R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-38 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-38
§ 46-25-38. Proceeds: Narragansett Bay water quality management district commission fund.
Status: in_force

The general treasurer is hereby directed to deposit the proceeds of the sale of the bonds, including any premium or premiums and any accrued interest which may be received from the sale thereof, in one or more of the depositories in which the funds of the state may be lawfully kept, in the account to be known as Narragansett Bay water quality management district commission fund, to be used as follows:

(1) For the project within the district;

(2) As prescribed in § 46-25-42, in the case of premiums or accrued interest,

(3) In the event that the amount received from the sale of the bonds exceeds the amount necessary for the planning, construction, extension, and improvement of the project, the surplus shall be used to the extent possible to retire the bonds as they may become due,

(4) Provided, however, that six million dollars ($6,000,000) of the proceeds of the fund may be utilized for the purposes of the Blackstone Valley sewer district and an additional nine million dollars ($9,000,000) of the proceeds may be utilized for the purposes of the Pawtuxet River district commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-11 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-11
§ 46-13-11. Reports as to public supplies.
Status: in_force

Any person maintaining a public water supply system shall submit or cause to be submitted by operating personnel such reports of operation pertaining to the sanitary quality, treatment, and output as may be requested by the director. The operation reports shall be submitted within fifteen (15) days after demand therefor by the director, and shall be accurate and as complete as requested by the director. Copies of all reports, as well as the analyses of the reports by the director, shall be supplied to the cities and towns serviced by the supplier upon request.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-6-17 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-6 / Section 46-6-17
§ 46-6-17. Severability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be severable and, if any of the provisions shall be held invalid, the decision of the court respecting that provision or provisions shall not affect the validity of any other provision which can be given effect without that invalid provision.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-23 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-23
§ 46-12-23. Town and city expenditures for pollution control.
Status: in_force

The town council of every town and city council of every city are hereby authorized to make available sufficient money to pay for the proper control of the pollution of waters in their respective towns or cities, and the towns and cities may raise the money by the issue of interest bearing notes of the town or city, which notes shall not be considered in determining whether the indebtedness of the town or city is in excess of the statutory limitation; provided, however, that before any notes or any other evidences of indebtedness are issued, any and all plans and specifications for the proper control of the pollution of the waters shall be submitted to and receive the approval of the state department of environmental management.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-17-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-17 / Section 46-17-1
§ 46-17-1. Governor authorized to enter compacts.
Status: in_force

The governor is hereby authorized to enter into compacts with the governors of other states for the protection of water resources of this state originating outside of this state and for the protection of water resources of other states originating within this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-30-7 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-30 / Section 46-30-7
§ 46-30-7. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provisions of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, or order made thereunder, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter, rule, regulation, or order, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section or sections of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter and is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this chapter would have been enacted if the invalid parts had not been included therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-5
§ 46-15-5. Water supply to other states.
Status: in_force

(a) No municipal water departments or agencies, special water districts, or private water companies shall transport or carry through pipes, conduits, ditches, or canals, the waters of any fresh water lake, pond, brook, river, stream, or creek in this state or any well, subsurface, or percolating waters of this state into any other state for use therein except where the consent in writing of the water resources board has been obtained.

(b) A petition in writing for that consent must be filed with the water resources board accompanied by such plans and documents as the water resources board may require. The provisions of § 45-15-4 shall, so far as practicable, apply to all proceedings to be had subsequent to the filing of the petition as if the petition were one filed pursuant to the provision of § 46-15-4.

(c) The water resources board shall enforce the provisions of this section, and the superior court, by injunction, may, upon an application of the director, prevent any unauthorized diversion or transportation.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to affect any contracts or other arrangements in existence on September 1, 1990, wherein a municipal water department or agency, special water district, or private water company is supplying to and/or purchasing water from any agency or other entity in another state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-25.3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-25.3
§ 46-25-25.3. Criminal penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who shall be found guilty of violating, willfully or with criminal negligence, any of the provisions of §§ 46-25-25  46-25-25.3 or of any permit, rule, or regulation issued pursuant thereto, or an order of the commission, shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both a fine or imprisonment; and every person shall be deemed guilty of a separate and distinct offense for each day during which the violation shall be repeated or continued. Further, the person shall be liable for all damages directly related to the violation, including additional costs of handling and treating any prohibited wastes, and shall reimburse the commission for actual enforcement costs incurred by the commission, including reasonable attorneys fees and administrative costs.

