With Cleanup Ongoing, Take Care Near Woonasquatucket River

As a cleanup effort to remove tons of contaminated soil continues along the banks of the Woonasquatucket River, the federal Environmental Protection Agency issued a set of guidelines for people in Johnston, North Providence, and Providence to follow:

• Don't eat fish, turtles, eels, other wildlife or plants;
• Don't wade in the shallow water or swim in the river;
• Don't dig into the river banks; and
• Do obey the warning signs posted along the river.

Walking, running, or bike riding along the river, and paddling a canoe or kayak on the river are ways to safely enjoy the river. However, people should wash thoroughly after any contact with the river water, sediment or soil, the agency said in a statment.

Earlier this year, Mayor Joseph Polisena on town property. Johnston is also in the early stages of a project to renovate Cricket Field and install pedestrian- and boater-friendly features along the Johnston border.