WASHINGTON, DC - The decade-long effort to protect the Taunton River as part of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System is helping to protect Rhode Islanders from the dangers of building a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Mount Hope Bay.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today commended the National Park Service for informing officials at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that constructing the Weaver's Cove LNG terminal may not be appropriate given the "Wild and Scenic River" designation of the Taunton River. Reed voted for the late-Senator Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) Wild and Scenic River designation bill that was included in the Public Lands Management Act (H.R. 146), which became law in March 2009.

"Building an LNG facility on the Taunton River and Mount Hope Bay is simply inconsistent with public and environmental safety," said Reed. "I am pleased the National Park Service will be carefully evaluating the Weaver's Cove LNG development and preventing any action that could harm the environment. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to oppose the Weaver's Cove LNG proposal."

In a letter dated May 12, Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, wrote FERC: "On the basis of the information available at this time regarding the proposed Weaver's Cove Offshore Berth Project (pending release of the anticipated DEIS), I am concerned that the Department of the Interior will be unable to find this project consistent with the Taunton Wild and Scenic River designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, as required by FERC."