Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Capital Projects

buildings and road near water

DEM's Division of Planning and Development oversees the design and construction of all facilities and infrastructure within state parks, campgrounds, beaches, and management areas. Projects include: beach pavilions, bikeways, boat ramps, commercial fishing facilities, fish ladders, & rehabilitation of state-owned dams.

As a way of minimizing DEM’s own carbon footprint, we are prioritizing the use of renewable energy sources for buildings and facilities. Many DEM facilities already host solar and wind renewable energy systems, or have undergone energy efficiency retrofits. By leading at the state agency level, Rhode Islanders are reaping the financial and environmental benefits of transitioning to renewable power and investing in efficiency measures.

Active Projects

Quonochontaug (Quonnie) Breachway:

The western side of the breachway is closed to vehicle traffic due to significant erosion impacting the area.  Pedestrian and boat access are still allowed at the site. This closure does not include the eastern side of the Quonnie Breachway, and the public can still access the boat ramp. Project details.

The western side of the Quonnie Breachway channel, which is accessed via the sand trail, is experiencing erosion, and some of the large protective rocks are sinking and shifting. This damage could eventually cause the shoreline protection structure to fail. Restricting vehicle access in this area supports current restoration efforts and is necessary to prevent further degradation of the remaining dune system and protect the integrity of the breachway.  

As demonstrated by the failure of the nearby Charlestown Breachway, dune loss and subsequent overwash of sand into a breachway channel can significantly reduce tidal exchange, resulting in degraded water quality, impaired habitat, and diminished recreational opportunities within the salt pond and channel.

DEM is currently finalizing the design, permitting, and implementation plans necessary to restore and stabilize the dune and revetment system, helping to preserve the breachway and the ecological health of the salt pond. 

We appreciate your patience as we work to safeguard and restore Quonochontaug Breachway.

New Freshwater Boat Ramps

New boat ramps are coming to Keech Pond in Glocester and Wilson Reservoir in Burrillville! Expected to be completed in early spring 2027, the new ramps will improve accessibility and provide safer, more convenient access for boaters and paddlers. 

Starting in October 2026, the parking area and ramps will be closed while crews construct new ramps and install new seasonal floating docks. We appreciate your patience during construction. 

Send questions to dem.projects@dem.ri.gov.

Recently Completed Projects