5Q: Janet L. Coit

1 What initiatives are planned for 2016 to strengthen Rhode Island’s resiliency in the face of climate change?

Rhode Island continues to be out front in addressing climate change, and as the Ocean State – we are uniquely vulnerable. Assessing and mitigating this risk remain our focus. This year, a study is underway to evaluate and respond to climate-related impacts on wastewater-treatment facilities across the state. We are also part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative [to reduce] carbon dioxide emissions.

2 How does Prudence Island play a role in this effort?

The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve headquartered on Prudence comprises 4,200-plus acres of habitat across Prudence, Patience, Hope and Dyer islands. The reserve is a state-federal partnership where cutting-edge research is being conducted to support Rhode Island’s and our nation’s ability to adapt to climate change. Scientists are assessing the impacts of sea-level rise on salt marshes under the reserve’s sentinel site.

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3 Can you detail how your department will implement and enforce the state’s cesspool-phaseout law?

The new [law], which took effect [last] month, requires all remaining cesspools to be removed upon selling a house. … An estimated 1,200-plus cesspools will be upgraded annually – creating jobs, improving environmental conditions and increasing property values.

4 How do you expect this to affect the state’s clean-water resources?

Cesspools don’t treat wastewater; they merely dispose of it, releasing 80,000 times more bacteria than a conventional septic system. … Accelerating removal of cesspools reduces the risk of this contamination, and over time, better wastewater-treatment on-site and at treatment plants facilitates water-quality improvements, resulting in fewer beach closures and in reductions in shellfishing bans.

5 What sort of focus will be given to the state’s commercial fishing industry, and do you see this as an area of economic growth?

Yes, this is an area ripe for growth. Rhode Island has a diverse and dynamic commercial fishing and seafood industry. … In 2015, nearly 100 million pounds of seafood arrived at our ports, with an ex-vessel value [of more than] $75 million. … We created the R.I. Seafood brand to uniquely identify our seafood in the marketplace. •

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