(b) No person shall knowingly make any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under § 46-25-25 or 46-25-25.1 or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under those sections, or shall falsify, tamper with, or knowingly render inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under those sections or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under those sections.

(c) No person shall discharge into any outlet within the district any sewage waste or other pollutants without a permit, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with this chapter or the rules and regulations of the commission.

(d) No person shall construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage waste or other pollutants within the district, except as otherwise provided by law or the rules and regulations of the commission.

(e) No person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently breach, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment or dump garbage, refuse, or other material on land or right-of-way which is a part of the facilities of the project.

(f) No person shall uncover, make any connection with, or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any interceptor or appurtenance thereof, without first obtaining a written permit from the commission.

(g) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any unpolluted waters such as stormwater, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any facilities of the project other than those discharges as are connected to an existing (prior to May 1, 1982) combined sewer in those areas in which a combined sewer is the only available means for disposal of unpolluted waters.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-7-6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-7 / Section 46-7-6
§ 46-7-6. Injuries to Castle Island beacon or markers south of Conimicut.
Status: in_force

The captain, owner, or owners of every ship or vessel that shall, by running against or otherwise, injure the beacon on Castle Island, at the entrance of Bristol Harbor, or any buoy placed or hereafter to be placed, at the expense of the United States, in any of the waters of Narragansett Bay south of Conimicut Point or the stakes on the point, or in any way injure, destroy, or remove the chains or anchors by which they are or shall be moored, shall forfeit thirty-six dollars ($36.00), provided the damage is done intentionally or negligently; to be recovered in the county of Kent or in the county of Newport, and to be distributed, paid, and appropriated as provided in § 46-7-5.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-20 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-20
§ 46-9-20. Accounts of fees  Payments to state  Use of funds.
Status: in_force

(a) Once every month every pilot or his or her agent shall render to the commission an accurate account of all vessels subject to this chapter piloted by him or her, and of all money received by him or her for pilotage of those vessels, and shall pay to the State of Rhode Island a percentage of the amount thereof. The percentage shall be established by rule and regulation adopted by the commission pursuant to this chapter. Pilots shall add a percentage to the rates established by the commission when they perform the service of piloting any vessel subject to this chapter and collect the percentage in like manner as they are authorized to collect pilotage fees.

(b) The general treasurer shall deposit those amounts payable to the State of Rhode Island under this section into the general fund as general revenue. General revenues shall be appropriated for use by the department for the following purposes:

(1) To monitor the transit of vessels into, through, and out of Narragansett Bay;

(2) To monitor pilots as they conduct vessels into, through, and out of Narragansett Bay;

(3) To fund and support programs and activities to promote and ensure the safe guidance of ships into, through, and out of Narragansett Bay.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-39.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-39.1
§ 46-12-39.1. No discharge awareness and education.
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions. As used in this section and in conjunction with this chapter, the following terms shall be construed as follows:

(1) Marine sanitation device means either a marine sanitation device-type I, a marine sanitation device-type II, or a marine sanitation device-type III with a holding tank and through-hull fitting that would allow sewage to be discharged overboard.

(b) At the time of registration, a boat owner shall be provided with educational material notifying them that, if the recipient boat has a marine sanitation device, the marine sanitation device must be properly secured in a manner that prevents overboard discharges when operating in Rhode Island waters consistent with § 46-12-39.

