Summary: HR 8451, introduced by Representative Tina L. Spears on April 15, directs the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to collaborate with the Town of New Shoreham to establish a regulatory framework aimed at reducing tick-borne illnesses on Block Island. The bill addresses the unique challenges faced by the island community, particularly the high population of deer that contributes to elevated tick populations and increased rates of tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, among residents and visitors.

It emphasizes the necessity for effective deer population management as a public health intervention and calls for a comprehensive approach that includes various strategies for deer management, public safety measures, and ongoing data collection. The proposed framework will involve strategies such as licensed hunting, culling programs, and fertility control, along with a public education component to raise awareness about the risks of tick-borne illnesses. The DEM is required to report its findings and recommendations to state leadership within six months of the bill's adoption. This initiative aims to ensure the health and safety of Block Island's residents and visitors by addressing the public health threat posed by tick-borne illnesses through coordinated wildlife management efforts.