Digital Extra

The daily report from the pages of the Journal-Bulletin

J u n e  1 9 9 6  S t o r i e s

6/25: Fishing ban finally ready to be lifted
PROVIDENCE -- The final restrictions on fishing stemming from the North Cape oil spill were set to be lifted today, ending a five-month series of closures that stretched the resources of state and federal environmental agencies but appeared to be successful in protecting the reputation of Rhode Island's seafood.

6/21: Experts to fish farmers: R.I. could be your oyster
NEWPORT -- When Robert Rheault's Spatco Co. first proposed growing oysters in a South County salt pond, he said it took him 24 months to get state permits to lease a section of water just 50 feet square.

6/14: Senate approves stricter oil rules
Rigorous regulations for the oil-barge industry sailed through the Senate yesterday, drawing complaints from the industry's trade group that Rhode Island's approach is "flawed" and that the state is treating barge operators unfairly.

6/13: Senate bill requires double hulls on barges
The state Senate is placing the final touches on major oil-spill legislation that lawmakers have showcased as Rhode Island's response to the January grounding of the North Cape oil barge.

6/11: DEM chief denies conflict of interest
Timothy R.E. Keeney, director of the state Department of Environmental Management, played a key role during the last two weeks in getting the General Assembly to tone down legislation aimed at increasing safety in the delivery of oil and gas through Rhode Island waters.

6/7: Task force set up to look at barge safety
Prompted by the outcry over the North Cape oil spill and proposed new legislative mandates in three states, the Coast Guard and the barge industry announced plans this week to convene a special task force to review tug and barge operations throughout New England.

6/7: Senate approves three oil spill bills
The Senate yesterday approved three of four bills in a legislative package intended to protect Rhode Island from oil spills like the Jan. 19 North Cape disaster.

6/5: Chafee: Senate should pass oil spill legislation this month.
For oil shippers who equip their tankers with double hulls before 2015, Chafee's bill would limit the shipper's liability or damage from oil spills.

6/5: The ban on lobstering is slowly being lifted
In what state officials hope will be the final step before complete reopening of the fisheries, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced Monday that it had lifted the ban on lobstering south and east of Block Island.