Providence Journal photo / Rich Salit
Sen. Jack Reed, foreground, stands at Picnic Tree Beach on Prudence Island with DEM director Janet Coit.
Sens Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse were honored this morning on Prudence Island for their "national and state leadership efforts in protecting our nation's precious estuaries."
Joined by Governor Chafee, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management director Janet Coit, Acting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, and other dignitaries, the Rhode Island's U.S. Senators were presented with Distinguished Service Awards from a collaborative group of national organizations including the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association, Restore America's Estuaries, and the Association of National Estuary Programs.
The group also took a tour of the island's beaches and waterways.