(c)  (i) [Deleted by P.L. 2024, ch. 117, art. 6, § 22.]
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-38.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-38.1
§ 46-25-38.1. Narragansett Bay environmental enforcement fund.
Status: in_force

There is hereby established a separate fund within the Narragansett Bay water quality management district commission fund to be called the Narragansett Bay environmental enforcement fund. This fund shall be administered by the executive director of the commission. The fund shall consist of such sums as the commission may, from time to time, deposit, or the sums recovered by any administrative or civil enforcement action brought under the authority of this chapter. All interest earned on the sums shall become part of the fund. All sums in the fund shall be expended in accordance with § 46-25-24 for the purposes set forth below:

(1) Emergency response activities. These activities shall include, but not be limited to, site inspections, investigatory reports, collection, monitoring, and analysis of samples of wastewater, air and/or soil waste disposal or spill response, analysis, and containment.

(2) Enforcement activities. These funds may also be used to support activities related to enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, regarding illegal discharges and spills to the facilities, including, but not limited to, legal activities to enforce the provisions of this chapter and secure contributions from violators as well as ancillary services, personnel, or equipment to support the activities enumerated in this section.

(3) Additional activities. These activities shall include, but not be limited to, professional and emergency response training for employees, environmental research and development projects, public information and education, and technical assistance provided by the commission to any state, federal, or municipal agency.

(4) Bay bond debt retirement. Those funds which have not been committed for projects within a three (3) year period following their deposit into the fund may be used to pay the long term debt service on bonds issued pursuant to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-5-7 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-5 / Section 46-5-7
§ 46-5-7. Late filing of petition for jury trial.
Status: in_force

The court may, in its discretion, permit the filing of the petition subsequent to one year from the filing of the description, plat, and statement, unless the petitioner therein has had actual notice of the taking of the land in which the petitioner claims an interest in season to have filed his or her petition within the year, and unless the state has then paid some other person for the estate or interest or become liable to pay for the estate or interest under a judgment rendered against the state under the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-40 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-40
§ 46-12-40. Penalty for violations.
Status: in_force

(a) Every person in violation of § 46-12-39 or owning, operating, or causing to be operated, upon the waters of the state, a boat in violation of the provisions of § 46-12-39 or aiding in so doing, shall for the first offense be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or be imprisoned for not more than one year in the adult correctional institutions, or both such fine and imprisonment, and for a second and each subsequent offense shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or be imprisoned for not more than one year in the adult correctional institutions, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. If a municipality assists in the prosecution of a violation of § 46-12-39 any fine imposed for that violation shall be paid one-half (Â½) thereof to the general treasurer of the state and one-half (Â½) thereof to the treasurer of the town or city where the offense occurred.

(b) [Deleted by P.L. 2024, ch. 117, art. 6, § 22.]

(c) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the municipal court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the district court to hear and adjudicate violations under this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-6.3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-6.3
§ 46-23-6.3. Tolling of expiration periods.
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this chapter, all periods pertaining to the expiration of any approval or permit issued pursuant to any state statute or any regulation promulgated thereto pertaining to the development of property shall be tolled until June 30, 2016. For the purposes of this section, tolling means the suspension or temporary stopping of the running of the applicable permit or approval period.

(b) Said tolling need not be recorded in the land evidence records to be valid, however, a notice of the tolling must be posted in the municipal planning department and near the land evidence records.

(c) The tolling shall apply only to approvals or permits in effect on November 9, 2009, and those issued between November 9, 2009, and June 30, 2016, and shall not revive expired approvals or permits.

(d) The expiration dates for all permits and approvals issued before the tolling period began will be recalculated as of July 1, 2016, by adding thereto the number of days between November 9, 2009, and the day on which the permit or approval would otherwise have expired. The expiration dates for all permits and approvals issued during the tolling period will be recalculated as of July 1, 2016, by adding thereto the number of days between the day the permit or approval was issued and the day the permit or approval otherwise would have expired.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-17 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-17
§ 46-25-17. Use of federal and state funds.
Status: in_force

The commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the project or any part thereof herein authorized, accept or use any federal or state funds or assistance, or both, provided therefor under any federal or state law. In the event that federal or state funds or assistance are made available for execution of the project, the project shall be carried out and executed in all respects subject to the provisions of the appropriate federal and state laws providing for the construction of the projects, and the rules and regulations made pursuant thereto, and to such terms, conditions, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the federal and state law, rules, and regulations, as the commission may establish to insure the proper execution of the project.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-6.5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-6.5
§ 46-4-6.5. Town of Tiverton  Powers conferred.
Status: in_force

