Operation
October Rain
Tourism Council Spearheads Valley-Wide Assessment
Pawtucket,RI--In response to last
week's deluge along the Blackstone River, the Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council and Northern RI Chamber of Commerce, have coordinated a
valley-wide damage assessment on behalf of the John H. Chafee Blackstone
River Valley National
Heritage Corridor.
In an effort to determine the impacts
that the subsequent flooding has had on the Blackstone River Valley, we
are seeking information about the October rains using the RIEMA's term
"Operation October Rain". This information is being collected from each
of the 24 Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor communities
from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI utilizing an assessment form that
is available on-line at the Tourism Council's website
www.tourblackstone.com. With
this form we hope to seek input from all sectors of the community,
private and public, city, state and federally-owned properties to
determine the scope of the situation. Your immediate response to this
request will not only help to understand what took place, but also how
we can plan for sustainability via a Blackstone Valley Crisis Management
Plan.
In a recent interview Billington,
stated, "We want to understand the scope of the problem, however big or
small. Some is cleaning up mud and silt, and that's labor. Some is
actual washout and that needs to be re-engineered. And some is
destruction, like the docking system in Central Falls that needs to be
rebuilt."
With the Samuel Slater Canal Boat and
the Blackstone Valley Explorer safely hauled from the river, we have
begun our own assessment.
Meanwhile as we undergo assessment,
there are still opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy
the valley as it reaches prime foliage season and several Halloween
events are being offered throughout the coming weekend. For a listing of
events visit
www.eventblackstone.com.
For more information or questions regarding the assessment form, please
contact Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Veronica Cadoppi, Tourism
Planner, 1-800-454 2882 / 401-724-2200,
bvfootsteps@aol.com or the
Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, John C.
Gregory, President/CEO, 401-334-1000, Ext.105,
jgregory@nrichamber.com.
Blackstone Valley Visitor
Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860