01:00 AM EST on Sunday, January 2, 2005

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, facing few objections, has designated a long-term disposal site for dredged material from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. The site is 9 nautical miles south of Point Judith and 6.5 miles due east of Block Island.

The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers recommended the site last year after an extensive study that looked for an ocean-bottom location that would have the least impact on fish, marine mammals and other marine life.

The site is the same location that was used for the cleaner dredged materials that were taken off the bottom for the Providence River channel-dredging project.

"EPA has worked closely with the public and interested parties to ensure that we are protecting the ecological health of Rhode Island Sound, while also establishing a much-needed long-term disposal site for sediment dredged in the area," said Robert W. Varney, administrator of the EPA's New England office.

"It's important to maintain safe navigation for both commercial and recreational vessels, and our collaboration will ensure environmentally sensitive management of dredged material from the Rhode Island region," Varney said.

The Rhode Island Sound Disposal Site is one square nautical mile. It will be monitored on an ongoing basis, and dredge material will continue to be evaluated before being placed at the site. The site is expected to be in use for 20 years.

Congress authorized the Army Corps to select disposal sites for short-term uses. The EPA is authorized to make long-term site selections.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement and other data that led to the selection can be found at http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/ridredge/index.html. The decision to designate the site is available at the Federal Register Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2004/December/Day-16/w27439.htm. Copies of the study, site-monitoring plans and management plans also are available at municipal libraries in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Advocate urged for PUC position The Environment Council of Rhode Island along with the George Wiley Center and other social-justice groups recently called on Governor Carcieri to appoint a new Public Utilities Commission member who will actively support environmental and low-income protection policies.

The governor is expected to appoint a replacement for Commissioner Kate Racine, who recently resigned for personal reasons. Racine was viewed as a strong advocate for low-income ratepayers and for the environment during her term.

Sheila Dormandy, president of the council, said it is important for Carcieri to appoint a commissioner willing to support policies encouraging renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The George Wiley Center is concerned about families going without heat or electricity because of soaring energy prices coupled with reduced energy-assistance funding.

Advocates have tried to convince the PUC to implement rates that would allow low-income ratepayers to continue to receive service as long as they make payments proportionate to their incomes.

"The commission to date has rubber-stamped rate proposals put forth by the electric and gas companies without pressing them to build in some reasonable protections for low-income ratepayers," said Henry Shelton of the George Wiley Center. "We need someone at the commission that will really think through the impacts of having families in this state going without heat and electricity, and be fully engaged and supportive of policies that will protect these families from the cold and the dark."

Erich Stephens of People's Power & Light, a nonprofit energy company, said Carcieri signed the Renewable Energy Standard into law -- requiring the state to obtain a small percentage of its energy from renewable sources -- so he has already shown support for such initiatives.

Nominations due for Chafee awards The Environment Council of Rhode Island is inviting organizations to apply for the 2005 Sen. John H. Chafee Awards recognizing conservation achievement within Rhode Island.

U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee will present the hand-cast, bronze awards during a dinner in May.

One Chafee award will be presented to the organization that sponsors the most significant conservation project or program. Three additional Chafee awards will be presented to organizations that have completed outstanding projects or programs.

Applications and information may be obtained by calling the council at (401) 621-8048 or by going to the council's Web page at www.environmentcouncilri.org. All entries must be submitted by Feb. 21.

Harmony logger wins forest honor The Rhode Island Forest Conservators Organization recently gave its annual Friend of the Forest Award to Lee Baxter, a contract logger who lives in Harmony.

The award recognized Baxter for his high-quality, professional work in the woods. It noted that he carried out timber harvests in such a way as to protect and enhance the value of the forest.

Baxter was nominated by the Rhode Island Tree Farm Committee.

Baxter is a contract logger for Hull Forest Products in Pomfret, Conn. He is certified through the Southern New England Logger Education Program, which was established to promote the practice of sustainable forestry.

The conservators organization presented its annual Conservator of the Year Award to Tom Angell, of Scituate. Angell has served as chairman of the organization's Land Management Committee and has worked to improve the demonstration woodlot on Howard Hill Road in Foster. He is also active with the Scituate Land Trust and Conservation Commission.

The Environmental Journal is a listing of brief news items about the actions of individuals, organizations and businesses that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the landscape that surrounds us.

If you have comments or suggestions, please contact environment reporter Peter B. Lord at (401) 277-8036, by e-mail at plord [at] projo.com, or by writing him, care of The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.