A.40. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN 
RHODE ISLAND 
A.40.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Plan under development. 
A.40.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• Mute Swan Management Program, Rhode Island Department of Environmental 
Management (RIDEM), Division of Fish and Wildlife. The Division identifies nests 
and destroys eggs by addling or puncturing them during the swan nesting season. 
• Permit reviews for herbicide application, RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife, 
Rhode Island Department of Agriculture. RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife 
issues permits for landowners wishing to use chemical treatments to exterminate aquatic 
invasive species on private or public waters. 
A.40.3. CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS 
• Mute swans may expand their range because of climate change. 
• Narragansett Bay ecosystem may respond to a warming trend, including changes in 
nutrient cycling. 
A.40.4. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS 
(None reported.) 
A.40.5. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION USED 
• Two rapid assessment surveys (2001 and 2003) have taken place through the MIT Sea 
Grant. 
• Several species-specific studies of aquatic invasives in Rhode Island have been 
conducted and are currently used by the research community. These studies are also used 
as baseline data for the state management plan. 
A.40.6. RESEARCH NEEDS 
• Public perception of swan euthanization and methods for public education and outreach 
to overcome public discontent should be researched. 
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