Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
Agency overview
JurisdictionRhode Island
Headquarters235 Promenade Street Providence, Rhode Island[1]
Agency executives
  • Terrence Gray, Acting Director[2]
  • Adam Brusseau, Assistant Director-Finance
  • Michael Healey, Chief Public Affairs Officer
  • Ryan Mulcahey, Legislative Liaison
  • Mary E. Kay, Executive Counsel
  • Jason McNamee, Deputy Director, Bureau of Natural Resources
Websitewww.dem.ri.gov

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) is a Rhode Island state government agency charged with supervising and controlling the protection, development, planning, and utilization of the natural resources of the state, including, but not limited to: water, plants, trees, soil, clay, sand, gravel, rocks and other minerals, air, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, shellfish, and other forms of aquatic, insect, and animal life.[3]

It includes the Division of Parks and Recreation which is responsible for management of Rhode Island's fifteen State Parks, seven state beaches, and five public use lands.

Predecessor agencies include:[4]

  • RI Metropolitan Park Commission (1904-1934)
  • RI Division of Forests, Parks and Parkways (1935-1952)
  • RI Department of Public Works (Parks and Recreation Division, 1952-1965)
  • RI Department of Natural Resources (1965-1975)

The lobbying of the Public Parks Association (1883-1903) was a significant factor in the creation of state parks in Rhode Island.[4]

  1. ^ "Home- Rhode Island -Department of Environmental Management". Dem.ri.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  2. ^ "Office of the Director- Rhode Island -Department of Environmental Management". Dem.ri.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  3. ^ "TITLE 42 State Affairs and Government CHAPTER 42-17.1 Department of Environmental Management SECTION 42-17.1-2. Powers and duties". Webserver.rilin.state.ri.us. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  4. ^ a b 100 Years of RI State Parks