributed to Quonnie’s salt marshes and Charlestown Beach.
The feasibility study, is the first phase in fulling the state’s goal of a coastal bike route linking Westerly with Narragansett and points north. The result is a very professional examination of the potential for a coastal bike route.
Thanks to Bob Petrone for sharing another informative video! On Friday, December 14, J. F. Brennan Company gave Bob Petrone, and Art Ganz and Richard Sarter of the Salt Ponds […]
Thanks to Bob Petrone for this 4 minute video showing the launch of the second dredging machine at the Quonochontaug Breachway. Jeremy Walker of JF Brennan appears at the end of the video with a brief description of their work mission.
Dredging operations will occur 24 hours/day, 6 days/week. The crew has been instructed to maintain public access to the pond. The most significant interruptions to public access will likely occur when the cranes are on site deploying and removing the dredging equipment. It is anticipated that dredging operations will be completed by the end of January.
Thanks to Bob Petrone who compiled this video slide show of Quonnie over the last twelve months. Bob captures Quonnie’s character and charm during all four seasons. This year he […]
All of these events were possible because the citizens of Charlestown rose up in the winter of 2016 to fight off the RR proposal and they were led by Lee, Carroccia,Van Slyke and Platner. As we go to vote this week, I hope we all congratulate ourselves for fighting for what we love about Charlestown and say thank you as we vote.
Incredibly (and we do not use that word lightly) Charlestown managed to back down potential supporters of the Bypass in the federal delegation, enlist the support of key environmental groups which stayed on the sidelines in every other state on Northeast Corridor, and most importantly, they convinced Governor Raimondo to oppose the plan.
I will vote for candidates based on their character, and what they can offer our town, in keeping with its rural character and charm. I will vote for Charlestown Citizens Alliance-endorsed candidates Virginia Lee, Julie Carroccia and Bonnie Van Slyke, who worked to defeat the train for all Charlestown residents, and who saved my home, as well as our community.
If you like Charlestown as it is, continue supporting a council that has worked to maintain that character; the low taxes but quality education, open space that preserves our resources and provides habitat and recreation, that believes in listening to people as evidenced by their going door-to door to get individuals’ views of as many residents as they can and asking their concerns, and being civil and responsible.
While the news and television advertisements are focused on our national and state elections, I find that my quality of daily life in Charlestown is most affected by the type of candidates elected to local office. Fortunately, the Charlestown Town Council circus that once made Charlestown the political laughing stock of the state has dramatically changed for the better.
These are but two glaring examples that compelled Charlestown voters to oust them and strongly contributed to CCA’s success at the ballot box, which has resulted in exemplary leadership over the past eight years. Now, vestiges of that same group have the gumption to make their primary position in this year’s election, “Bring back open and transparent government.” I trust that Charlestown voters will not be fooled again. It’s simply a matter of “old wine in new bottles.”
The staff at Town Hall and our town solicitor have been diligently working to implement the numerous updates to ensure each eligible Charlestown veteran receives an equitable and accurate tax credit adjustment to their property taxes. Because the legislation was passed in late June and the tax credits also need to be funded, the earliest the adjustment can occur is fiscal year 2019.
Julie Carroccia, Virginia Lee, Bonnie Van Slyke, David Wilkinson, and Bill Wilson are proven leaders whose education, experience, and integrity prepare them to best represent you as Charlestown Town Councilors.
Frosty Drew Observatory’s dynamic program is drawing people in from all over New England to Charlestown to experience our dark sky. This Rhode Island Monthly magazine story describes the amazing view of Saturn that you can see through Frosty Drew’s telescopes.
Great article in So Rhode Island magazine about Charlestown’s dark skies. “Frosty Drew sits in a wide-open park, surrounded by protected federal lands with nothing beyond but the big, wide Atlantic Ocean. What this means for stargazers is the right kind of darkness, a field of stars relatively unmarred by man-made light. You can even get a look at the Andromeda Galaxy – which will be in prime viewing over Rhode Island in October”
On October 2nd, on the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act – created by Congress to preserve rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations – U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the introduction of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act (S. 3533 and H.R. 6950).
When: Sunday, August 26, at 2PM
Where: Meet at the Preserve’s Railroad Ave Parking lot in Carolina
What: The parking lot is complete, the trails are marked, the Preserve is now open
Who: Join the Charlestown Conservation Commission and the Charlestown Land Trust for the grand opening of this beautiful preserve to the public
In this video noted biologist, Ginger Brown, describes why protecting the rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed is important because they have the largest populations of dragonflies and damselflies.
In this video series, US Fish and Wildlife Service tells the story of the Pawcatuck River from formation to restoration. The Pawcatuck River forms the entire northern border of Charlestown.
The last time fish could migrate unimpeded on the Pawcatuck River, the United States was not yet a nation. George Washington was a surveyor, not a general or a president. But now, thanks to The Nature Conservancy, the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association, and other groups, the Pawcatuck River is ready for this year’s herring and shad runs — all 34 miles are passable for the first time in US history!
Town writes to FCC in opposition to new radio tower, citing procedural, environmental, and historic preservation issues.
The deadline to send your own comments is Tuesday March 27.
Why: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has proposed opening up waters off Rhode Island and the rest of New England, to oil and gas exploration and production.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: North side of the Rhode Island State House.
Attend the Environmental Council of Rhode Island Press Conference just prior to the Rally
When: Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 3:15 p.m.,
Where: The State Room at the State House
Invenergy writes to EFSB: “the Water Supply Agreement between the Narragansett Indian Tribe and Clear River Energy LLC, executed on September 19, 2017, has been terminated and is null and void”
Citing several concerns, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced his opposition to the construction of the Invenergy power plant in Burrillville and his intention to seek permission from the Court to file an amicus brief in Rhode Island Superior Court challenging the plant’s water-supply plan.
The following letter was submitted to the Energy Facility Siting Board on the subject of water withdrawal to cool Invenergy’s power plant, and is shared with us here by the […]
