City & Government

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that it has implemented changes to the lifeguard certification process to make it easier for candidates to apply. DEM hopes the changes will increase the number of lifeguard applicants and its ability to keep beaches supervised and protected. This will be a multiyear process, and DEM will be implementing two changes before the traditional full certification test in August. Below are the changes for 2022:
o Any lifeguard who currently holds a full certification that’s due to expire on Sept. 30, 2022, will be exempt from taking a test this month. DEM will be extending the expiration of their current state certification until June 15, 2023. These eligible candidates will receive notification for their records.
o Any lifeguard who presently holds a conditional certification is still required to attend the August certification. However, these candidates will be tested only on the swim portion. They will not need to demonstrate rescue skills at that time.
Certification for 2023 will take place in the spring of 2023 and require a demonstration of rescue skills and the completion of the endurance swim. The endurance swim may be performed in a pool before the certification or may be completed at the time of the certification testing in the spring of 2023. There will no longer be any testing in August after 2022.
Below are the changes that will take effect in 2023:
o The allowable endurance swim distance will be 400 meters or 440 yards. The endurance swim still must be completed in under 10 minutes and with only a forward-facing swim stroke.
o The endurance swim may be performed in a pool before attending a testing date for state certification. You may perform this endurance swim in any state in which you reside or attend school between March 2023 and the date you intend to attend the state certification test. The endurance swim must be performed in front of an approved aquatic examiner who will attest and complete a proof of endurance swim form. DEM is developing this form and will define who may be considered an approved aquatic examiner. The form will be housed in the Lifeguard Certification Portal.
o At the time of the state certification test, you will be required to present the proof of endurance swim form along with all other required forms and certifications (first aid, CPR, lifeguard training) and the completed lifeguard certification form to DEM.
o If you do not complete the endurance swim before the state certification test or if you fail to provide a properly executed proof of endurance swim form you will be required to perform the endurance swim on the state certification test date.
o All candidates are required to register for a specific testing time via the Lifeguard Certification Portal. Walk-ins will be allowed as testing schedule dictates. If you need to perform the endurance swim at the state certification test, we recommend the use of a wetsuit if you have concerns about the water temperature.
o Starting in the spring of 2023, state certification test dates will be expanded to include later hours, as well as weekend testing dates to better accommodate candidates’ schedules.
To review any changes, please review on our website. For questions, please contact the DEM Division of Parks and Recreation by phone at 401-667-6200 or DEM.RIparks@dem.ri.gov. DEM continues to accept applications for seasonal positions including qualified lifeguards for state beach facilities. Positions are still available at many locations throughout the state. All lifeguard positions require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and lifesaving.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing Lincoln Woods State Park Beach in Lincoln for swimming because of high bacteria levels. RIDOH recommends reopening the Surfer’s Rock end of Sachuest Beach (also known as Second Beach) in Middletown for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels.
RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line (401-222-2751). A list of closed beaches can also be accessed at health.ri.gov.

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee signed an Executive Order today at Rocky Point Fishing Pier in Warwick establishing Sunday, July 31, as Rhode Island’s 33rd annual Governor’s Bay Day. The event includes free parking at all Rhode Island state surf beaches on July 31 and recreational saltwater fishing without having to purchase a saltwater fishing license on Friday, July 29, through Sunday, July 31.
Also, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will waive the roundtrip fare on all service to South County beaches on the Route 66 (URI/Galilee) Express Beach Bus. Route 66 (URI/Galilee) provides weekend-only express service from Central Falls, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket to Salty Brine, Roger Wheeler (Sand Hill Cove), and Scarborough State Beaches. Service to the beach will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Governor and Lt. Governor will take the Express Beach Bus from Providence to Roger Wheeler on Sunday morning.
“Governor’s Bay Day is one of the summer’s best traditions and a chance for Rhode Islanders to get out and enjoy our beautiful state surf beaches at no cost,” said Governor McKee. “We’re also lucky to live in a place with some of the best fishing anywhere. I invite experienced anglers to consider taking a beginner out and helping them cast their first line in Narragansett Bay this weekend.”
