AGP Executive Report

Avian Flu Response: Rhode Island health and environmental officials say H5N1 avian influenza was found at Antonelli Poultry in Providence, prompting the humane euthanasia of about 445 asymptomatic birds; the market will stay closed until after infected birds are disposed of and the site is cleaned and sanitized, while staff are monitored for 10 days and officials stress the human risk remains low. Severe Weather Watch: After a warm, humid stretch, forecasts point to strong thunderstorms possible Sunday night with damaging winds and localized flooding risk near high tide, followed by drier, lower-humidity conditions into Monday. Offshore Wind Fight: Rhode Island is among states joining New York in suing the Trump administration over a deal that would refund offshore wind leases while steering money into fossil fuel projects—aimed at protecting climate goals and regional jobs. Environmental Justice Pressure: A new report says federal rollbacks have shuttered key environmental justice offices and reduced enforcement, even as communities continue pushing for protections from pollution and cumulative harms. Outdoor Health Reminder: Rhode Island health guidance highlights tick risk this summer, noting Lyme disease cases remain a concern statewide.

Avian Flu Response in Providence: Rhode Island health and environmental officials say H5N1 avian influenza was found at Antonelli Poultry in Providence during USDA routine testing, prompting humane euthanasia of about 445 asymptomatic birds and a market closure for cleaning and sanitation; staff are being monitored for 10 days, and officials stress the human risk remains low while urging safe food handling and avoiding contact with sick or dead birds. Heat, Storms, and Flood Risk: Forecasts point to hot, humid conditions easing slightly this weekend, with late Sunday night showers and thunderstorms possible and a low severe-storm risk; flooding risk is flagged for low-lying coastal areas during high tide. Tick Season Warning: RIDOH is reminding residents that tick-borne illness risk is rising, with Lyme cases still a major concern statewide and guidance on avoiding tick habitat and protecting yourself outdoors. Stormwater Funding for Resilience: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1 million in EPA Overflow Sewer Grants for stormwater design and engineering across multiple communities, aiming to turn flooding problems into shovel-ready fixes. Block Island Pesticide Debate: A Conservation Commission discussion on Block Island highlighted concerns that spraying for ticks could harm beneficial insects, including an endangered burying beetle, and urged careful review of local pesticide rules.

Avian Flu in Rhode Island: Rhode Island health and environmental officials say 445 asymptomatic birds were euthanized after H5N1 avian flu was found during routine testing at Antonelli Poultry in Providence; the market will stay closed until five days after disposal and full cleaning, and staff are being monitored for 10 days, with the human risk described as low. Stormwater Funding for Flood Resilience: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1 million in EPA Overflow Sewer Grant money for stormwater design and engineering across multiple towns, including New Shoreham’s West Beach Road planning to address flooding that blocks beach access. Heat + Outdoor Safety: Rhode Island is in for another hot day with a late-day shower chance, and earlier coverage notes heat advisories and ozone alerts across New England—so expect guidance to limit strenuous outdoor time and watch air quality. Tick Season Warning: State health officials highlight rising tick-borne illness risk, including Lyme disease rates, and remind residents to check for ticks in grassy and brushy areas and take precautions this summer. Local Environmental Policy Fight: North Kingstown says it plans to sue the EPA over a proposed pyrolysis facility, arguing the agency didn’t properly account for related operations and could require stricter permitting under the Clean Air Act.

Avian Flu Response in Providence: Rhode Island health and environmental officials say 445 birds were euthanized at Antonelli Poultry after avian flu was found in routine testing; the business stays closed until five days after disposal and full cleaning, while staff are monitored for 10 days and residents are urged to follow food-safety steps. Tick Season Warning: Rhode Island is seeing ongoing tick-borne risk, with the state citing 2,565 Lyme cases in 2024 and reminding people to avoid tick habitat and take precautions outdoors. Stormwater Funding for Flood Resilience: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1 million in EPA Overflow Sewer grants for stormwater design and engineering across multiple communities, aiming to turn flooding problems into shovel-ready fixes. Local Air Quality Alert: DEM warned statewide ground-level ozone could reach “unhealthy for sensitive groups” levels, advising people to cut heavy outdoor exertion and watch for breathing symptoms. North Kingstown vs. EPA: The town plans to sue the EPA over a proposed pyrolysis facility, arguing the agency didn’t properly account for related operations and could require stricter permitting under the Clean Air Act.

