Twin River to remain closed
The state department of Revenue has ordered another week of closure for Tiverton and Twin River Casinos following news today that 11 more cases of COVID 19 have been found in the state, bringing the total to 19. In a letter dated March 19, DOR Director Gerald Aubin notes, “This mandatory closure will continue to be accessed in accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines related to the prevention of the spread of COVID 19.”
Vote from home
If fears of COVID 19 have you worried about how you will vote in the upcoming presidential primary, consider registering to cast a mail-in ballot. Forms can be downloaded here to be submitted to your local board of canvassers by the April 7 deadline.
Road tests cancelled
All road tests at all R.I. Division of Motor Vehicle locations have been cancelled through March 28. Customers may reschedule online at https://www.ri.gov/app/dmv/
Navigant lobby by appointment only
Navigant Credit Union is making changes to the regular hours of operations at their 18 branch locations across Rhode Island, effective immediately:
- All branch lobby areas will be available by appointment only.
- Branch drive-ups and ATMs will remain open and accessible to all members.
- To make an appointment, call your nearest Navigant Credit Union branch location. To view a full listing of our branches, along with contact information, click here.
“We fully understand that this decision will impact our members’ day-to-day banking routines,” the bank noted in a release. “We encourage our members to use our online and mobile banking tools to fulfill their routine transactions, such as balance inquiries, transfers and deposits. For other banking needs, we also want you to know that our member service representatives are available to answer any additional questions you may have.”
Customers are instructed to call 401-233-4700 with any questions
DEM limits walk-ins
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is pausing walk-in service at the offices with the most frequent lines and crowds. DEM encourages its customers to use online, telephonic, or mail-in services whenever possible. Across the Department, DEM remains fully operational and committed to serving customer needs, according to a release.
The pause in walk-in service adjusts the following interactions with DEM: submitting permit applications, taking a blue card test, obtaining whelk pot and tautog tags, and purchasing fishing and hunting licenses and registering boats.
DEM’s outdoor spaces remain open to the public, and DEM encourages people to enjoy them while adhering to the Governor’s guidance on not gathering in groups and practicing social distancing. All indoor parks and management area spaces are closed. For more information on parks and management areas, call: DEM Parks Headquarters at 401-667-6200, Fish and Wildlife Headquarters at 401-789-0281, and Forestry Headquarters at 401-539-2356.
Taking a Blue Card Test: Blue card tests are not currently available at the PAC or at the Division of Fish & Wildlife Headquarters at the Great Swamp Management Area in West Kingston, but the tests are still available at other locations. Blue cards are presented to firearm dealers to certify that the applicant has successfully passed the State’s requisite safety exam. For a list of testing locations visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/blue-card-testing-locations.pdf.
Obtaining Whelk Pot and Tautog Tags: Commercial fishermen are advised that beginning yesterday and until further notice, whelk pot and tautog tags will not be available for pickup at DEM’s Divisions of Marine Fisheries and Coastal Resources offices. Because some fishermen have not received their tags yet, and the rules requiring these tags begin on April 1st, DEM will delay the commercial tagging requirements for whelk pot and tautog tags until May 1, 2020. The rules to date have required tags be on all commercial pots deployed beginning April 1, 2020 and all tautog commercial harvested and sold beginning April 1; these specific requirements are postponed until May 1.
DEM’s Marine Fisheries Division is developing a plan to issue the tags via mail. Further guidance will be sent to stakeholders via a listserv message. To sign up for the fisheries listserv, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/ and click the link on the right side of the page; or send an email to Peter.Duhamel@dem.ri.gov and request to be added; or email rimarinefisheries-subscribe@listserve.ri.gov with the words “subscribe rimarinefisheries” in the body of the email.
Purchasing Parking Placards for the Galilee State Parking Lot G
Walk-in service at DEM’s Coastal Resources office in Galilee has been paused and applications for seasonal parking placards for Galilee State Parking Lot G are available online at: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/coastal/pdf/seasonal-parkg.pdf
Please follow the instructions on the application for submittal. We will process your application and mail the completed placard back to the address listed on your application.
Purchasing Fishing and Hunting Licenses and Registering Boats
DEM is encouraging anglers, boaters and hunters to purchase their 2020 fishing and hunting license and renew their boat registration through DEM’s Licensing and Registration portal. This online service provides customers with streamlined, on-demand access to the licensing and registration process from the comfort of home – eliminating the need for an in-person visit to DEM offices. All walk-in service at the Office of Boat Registration and Licensing is paused until further notice.
Boaters are encouraged to renew their registration through the online portal. Upon completion of the online renewal, boat owners will be able to print a temporary registration that allows the vessel to be used during the two-week period while the registration is being processed and the decal mailed.
New vessels can be registered by mail by filling out a registration application, outboard motor registration application and title application. Required registration documents are located on this information sheet. Boaters may also deposit their applications in the drop-off boxes outside the Boat Registration and Licensing office at DEM Headquarters at 235 Promenade Street in Providence.
For more information, call the Boat Registration and Licensing office at 401-222-6647.
