Join the Salt Ponds Coalition for a walk where you will observe some of the birds species present on the salt ponds in early summer. You are welcome to bring binoculars, and please wear water-resistant shoes.

Banner image is a photo of a Ruddy Turnstone investigating a crab at the Quonochontaug Breachway State Boat Launch this August by Peter Herstein.

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Founders Day is a family event hosted by the General Stanton Inn and the Charlestown “America 250” Committee.

Activities include:

• Colonial village and military camp,
• Musket demonstration,
• Historic crafts, food and activities,
• Music and special appearances from several of our nation’s Founders.

Banner image is a photo from the 2016 Revolutionary War Reenactment at the Amos Greene farm in Charlestown.

The post Family Day With The Founders appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

Join the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), for a meeting on PFAS in drinking water for residents of Southern Rhode Island.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man made chemicals that repel oil and water. PFAS do not break down naturally in the environment, so they are sometimes called “forever chemicals.” PFAS can contaminate the environment and get into drinking water. Certain PFAS contribute to health problems.

Presentations will cover:
• How PFAS can get into water;
• RIDEM’s targeted PFAS testing program for private drinking water wells; and
• What public water systems are doing and resources for private well owners.

No registration necessary | Q&A to follow

Chariho area and nearby residents welcome

The post Meeting On PFAS In Drinking Water appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

Celebrate the season of renewal, gratitude, friendship, and abundance at Strawberry Thanksgiving.

Strawberry Thanksgiving signifies the importance of friendship. Celebrate with your Tomaquag friends by joining their Strawberry Thanksgiving celebration. You can bring your friends, your family or just come by yourself, and make new friends! Whoever you come with, be prepared to enjoy music, performances, dancing, and much more!

This family-friendly gathering will feature Indigenous arts, traditional dance and cultural demonstrations, storytelling, food vendors, games, and more.

Bring a chair or blanket to celebrate culture, community, and the gifts of the season under the Strawberry Moon.

Tomaquag Museum is Rhode Island’s only museum entirely dedicated to telling the story of the Indigenous peoples of this land.

The post Tomaquag Museum Presents Strawberry Thanksgiving appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

The monument honors the legendary Narragansett marathoner and two-time Boston Marathon champion, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown. The statue was commissioned by the Ellison “Tarzan” Brown Memorial Fund and is destined for the Tomaquag Museum on the University of Rhode Island campus.

The June 13 dedication ceremony will include an opening ceremony and a welcome and introduction by Chief Sachem Byron “Sun Rise” Brown of the Wiquapaug Eastern Pequot Tribe, Niantic-Narragansett Tribe. Byron is the oldest living nephew of Tarzan Brown and Byron’s mother Myra Brown was Tarzan’s oldest sister.

Other planned activities will include:

1.) Opening Prayer
2.) Honor Song
3.) Smoking of the Peace Pipe
4.) Blessing of the Statue
5.) Welcoming of Distinguished guests
6.) Introduction of the Steering Committee
7.) Acknowledgement of Sculptor Serena Bates
8.) Description of  additional planed improvements to the site including Granite Bench, Pavers and Plantings
9.) Comments and thoughts from former Running Greats

Tarzan Brown’s Marathon Chronology

• 1934 Boston Marathon, placed 32nd
• 1935 Boston Marathon, placed 13th
• 1936 Boston Marathon, Winner
• 1936 Olympics
• 1937 Boston Marathon, placed 31st
• 1938 Boston Marathon, placed 51st
• 1939 Boston Marathon, Winner
• 1940 Boston Marathon, placed 13th
• 1943 Boston Marathon, placed 21st
• 1946 Boston Marathon, placed 12th

There’s more information about the history of this statue at https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a70978308/tarzan-brown-new-statue-in-westerly/

The post Dedication Ceremony For Ellison “Tarzan” Brown Memorial Statue appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

• Charlestown’s 2027 Budget passed with 149 in favor of the budget and 29 against (1 undervote was also cast)
• The tax rate is estimated to be $5.05 per thousand dollars of valuation

The post Charlestown 2026/2027 Budget Approved With Only 179 People Voting appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

Nitrogen-reducing septic systems remove at least half of the nitrogen, so the logic of this argument is that if you remove half the nitrogen from double the septage you will have the same impact with two houses that one house would have had. But this logic ignores both chemistry and biology.