Stormwater Funding: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1M in EPA Overflow Sewer Grants for stormwater design and engineering across multiple towns, including New Shoreham’s West Beach Road flooding planning. Air Quality & Heat: DEM warned of unhealthy ozone for sensitive groups statewide, while New England stayed under heat advisories as humidity and temperatures pushed dangerous conditions. Local Conservation Policy: North Kingstown says it will sue the EPA over a proposed pyrolysis facility, arguing the agency didn’t properly account for related operations and permitting requirements. Pesticides, Ticks & Wildlife: Block Island’s Conservation Commission discussed tick-driven pesticide pressure, with advocates warning yard spraying could harm beneficial insects, including the endangered American burying beetle. Climate/Ag Capacity: A new analysis says USDA’s NRCS and FSA staffing cuts hit farmer-facing conservation support hard, leaving many counties with fewer local experts. Coastal Access & Community: Middletown, Jamestown and Block Island received state stormwater grants, and local meetings continued around coastal access points and harbor parking rules.

Coastal Health Reminder: Rhode Island doctors are urging beachgoers to think beyond sunscreen, warning that summer water and shoreline hazards can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, ear, and skin illnesses—especially for people with weakened immune systems. Air Quality & Heat: DEM is issuing a statewide alert for unhealthy ozone for sensitive groups, with fine particles also elevated; officials pair it with heat guidance to limit strenuous outdoor activity as humidity pushes heat index values higher. Stormwater Funding: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1 million in EPA Overflow Sewer Grants for stormwater design and engineering to reduce flooding impacts across multiple communities, including work tied to West Beach Road in New Shoreham. Wildlife/Plants in the Spotlight: URI is offering weekend viewing hours for its corpse flower greenhouse specimen, with bloom timing uncertain but public access expanded for a rare chance to see it. World Cup Public Health Tech: A Georgetown “Health Security Operations Center” is tracking infectious disease risks for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using dashboards and monitoring to help prevent outbreaks. Local Harbor Enforcement: Old Harbor is tightening parking and signage around the “triangle” near commercial docks to reduce confusion and ticket noncompliance.

NOAA/ESA-MMPA Fight: U.S. lawmakers largely rejected Trump’s push to shift NOAA Fisheries’ Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act duties to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, keeping the protected-species work inside NOAA. Air Quality in RI: Rhode Island issued a statewide ozone alert for June 12, with “unhealthy” conditions for sensitive groups and moderate fine particle levels—DEM urges people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion. Heat + Storms: Forecasts call for hot, humid weather with heat index values in the mid-90s and a chance of pop-up thunderstorms, plus ongoing heat advisories in the region. Beaches + Water Safety: Rhode Island is getting $210,000 in EPA funding to monitor Narragansett Bay beach water quality after 2025 closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Coastal Erosion Help: Jamestown won Infrastructure Bank support—$115,000 for shoreline embankment work at Potter Cove and low-interest septic loans to reduce pollution risks. Marine Life on Block Island: Mystic Aquarium and RIDEM deployed acoustic receivers and are tagging seals off Block Island, with the reminder to stay 150 feet away. Recycling Win: A new mattress-foam recycling process is turning used polyurethane foam into new products, giving foam a second life.

Heat & Ozone Watch: Rhode Island DEM issued a statewide air quality alert for Thursday, June 11, warning ground-level ozone will reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, with fine particles also elevated—urging people with asthma and other lung issues to cut outdoor exertion and plan activities earlier in the day. Offshore Wind, Cable Path Clarity: The CRMC approved SouthCoast Wind’s key permit for the Sakonnet River cable route and related work in Portsmouth and Mount Hope Bay, a step that keeps Rhode Island in the project’s path even as federal delays and uncertainty linger. Beaches Get More Monitoring Money: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed helped secure a $210,000 EPA grant to expand Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay water sampling after 2025 beach closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Coastal Erosion Help for Jamestown: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded Jamestown $115,000 for shoreline embankment improvements at Potter Cove, plus low-interest septic loans for homeowners. Food Access for Seniors: RIDOH launched the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering $50 cards for eligible seniors to buy fruits and veggies at Rhode Island farmers markets. Tick Season Tips: Experts highlighted practical ways to reduce tick bites, including permethrin-treated clothing and minimizing exposed skin. Ocean Science Under Pressure: The NSF has begun dismantling a major ocean monitoring network earlier than planned, raising alarms about losing crucial data on warming oceans and marine impacts. Recycling Win: A new mattress-foam recycling process earned a U.S. patent, turning polyurethane foam into materials for products like synthetic leather and shoe soles.