“Promoting equal access to our shores is a uniquely Rhode Island value. I encourage all Rhode Islanders to take advantage of the opportunities that Governor’s Bay Day affords to access facilities and activities that might not always be conveniently available to everyone,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “And whether you’re heading to the beach for a swim or to the nearest pier to drop a fishing line in the saltwater, please be careful around water!”
“Rocky Point is a crown jewel of Warwick and the Rocky Point fishing pier is a crown jewel of Rhode Island recreational saltwater fishing,” said Representative Joseph J. Solomon. “I hope that all Rhode Islanders will get to experience the joy of fishing on Narragansett Bay this Governor’s Bay Day.”
“As we celebrate Narragansett Bay, our state’s picturesque coastlines, and going to the beach and boating and fishing, we should also recognize that as a state, Rhode Island continues to invest in facilities to expand public shoreline and fishing access,” said Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey. “The Rocky Point pier was largely financed by green bond funding approved by voters. There will be another green bond referendum question on the ballot in November and I urge Rhode Islanders to remember how much good we can accomplish through these investments.”
“Narragansett Bay is the centerpiece of our Rhode Island environment and the core of many aspects of our quality of life here,” said Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terry Gray. “Many, many DEM programs focus on protecting and restoring the water quality in the bay, as well as enjoying time out on the water boating, fishing, or simply enjoying the view from one of our beautiful shoreside parks and beaches. Our progress has been amazing but looking back on the start of Governor’s Bay Day, it originated from a disaster – the 1989 grounding of the tanker World Prodigy about a mile from Brenton Point State Park in Newport. The collision caused around 300,000 gallons of oil to spill and wash ashore, devastating wildlife and marine ecosystems. Bay Day began that same year to showcase the beauty of Narragansett Bay and highlight the threats it faces. DEM takes this moment to celebrate our natural resources while recognizing their fragility and the challenges facing environmental stewards to protect them.”
“Fishing appeals to our sense of adventure, teaches us patience, and teaches us how to take care of the environment,” said Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) Executive Director Greg Vespe. “RISAA and the State of Rhode Island share common values and goals aligned on ensuring clean water to fish in and access to recreational opportunities for all. Here’s hoping that Governor’s Bay Day helps spark a new generation of anglers and ecological stewards who will love Narragansett Bay and preserve it for future generations.”
Parking will be free at all state surf beaches:
• Charlestown Breachway and East Beach – Charlestown
• East Matunuck – South Kingstown
• Misquamicut State Beach – Westerly
• Roger W. Wheeler, Salty Brine,
Scarborough North, and Scarborough South – Narragansett
Governor’s Bay Day encourages families to enjoy Rhode Island’s outdoor public spaces and engage in an active lifestyle while also highlighting the economic value of our natural resources. Rhode Island’s natural and public assets – including eight surf beaches, 8,200 acres of parkland, 1,000 campsites, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails, 200 fishing spots, and 25 parks and nature preserves – are magnets, attracting more than 9 million Rhode Islanders and tourists a year. They’re also an engine that adds an estimated $315 million to the economy, generating nearly $40 million in state and local taxes and supporting nearly 4,000 jobs a year.
Saltwater fishing also is an important driver for the state’s economy. There are around 175,000 recreational anglers in Rhode Island and recreational saltwater fishing adds more than $130 million to the economy annually. While the free fishing day provides an opportunity for everyone to fish without a license, it also serves as a reminder that saltwater licenses are required on every day except on Bay Day, and that the license program provides vital support for Rhode Island’s recreational fishing interests.
The Governor’s team will share information on this event using the hashtag #GovBayDay on social media.

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that his Administration is allocating over $11 million in resources from the Consolidated Homeless Fund (CHF) to 27 nonprofit agencies to assist Rhode Islanders who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. CHF brings together various funding sources, including local, state, and federal dollars, in a single coordinated effort to support homeless programs.