An element is described as “limiting” where, if enough of the element is not present, certain chemical and biological processes will not occur. Nitrogen is the important (limiting) nutrient in water pollution in the coastal ponds in Charlestown where development is already well beyond carrying capacity, and where allowed development densities should not be increased even with nitrogen removal. However, the limiting nutrient in freshwater systems (mainly north of Rt.1) is phosphorus, not nitrogen, and no commercially available wastewater treatment system, whether nitrogen-reducing or not, removes phosphorus. 



Phosphorus is partially bound up by the soils beneath the wastewater treatment system, but doubling development will double the amount of phosphorus and increase the likelihood of causing pollution. Any phosphorus not bound up by drain field soils or other soils and vegetation surrounding the drain field migrates to the groundwater and to lakes and streams where it can stimulate biological activity beyond normal levels, a condition referred to as eutrophication. In addition to being smelly and unsightly, these blooms can often produce toxins that are harmful to humans, animals, and plants.

Toxic algae are currently blooming in Worden Pond in South Kingstown, and the RI Departments of Environmental Management and Health have issued a health advisory that people and pets should not even touch the water because it is so harmful to humans, pets, and aquatic life. Toxic algae blooms have also occurred occasionally in Charlestown in Pasquisset Pond. Watchaug Pond has had very high bacteria levels. 



Cyanobacteria. which are microorganisms capable of photosynthesis and which occur naturally in many freshwater ecosystems, are the culprit. But without the addition of phosphorus, they are not harmful. In the presence of even small amounts of phosphorus, an algal bloom can expand quickly, and cyanobacteria present in the bloom can produce highly potent toxins, known as cyanotoxins.

The source of excess phosphorus is usually a septic system. Examples of some local conditions that can increase the amount of phosphorus escaping drain fields are sandy and gravelly soils that allow rapid flow rates;  drain fields with thin soils, over shallow bedrock, or where water tables are high; drain fields close to lakes or streams; and wastewater from households that generate more wastewater than their septic systems were designed to handle.

We are already seeing the impact of excess phosphorus in our ponds. At a time when we should be looking for ways to reduce phosphorus loading, doubling the number of allowed dwelling units without fully understanding the long-term groundwater impacts is irresponsible.



Learn more: Reducing phosphorus runoff is necessary for cleaner lakes.

You can learn more about the author, Ruth Platner, at her profile page.

The post Making Development Decisions Without Understanding Negative Impacts Is Irresponsible appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk to health and recommended to be avoided at this location. This HAB is caused by blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which are naturally present in bodies of water. HABs can produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by DEM at several locations.

Use caution in all areas of Worden Pond as HABs can move locations in ponds and lakes. People should not drink untreated water or eat fish from affected waterbodies. Pet owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in this water. This advisory recommendation remains in effect until further notice.

Skin contact with water containing blue-green algae can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms from ingestion of water can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at higher risk for health effects associated with HABs because they are more likely to swallow water when they are in or around bodies of water. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

If you or your pet come into contact with an algal bloom (HAB):

• Rinse your skin with clean water right away.
• Shower and wash your clothes when you get home.
• If your pet was exposed, wash it with clean water immediately and don’t let it lick algae from its fur.
• Call a vet if your pet shows signs of illness like tiredness, no eating, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms within a day.
• If you feel sick after contact, call a healthcare provider.

Affected waters may exhibit bright to dark green scum along the shoreline, with thick algae floating on the surface. It may resemble green paint, pea soup, or green cottage cheese. If you see water like this, people and pets should avoid contact with the water.

To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov or call 401-222-4700, Press 3, and select Office of Water Resources. If possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom. For more information and the Cyanobacteria Tracker Dashboard that lists current advisories and data, visit: www.dem.ri.gov/bluegreen

The above press release was published by DEM on Friday, May 29, 2026.

The post DEM Warns Worden Pond Too Toxic To Touch appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

Land in Charlestown and Connecticut was squarely in the middle of the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass.” The Bypass was the “preferred alternative” in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

More than 16 organizations worked tirelessly against the Bypass, including Greg Stroud and his organization SECoast, the Charlestown Citizens Alliance, and Charlestown’s Town Council.

When the Federal Railroad Administration released its Record of Decision on July 12, 2017, and dropped the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass” from the decision, it was great news and a big win for Charlestown. However, the Bypass was replaced by a required study that was needed to develop a new preferred alternative and that left Charlestown at risk for an alternative that would be similar to that of the Bypass.