Air Quality: Rhode Island DEM issued another statewide air quality alert for Thursday, June 11, warning of unhealthy ground-level ozone for sensitive groups statewide, with fine particles also expected to run moderate—urging people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion and plan activities for the morning. Beaches & Water Quality: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed helped secure a $210,000 EPA grant to expand seawater sampling at popular Narragansett Bay beaches after a 2025 season saw 123 beach closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Coastal Erosion: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank approved Jamestown support for shoreline protection at Potter Cove, including a grant for erosion work and low-interest septic improvement loans for homeowners. Food Access for Seniors: RIDEM launched its 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering eligible seniors $50 prepaid cards to buy fruits and vegetables at Rhode Island farmers markets. Natural Gas & Methane Leaks: A new study suggests small home methane leaks may be widespread, adding fuel to the debate over whether to transition off natural gas. Offshore Wind: CRMC approved a key SouthCoast Wind permit over fishing-industry objections, though the project’s timeline and cable path remain uncertain amid federal policy shifts. Ocean Monitoring: A report says the Trump administration has begun dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, raising alarms about reduced ocean climate and ecosystem monitoring.

Ocean & Climate Education: Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium is rolling out a “Bay of the Future” exhibit, tying Rhode Island’s warming waters to changing catches—from more warm-water fish like cobia and mahi-mahi to the reminder that estuaries may not be able to support new arrivals. Heat & Public Health: New England is heading into a sticky stretch, with heat index values that could top 100°F and humidity pushing “feels like” conditions into the low 90s—heat alerts are in place. Energy Policy in the Spotlight: Rhode Island’s Gov. McKee nominee to the Public Utilities Commission, Donna Sams, is stuck in legislative limbo as senators delay action until January, citing concerns about her energy-policy background. Coastal Infrastructure: Construction has begun on the replacement Washington Bridge in Providence, with major in-water work starting now and an estimated opening in November 2028. Marine Monitoring Under Threat: The Trump administration has started dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network of ocean sensors scientists say is crucial for tracking climate and marine ecosystems. Regional Clean-Energy Legal Fight: New Jersey and other states are suing the federal government over offshore wind lease cancellations tied to Attentive Energy/TotalEnergies, arguing it harms grid reliability and ratepayers. Air Quality Watch: Rhode Island is issuing ozone-related air quality alerts for unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups. Local Traffic & Environment: RIDOT will shift traffic patterns on Route 1 near Route 37 in Warwick starting June 12 to keep construction moving on a deficient bridge.

Stormwater Funding: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded $1.1M in EPA Overflow Sewer grants to 10 communities for stormwater engineering to cut flooding and improve drainage, including green infrastructure like bioretention basins and swales. Public Health Alert: RIDOH and DEM urged people to avoid Almy Pond in Newport due to a harmful algae bloom, warning against swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and even letting pets contact or drink the water. Legislation Watch: A Rhode Island Senate bill would limit grocery self-checkouts by requiring at least one staffed lane for every three self-checkout lanes, with enforcement through the Attorney General. Climate/Energy Pressure: Advocates are ramping up pressure on Gov. Ned Lamont to reject pipeline expansion, arguing past natural gas buildouts raised costs without lowering fuel prices and worsened local air quality. Heat & Humidity: A heat dome is expected to bring muggy conditions and a chance of thunderstorms/shower activity midweek across New England, including Rhode Island. Ozone Research Push: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) introduced a bill to expand EPA grants for studying tropospheric ozone’s effects on climate, crops, and ecosystems. Local Infrastructure Work: RIDOT will shift traffic on Route 1 near the Route 37 overpass in Warwick to keep bridge work moving through summer 2026.

Health Alert: RIDOH and DEM say avoid all contact with Newport’s Almy Pond due to a harmful algae bloom, warning against swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, drinking untreated water, and eating fish until sampling clears the advisory. Stormwater Funding: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded $1.1M to 10 communities for stormwater and flood mitigation design work, including green infrastructure like bioretention basins and tree filters. Heat & Humidity: A heat dome keeps New England warm, with humidity rising Wednesday and thunderstorms possible. Coastal Recreation Update: Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is opening reservations June 10, with new ADA shower/restroom facilities and beach closures tied to construction. Food Access Policy: A bill passed the RI Senate to limit grocery self-checkouts, and a separate measure would restrict restrictive covenants that block grocery stores from operating. Local Safety: Police are investigating after a motorcyclist drove through a Providence Federal Hill street closed for an outdoor event and crashed into the pedestrian area. Climate & Energy Politics: Environmental advocates say they helped stop a late-session push to let RI Energy own power plants, after lawmakers faced competition and ratepayer concerns.