(a) The provisions of § 46-22-14 or any other provisions of the general laws notwithstanding and in addition to any authority and powers conferred upon the town council of the town of Tiverton, authority shall also be granted to the town council of the town of Tiverton to authorize for the appointment of a harbor commission and by ordinance grant such authority as the town council may deem necessary or desirable to the harbor commission for the enforcement and supervision of any ordinances, rules, and regulations governing the public waters within its jurisdiction, and to regulate by ordinance the speed, management, and control of all vessels and the size, type, location, and use of all anchorages and moorages within the public waters within the confines of the town, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the authority and power to regulate waterskiing upon any of the public waters; to designate upon a map of the public waters within the town the places where permanent or temporary moorings or anchorages may be maintained; to assign moorings; to remove moorings; to collect fees for the use of moorings; to provide for minimum mooring specifications; to provide for inspection of moorings; to provide regulations for houseboats that are not self-propelled; to provide regulations for regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, and exhibitions; to provide for the removal of wrecks or derelict or abandoned boats or docks; to provide for the regulation of skin diving, and scuba diving; and to impose penalties for violation of the ordinances not exceeding in amount one hundred dollars ($100) or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days in some jail or house of correction for any one offense and the fines to be recovered to the use of the town.

(b) No powers or duties granted herein shall be construed to abrogate the powers or duties granted to the coastal resources management council as provided in chapter 23 of this title, as amended.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-19-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-19 / Section 46-19-3
§ 46-19-3. Approval of plans for construction or alteration.
Status: in_force

No dam or reservoir shall be constructed or substantially altered until plans and specifications of the proposed work shall have been filed with and approved by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-11 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-11
§ 46-10-11. Inventory and accounting for unclaimed property  Delivery to town.
Status: in_force

If no owner or agent or other person interested in the shipwrecked property shall appear and establish his or her claim within one year after it shall have been taken into the custody of the commissioner, the commissioner shall render to the town treasurer of the town an inventory of the property, and, if sold, an account of all money in the commissioners hands and paid by the commissioner for duties on the property and for expenses of securing and preserving the property, and the commissioner shall make an oath to the truth of the inventory and account and shall pay and deliver the balance of the account, with all the property remaining in the commissioners hands, to the town treasurer for the use of the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-33 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-33
§ 46-25-33. Commission expenses as cost of project.
Status: in_force

The expenses of the commission in the performance of its duties hereunder shall be construed to be costs of operation and maintenance of the project.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-6.9 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-6.9
§ 46-4-6.9. Town of Jamestown  Powers conferred.
Status: in_force

(a) The provisions of § 46-22-14, or any other provisions notwithstanding, and in addition to any authority and powers conferred upon the town council of the town of Jamestown, authority shall also be granted to the town council of the town of Jamestown to enact ordinances as the town council may deem necessary or desirable for the enforcement and supervision of any rules and regulations established by the town council governing the public waters within its jurisdiction, and to regulate by ordinance the speed, management, and control of all vessels and the size, type, location, and use of all anchorages and moorages within the public waters within the confines of the town, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the authority and power to regulate waterskiing upon any of the public waters; to designate upon a map of the public waters within the town the places where permanent or temporary moorings or anchorages may be maintained; to assign moorings; to remove moorings; to collect fees for the use of moorings; to provide for minimum mooring specifications; to provide for inspection of moorings; to provide regulations for houseboats that are not self-propelled; to provide regulations for regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, and exhibitions; to provide for the removal of wrecks or derelict or abandoned boats or docks; to provide for the regulation of skin diving and scuba diving; and to impose penalties for violation of the ordinances not exceeding in amount one hundred dollars ($100) or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days in some jail or house of correction for any one offense and the fines to be recovered to the use of the town.