At threat were many treasured natural and historical resources and private homes along the route, including:

• Grills and Riverwood Preserves on Charlestown’s western edge in Westerly
• Burlingame State Wildlife Management Area
• Homes in Burdickville village
• Working farms, including a fourth-generation family farm on top of Schumankanuc Hill
• Narragansett Tribal land
• The 1,112-acre Carter Preserve (owned by The Nature Conservancy)
• The Revolutionary-era Amos Green Farm
• Land protected by conservation easements
• Shannock Road, a state-designated Scenic Road
• Historic Columbia Heights housing
• Historic Kenyon
• National Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River and Wood Pawcatuck River in Charlestown and Westerly

Amtrak made an announcement on May 21, 2026, that the study required by the FRA’s 2017 Record of Decision had finally received federal government and other funding to proceed. Amtrak estimates that the study—the New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study—will take up to two years,

All we have at this point is a map with a giant circle covering our region and the many plans that have been undertaken since 2016. Nested in these short- and long-term plans is the “New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study.”  The banner image in this post shows the study area.

In these plans is the following statement about the importance of the NEC:

[The NEC] is the busiest passenger rail corridor in the western hemisphere and a critical economic engine for the United States. Its mainline extending from Boston, MA, to Washington, DC, connects four of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas and moves 628,000 passengers each weekday on over 2,000 daily trains…. If it were its own country, the NEC would be the world’s third largest economy.

The study will be focused on the project planning phase, and it will evaluate “new potential rail alignments,” and is the opportunity “to complete the initial design work necessary to define the capital investment needed in this section of the NEC.”

Amtrak has pledged “careful consideration of environmental and community impacts and a strong commitment to robust public engagement.” “Careful consideration” does not guarantee the protection of the resources listed above. It will take every advocacy group that opposed the Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass to come together again to protect the Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River, public and private protected open space, Narragansett Tribal land, historic villages, working farms, and so much more.

The selection of the new preferred alternative will be the outcome of the study. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more, and we may also need your help in contacting our federal and state officials as we move through the planning process. We are committed to protecting Charlestown and the natural resources and public and private property that would be destroyed if anything like the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass” returns.

Charlestown Town Council member Bonnie Van Slyke has placed this issue on the May 26, 2026 Town Council agenda.

The Connecticut Examiner has more on this story at https://ctexaminer.com/2026/05/23/amtrak-kicks-off-long-delayed-planning-for-high-speed-service-linking-new-haven-and-providence/ (Greg Stroud, is now the Editor-in-Chief at the Connecticut Examiner.)

Amtrak has produced an FAQ on the New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study.

You can learn more about the author, Ruth Platner, at her profile page.

The post Amtrak Announces New Haven–Providence Capacity Planning Study To Begin appeared first on Charlestown Citizens Alliance.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New England District invites everyone to the first public meeting of the Ninigret Restoration Advisory Board (RAB).

USACE is actively investigating the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) as a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). CNALF was used for flight training from the 1940s to the 1970s, encompassing 631 acres, including Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

Federal regulations require installations that are undergoing environmental restoration to ask their communities every 24 months if interest exists in forming a RAB. The USACE New England District found sufficient and sustained support for forming a RAB to advise USACE on environmental restoration of the former CNALF in February 2025.

The Ninigret RAB comprises 12 members, which include community members, a representative of the municipality of Charlestown, a representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and a USACE representative. Since convening in November 2025, the RAB has been undergoing organizational efforts in accordance with federal regulations to adopt operating guidelines and to establish an organizational structure. As a community-based advisory board, the Ninigret RAB will meet regularly with USACE to review progress and provide input on environmental restoration at the former CNALF.

This meeting will provide an opportunity for members of the Charlestown community to meet RAB members, hear from the USACE team, ask questions, and explore opportunities for participating in the RAB.

The Ninigret RAB is a community-based board that will meet regularly with USACE to review progress and provide input about environmental restoration at the former CNALF. The RAB acts as a liaison between the restoration team and the community.

From the 1940s to the early 1970s, the Navy used CNALF for training pilots and aviation crews. In 1982, the property was transferred to the Town of Charlestown for recreational use as Ninigret Park and to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. USACE is conducting a Remedial Investigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to understand the nature and extent of potential chemical and munitions-related concerns stemming from former Navy operations.

For additional information about this project, visit the project webpage at https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects-Topics/Former-Charlestown-Naval-Auxiliary-Landing-Field/.

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