WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island and local officials are working toward an April 1 deadline to restore dunes and replace sand in the Misquamicut beach area of Westerly, which was hard hit by Superstorm Sandy.

The Westerly Sun reports that officials are set to meet Thursday to focus on requirements and permits. Town Manager Steven Hartford says the deadline was set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service because of the annual arrival of the federally threatened piping plover.

The town is developing a plan to redistribute 67,000 cubic yards of sand stockpiled in the Misquamicut State Beach parking lot.

Hartford says the state could take about 30,000 cubic yards and the town would use 15,000 cubic yards.

The rest would be distributed to fire district beaches and private property owners.
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Information from: The Westerly Sun, http://www.thewesterlysun.com

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