Creating sustainable water policy.

Fourteen Rhode Island environmental groups including CLF, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Save the Bay have formed the Coalition for Water Security to address water supply issues in the state. The Coalition will push for a sustainable water supply policy in Rhode Island.

The goals of the Coalition include adopting standards to protect streams and rivers from over-withdrawals of water, increasing efficiency of water use, and establishing a state-level governance structure to promote water use that will protect the environment while allowing for economic growth. We depend on our rivers for so many things-from fish spawning to recreation to safeguarding the ecological health of Narragansett Bay. It is critical to protect these values from the damage caused when we strain our finite water resources.

Without a comprehensive water supply management program in the state, many counties could face a shortage of drinking water supplies in the coming years. "Rhode Island has a lot of water, but it is not unlimited," Cynthia Giles, director of CLF Rhode Island, said. "We need to do a better job of learning to live within our water budget."