Coast Guard seeks public input on wind farm safety zone
The Coast Guard is seeking public input on a proposed 500-yard safety zone for the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) by April 17.
The Coast Guard proposes to establish a 500-yard safety zone around each of five locations where the BIWF wind turbine generator (WTG) towers, nacelles, blades and subsea cables will be installed in the navigable waters of the Rhode Island Sound, from April 1 to October 31.
These safety zones are intended to safeguard mariners from the hazards associated with construction of the BIWF. Vessels would be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within these safety zones while construction vessels and associated equipment are present at any of the BIWF WTG sites, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Southeastern New England or the COTP's designated representative.
Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before April 17. The public may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2016-0026 using the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.
If you have questions about this proposed rulemaking, contact Mr. Edward G. LeBlanc, Chief of the Waterways Management Division at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at 401/435-2351, or email Edward.G.LeBlanc@uscg.mil.
Annual Kids Day at Addieville East Farms
The 16th Annual Kids Day at Addieville East Farm in Mapleville will take place Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children ages 10 and over may register but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children will learn the basics of fly casting , fly tying, fly fishing (in a trout stocked pond) and basic entomology.
The RI Department of Environmental Management, two Trout Unlimited Chapters and the United Fly Tyers of Rhode Island are co-sponsors of the event. Kid’s Day is free however all are urged to register in advance as space is limited.
Register with Kimberly Sullivan, 401/539-0037 or email kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov; or Jessica Pena, 401/539-0019 or email Jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov.
Wind Farm meeting April 5
The Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) will hold an update meeting on Tuesday, April 5 at 4 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, South County Commons, and South Kingstown. Agenda items will include the 2016 construction schedule, project crew vessels, the U.S.C.G. 500 yard safety zone and gear boundaries. A separate meeting regarding National Grid's sea2shore cable construction will follow with an announcement distributed as soon as the date is finalized. For information contact Elizabeth Marchetti, Fisheries Liaison at 401/954-2902.
Block Island Wind Farm cable construction
Kokosing Industrial will be conducting submarine cable installation work from April 1 through June 5 in support of the sea2shore Renewable Link (BITS) and Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF).
In a statement last week the cabling companies said they “Respectfully request that fishermen remove fishing gear/traps from the selected cable route, and maintain a clear path 300 feet on either side of the center line. Please see the overview chart for BITS and BIWF cable routes. Kokosing will return to fishermen any gear/traps that may get fouled in the cable equipment but is not responsible for replacement of the gear.
Questions should be directed to Elizabeth Marchetti, fisheries liaison at 401/954-2902 or at rifisheryliaison@gmail.com. For more information visit dwwind.com/project/block-island-wind-farm or sea2shoreri.com.
Where’s the bite
Fresh water fishing slowed a bit with cooler weather last week. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle Warwick said, “With the cooler weather anglers just have not been getting out to fish fresh water. Things will start to move as trout season opens up in April.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Omar Curi of Providence caught a nice pickerel on shiners last week. With cooler temperatures last week the carp bite slowed but crappy and white perch fishing was good. And, trout fishing in Massachusetts has been excellent.” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “Anglers are catching largemouth bass and pickerel at Stump Pond, Smithfield with shiners so things are opening up.”
Cod fishing has been good when boats have been able to get out due to bad weather. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “We absolutely crushed the cod Saturday with over 400 keepers just a handful of cod shy of a boat limit and pool fish just under 15 pounds. Both bait and jigs worked well.”
Striped bass fishing for hold-over striped bass in the Connecticut rivers is still very good. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Charlestown Breachway winter over striped bass up to 26 inches taking white bucktails dressed with 3 inch curly tail grubs on the outgoing tide this morning (Saturday).”
Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Contact or forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit his website at www.noflukecharters.com.
