Watershed Counts Indicator Project

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Watershed Counts is a broad coalition of agencies and organizations that have committed to work together to examine and report regularly on the condition of the land and water resources of the Narragansett Bay Watershed Region. The coalition's first report (2011) featured information on five key indicators (climate change, impervious cover, beach closures, fresh water flow and invasive species). In 2012, indicators were added for marine water quality, freshwater quality, open space and resource economics. These indicators will be used to describe the condition of the watershed region and then to communicate this information to the public and decision makers in order to inform and guide future management and development of the watershed. The indicators consider the region's interwoven economic and environmental assets.

2012 Watershed Counts Report (Adobe Acrobat format) on the status of the Narragansett Bay Watershed. The report, presented on Tuesday, April 24 at 2:00pm at the RI State House, emphasizes the link between a healthy environment and a thriving economy. Rhode Island’s beaches, shoreline, historic sites, working farms, and parks provide the foundation for the travel and tourism industry which is the state’s fourth largest industry, ultimately generating more than $2.31 billion for the state’s economy. The 2012 Watershed Counts report describes the condition of marine water and freshwater quality; open space conservation and preservation; the economic benefits of watershed protection; and invasive species. Media Release (PDF). 2012 posters (PDF). For photographs of the unveiling of the report on April 24, 2012, see the 2012 Annual report page. The 2011 Annual Report and videos of the unveiling of the report are available on the 2011 Annual Report page.

On May 8, 2012 an op-ed in the Newport Daily News described watershed count's conclusions: “The Environment and Economy are Connected” by Chip Young.