News

PROVIDENCE, RI – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) are advising the public that a Great Black-Backed Gull that was found seriously ill on a beach in South Kingstown on June 23 has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The wildlife officials also are announcing that the dead Shearwaters recently found on Rhode Island beaches that were tested for HPAI came back negative. Following up on their advisory last month, they recommend that the public stays clear of sick or dead birds on seashores and reports any cases of waterbird deaths to the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife by clicking here.
A relatively small number of waterbirds such as Cormorants, Gulls, Shearwaters, and Terns washing up dead on beaches is normal in the summer, but in the past six weeks multiple locations along the Atlantic Coast, including Rhode Island, have seen higher than usual numbers. DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, which is collecting reports from the public, currently counts 40 dead waterbirds reported this summer, excluding the separate mortality event of Shearwaters that is now thought to be unrelated to HPAI. Wildlife biologists advise, however, that reports coming in from the public tend to be underestimated, especially if there is not a large die-off of birds.
While risk of HPAI to humans is low, the public is urged not to touch dead birds and to keep dogs on leashes and away from carcasses. State, federal, and non-government conservation organizations are continuing to collaborate to test a sample of specimens and are actively monitoring beaches. RIDEM, USFWS, and partners will keep the public updated with any further developments.
“Avian influenza refers to disease in birds caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses,” states the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC site continues: “Avian influenza A viruses have been isolated from more than 100 different species of wild birds around the world. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.”
Avian influenza occurs in both low and high pathogenic forms, which refer to the severity of the disease and how likely it is to result in death of poultry. Most avian influenzas are low pathogenic and cause minimal death and disease to infected birds. In 2020, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus emerged in Europe and Central Asia and spread to North America in December 2021. The last outbreak of HPAI in the United States was in 2017. HPAI causes high mortality rates in poultry and has severely affected nesting seabirds in Europe. Since its arrival in North America, HPAI has been detected in the United States and Canada. Conservation organizations are particularly concerned about the potential for outbreaks to jeopardize imperiled waterbird species with already small populations such as Piping Plovers, Red Knots, and Roseate Terns. HPAI also can affect mammals, and a recent seal die-off in Maine has been attributed to the virus. Symptoms of infected birds can include neurological issues such as imbalance, inability to fly, and respiratory distress.
What the public can do:
HPAI continues to be a risk for domestic and wild birds. People with poultry/backyard flocks should disinfect shoes/boots before visiting and coming back from beaches, parks, and refuges. For more information on HPAI including FAQs, click here. If a dead bird is found, you can report the siting to the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife by clicking here.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI – Governor Dan McKee joined the Quonset Development Corporation and state and local officials on Tuesday morning to cut the ribbon on the modernized Pier 2 at Quonset’s Port of Davisville.
The $83.1 million expansion and modernization will extend the life of the Pier by 50 years and was completed $7 million under budget. The project was funded by a bond approved by Rhode Island voters in 2016, Quonset port users and the QDC itself. By extending Pier 2 by 232 feet, creating a third berthing space and dredging the port to accommodate larger ships, the expansion will allow Davisville to continue its auto import success and prepare for future wind energy projects.
“Quonset’s Port of Davisville is a tangible example of Rhode Island’s economic momentum and investing in Quonset is investing in good paying Rhode Island jobs,” said Governor McKee. “I’m proud to cut the ribbon at Pier 2 and I’m looking forward to seeing the new $60 million investment my Administration secured in this year’s budget to ensure Quonset continues to be an economic driver for the state, positioning us to continue leading the nation in the race for offshore wind.”
As offshore wind developers pursue federal permits for construction off the New England coast, Rhode Island needs to continue preparing to accommodate increased activity. That’s why the FY23 budget that Governor McKee recently signed makes a $60 million infrastructure investment in the Port of Davisville enabling the construction of Terminal 5 Pier and completion of required dredging; preparation of about 34 acres to accommodate additional cargo laydown; and reconstruction and hardening of the existing surface of Pier 1. Together, these investments will accommodate the existing finished automobile importing and processing businesses that call the facility home, while expanding capacity specifically for the offshore wind developers.
The Quonset Business Park is a major driver of the state’s economy with more than 200 companies employing more than 12,000 people at the Business Park. Since 2005, nearly $3 billion in private investment has been made at Quonset. Today, one of six manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island is at Quonset. The Business Park also generates $1.3 billion in income annually for Rhode Island families, as well as $136 million in state and local taxes and PILOT payments.
The state’s only public port, Davisville supports nearly 1,700 direct jobs. Quonset’s Port of Davisville is one of the top 10 auto importers in North America and berths hundreds of ships per year.
“The Port of Davisville is one of Rhode Island’s top economic assets,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “The newest expansion of Pier 2 will create more jobs and allow more imports for decades to come. We are grateful to Steve King and the Quonset team’s dedicated work that positions Rhode Island to be a leader in wind energy.”
“The Port of Davisville is a global gateway to New England and an irreplaceable resource for Rhode Island. The expanded and modernized Pier 2 will position the Port as an even greater catalyst for economic growth in the decades to come, creating jobs and boosting a number of critical industries. As we position our state to be a 21st-century leader in the blue economy, this investment in our infrastructure is more essential than ever. I’m grateful to Steve King and his team for their incredible work at Quonset,” said Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio.
“The Pier 2 upgrades position Quonset to become a hub for the offshore wind industry, and the new berth creates an opportunity for more ships, jobs and revenue.” said Steven J. King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation. “Thank you to Governor McKee and our partners in state and local government for their continued support and investment in infrastructure at Quonset.”
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