Harmful Algae Alert (Newport): RIDOH and DEM say people should avoid all contact with Almy Pond after a blue-green algae bloom, including swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and eating fish; toxins and high cell counts were found in state lab samples, and the advisory stays in effect until more testing clears the bloom. Stormwater Funding (Statewide): The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1M in EPA-backed grants for stormwater and flood mitigation design work in 10 communities, including green infrastructure like bioretention basins and swales. Rodenticide Restrictions (Wildlife Protection): Rhode Island lawmakers advanced bills to limit second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, aiming to protect owls, hawks, and other predators; the measures now head to the governor. Offshore Wind & Marine Research (URI): URI doctoral research looks at how offshore wind turbine foundations may create reef-like habitat for Jonah crabs, raising questions about whether it boosts life overall or just concentrates it. Campground Upgrades (Charlestown): Burlingame State Campground will open for the 2026 season with new ADA-compliant shower and restroom facilities, though the beach remains closed during construction. Policy Watch (Food Access): A bill restricting grocery-store restrictive covenants is headed to Gov. Dan McKee, with a narrow exception for certain closures.

Harmful Algae Alert (Newport): RIDOH and DEM say people should avoid all contact with Almy Pond in Newport due to a harmful algae bloom, including swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking. The agencies detected toxins and high cell counts, warn blooms can shift, and advise not to drink untreated water or eat fish from the pond; rinse and wash after any exposure. Heat Watch (New England): A warming ridge is building across the region, with Tuesday staying mostly sunny and warm, then humidity rising by Wednesday and thunderstorms possible—an early reminder to plan for hotter, stickier conditions. Coastal Resilience (Stormwater Grants): Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1M to 10 communities for stormwater planning and design to cut flooding from stronger storms, including Middletown, Jamestown, and Block Island. Campground Upgrades (Charlestown): Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is set to open for the season after construction delays, with new ADA-compliant shower/restroom facilities and water-conserving plumbing; the beach stays closed during ongoing work. Wildlife & Water (Narragansett Bay): A mink was filmed attacking a fawn on a Narragansett Bay beach; DEM said the person was interfering with nature, and the injured fawn was taken to a wildlife rehab facility.

Climate Politics: A new report says many Democrats are going quiet on climate change ahead of midterms, with Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse calling it “climate hushing” and warning that warming is already hitting household costs. Ocean Life & Film: David Attenborough’s NatGeo documentary “Ocean” spotlights the scale of marine ecosystems and the pressures from climate change and industrial activity. Weather & Heat Prep: Rhode Island is in a mostly sunny, mild stretch Monday, but another warm-up is coming fast—plan for hotter, more humid conditions later this week. Air Quality: Rhode Island DEM issued an ozone alert for Saturday, warning of unhealthy air for sensitive groups and urging residents to cut heavy outdoor exertion. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Rhode Island and other states are suing the Trump administration over a “sham deal” that paid TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing it threatens jobs and clean energy. Local Safety: Two deadly motorcyclist crashes hit Southern New England in under 24 hours, a reminder to stay alert and give riders extra space. Plastic Pollution Research: A University of Rochester team developed bacteria-based “bio-stickers” that can speed up breakdown of bioplastics in marine environments. RI Budget: The Rhode Island House approved a $15.2B FY27 budget, with sustainability and a phased-in millionaire’s tax among the marquee items. Boating Incident: RIDEM responded to a Wickford Harbor crash where a 42-foot vessel slammed into a jetty; the operator may have been impaired.

Air Quality Alert: Rhode Island DEM is warning of unhealthy ozone for sensitive groups statewide on Saturday, June 6, with peak levels early afternoon into evening and fine particles running moderate—expect throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and worse asthma; the state urges people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion, plan for mornings, and use AirNow for updates. Offshore Wind Fight: A multistate lawsuit targets the Trump administration’s “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel New York offshore wind leases, with Rhode Island among the states arguing the move breaks legal steps and threatens clean energy and union jobs. PFAS Crackdown: A state-by-state push on “forever chemicals” is accelerating, with Rhode Island among states moving toward disclosure rules or restrictions as scrutiny grows over PFAS in consumer products. Ocean & Climate Watch: A weekly climate roundup highlights the environmental toll of data centers and reports on the dismantling of a deep-ocean monitoring system—both tied to rising climate and pollution pressures. Local Waters & Wildlife: Rhode Island coverage spotlights green crabs—an invasive species expanding in warmer waters—and notes their habitat damage, while a separate local item flags a contamination investigation at the Bradford Dyeing Association property.