The Rhode Island Rivers Council (RIRC) is a state agency working to restore and protect Rhode Island’s rivers in partnership with state and federal agencies, local government and local watershed councils. Our work focuses on developing and promoting state policies for watershed protection, empowering grassroots watershed councils and building local capacity for watershed protection. The RIRC formally recognizes and works in partnership with watershed councils on river and watershed protection and management.

Description:
The Rivers Council believes that the work of river protection and restoration is best accomplished as a partnership between state and federal agencies, local government and local watershed councils. The Rivers Council’s work links local capacity building (strengthening grassroots watershed councils as vocal and effective advocates for watershed management in their local communities) with state policy advocacy (identifying and overcoming barriers to river protection and restoration). This work is critically important because rivers are essential state resources – providing us with drinking water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and economic development. Our rivers are also inextricably linked to Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island’s ecological and economic treasure. Our activities fall under the following strategies:
Strategy I: Build local capacity for river restoration and protection by providing support and technical assistance to local watershed councils and by promoting linkages among grassroots conservation organizations.
Strategy II: Influence statewide public policy for river protection and watershed management.
Strategy III: Build constituencies and political support for watershed management and watershed councils.
Strategy IV: Build the Rivers Council’s capacity and sustainability.

History:
The Rivers Council was created by the legislature in 1991 to focus attention and coordinate management of the state's essential river resources. The Council spent its first 5 years creating a state river plan (Rhode Island Rivers Policy and Classification Plan, State Guide Plan element 162). The Council then began formally recognizing local watershed councils as local stewards for river and watershed management and as local implementors of the plan. Today the Rivers Council works in partnership with 10 local watershed councils covering more than 75% of the state.

Contact person: Kevin Nelson, (401) 222-2093, (email)
Office fax number: (401) 222-2083

Address:

235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908 (See a map)

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No