“Addressing the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and identifying affordable, permanent housing solutions continues to be a top priority of the McKee-Matos Administration. We could not do this important work without the dedicated service providers who step in up remarkable ways to support this population,” said Governor McKee. “I also thank Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for supporting this program and for their partnership in taking bold action to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis in our 2023 State budget.”
CHF provides grant funds primarily to nonprofit organizations that provide services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.
Eligible Activities:
– Essential Services – Support for individuals and families who are in an emergency shelter.
– Renovation Costs – Major rehabilitation costs of shelters or conversions of buildings into a shelter.
– Shelter Operations – Maintenance (including minor or routine repairs), rent, security, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, food, furnishings, staffing and supplies necessary for the operation of the emergency shelter.
– Rapid Rehousing/State Rental Assistance – Housing relocation and stabilization services and short and/or medium-term rental assistance as necessary to help a homeless individual or family move as quickly as possible into permanent housing.
– Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) Lead Eligible Costs – Costs of contributing data to the HMIS designated by the Continuum of Care.
“Community-based service providers, who work tirelessly to provide both shelter and a path to stability for unhoused Rhode Islanders, are vital to our efforts to end homelessness. Today’s grants will allow them to further serve the clients who rely on them,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “We are going to continue to invest in structured supports at every level to ensure housing is accessible to every Rhode Islander. Thank you to the organizations across the state whose care and commitment have protected families throughout the pandemic.”
“Thanks to Governor McKee’s leadership, we are making a monumental investment through the Consolidated Homeless Fund that will better serve individuals and families in crisis,” said Rhode Island Secretary of Housing Josh Saal. “The flexibility provided through the CHF will enable service providers to maintain and expand homeless shelter resources, expand emergency services for high need populations, offer rental assistance, and carry out other necessary programs to ensure that we make homelessness a brief and rare occurrence.”
Agencies receiving new CHF grant funding:
Amos House
Better Lives RI
Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center
Catholic Social Services
Child and Family Services
Community Action partnership of Providence County
Community Care Alliance
Crossroads RI
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Elizabeth Buffum Chace
Family Services of RI
Foster Forward
House of Hope
Housing Network of RI
Lucy’s Hearth
McAuley Ministries
Newport Mental Health
One Neighborhood Builders
Providence Community Health Centers
RI Coalition to End Homelessness
Sojourner House
THRIVE
Tri- County Community Action Program
Turning Around Ministries
WARM
Washington Services Corporation
Welcome House
Today’s announcement continues the McKee-Matos Administration’s ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness and creating permanent, affordable housing opportunities for Rhode Islanders experiencing housing insecurity. In May, the Governor announced the 2022 Landlord Incentive Program that provides financial incentives to landlords who rent a habitable dwelling to individuals and families who have been challenged in finding a safe, clean, and affordable home. The Governor also recently signed the FY 2023 state budget that includes a $250 million historic investment to support housing at all levels, including supports for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that two sections of the East Bay Bike Path will be closed for construction projects during the week of July 18-22. The first, for bike path asphalt repair, could cause a possible lane closure on Crescent View Avenue in Riverside. The second project, involving the Bristol County Water Authority’s installation of a new water main, could result in a partial closure of the path just south of Aaron Avenue in Bristol.
Tree root growth underneath the bike path has caused “pavement heave” on the section requiring repairs in Riverside. Ruts have formed with the compacted roots forcing the pavement to lift and crack, creating safety concerns for bike path users. The repairs on the path will be between Crescent View Avenue and Lincoln Avenue and drivers should be aware that this could result in traffic back-ups.
The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) plans to install a new water main to connect the northern end of Shore Road to the western end of Aaron Avenue in Bristol. This will require a trench of around 400 feet long to be installed in a bike path right-of-way. While most of the work will be completed using safety fencing and maintaining full use of the bike path for pedestrians and cyclists, there will be some days when partial closure of the path will be required. During these times, BCWA will maintain alternating pedestrian traffic in the work zone with lane closure detail from DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.