(b) No powers or duties granted herein shall be construed to abrogate the powers or duties granted to the coastal resources management council as provided in chapter 23 of this title, as amended.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-8
§ 46-15-8. Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The water resources board is hereby authorized and empowered to make general rules and regulations and to take such actions and issue such orders as may be required for the enforcement of this chapter, and the rules and regulations, in addition hereto and not inconsistent herewith.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-24 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-24
§ 46-9-24. Reinstatement following suspension.
Status: in_force

Any pilot whose license has been suspended may, following the expiration of the period of his or her suspension, be eligible for the reinstatement of his or her license; subject to any conditions that may be imposed by the commission in accordance with this chapter and subject to any rules and regulations that may be in effect at that time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-20-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-20 / Section 46-20-1
§ 46-20-1. Petition to drain across lands of another.
Status: in_force

Whenever the owner or owners of any lands in this state may wish to drain the lands, and cannot agree with the proprietor or proprietors of the adjacent land or lands to be affected, as to the mode of draining the land or lands and the damages consequent thereon, the owner or owners may prefer a petition to the town council of the town in which the lands are situated, for power to drain the land or lands across the lands of other proprietors. The petition shall set forth the course of the proposed ditch or drain, and the names of the proprietors whose lands are to be affected thereby, and the petitioner shall file a bond in such sum as the town council shall direct, conditioned to pay all costs of the proceedings in case it shall be determined inexpedient to construct the ditch or drain.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-30-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-30 / Section 46-30-3
§ 46-30-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning:

(1) Annexation fee means a fee levied on the individual water system connections, or accounts, in addition to their normal water consumption and service charges. The annexation fee shall remain in effect until the financial responsibility of annexation is discharged.

(2) Governing agency means the public water supply system into which the small public water supply system is being merged or annexed.

(3) Owner of the facilities means the holder of title to the water supply system facilities supplying water.

(4) Public water supply system means the same as defined in § 46-13-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-12 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-12
§ 46-12-12. Modification or revocation of order.
Status: in_force

Any order of the director may at any time, or from time to time, after at least twenty (20) days notice in writing to the person or persons affected thereby, and after a hearing, if so requested by the affected person or persons, be modified or revoked by an order duly entered by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-16-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-16 / Section 46-16-1
§ 46-16-1. Interstate compact authorized  Text of compact.
Status: in_force

The commission on interstate cooperation, acting with and through the office of the attorney general, is hereby directed to negotiate with the proper authorities of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut a compact in substantially the following form, which is hereby ratified:

Whereas, the growth of population and the development of the territory of the New England states has resulted in serious pollution of certain interstate streams, ponds and lakes, and of tidal waters ebbing and flowing past the boundaries of two (2) or more states; and

Whereas, such pollution constitutes a menace to the health, welfare and economic prosperity of the people living in such area; and

Whereas, the abatement of existing pollution and the control of future pollution in the interstate waters of the New England area are of prime importance to the people and can best be accomplished through the co-operation of the New England states in the establishment of an interstate agency to work with the states in the field of pollution abatement;

Now, therefore, the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont do agree and are bound as follows:

It is agreed between the signatory states that the provisions of this compact shall apply to streams, ponds and lakes which are contiguous to two (2) or more signatory states or which flow through two (2) or more signatory states or which have a tributary contiguous to two (2) or more signatory states or flowing through two (2) or more signatory states, and also shall apply to tidal waters ebbing and flowing past the boundaries of two (2) states.

There is hereby created the New England interstate water pollution control commission (hereinafter referred to as the commission ) which shall be a body corporate and politic, having the powers, duties and jurisdiction herein enumerated and such other and additional powers as shall be conferred upon it by the act or acts of a signatory state concurred in by the others.

The commission shall consist of five (5) commissioners from each signatory state, each of whom shall be a resident voter of the state from which he or she is appointed. The commissioners shall be chosen in the manner and for the terms provided by law of the state from which they shall be appointed. For each state there shall be on the commission a member representing the state health department, a member representing the state water pollution control board (if such exists), and, except where a state in its enabling legislation decides that the best interests of the state will be otherwise served, a member representing municipal interests, a member representing industrial interests, and a member representing an agency acting for fisheries or conservation.

The commission shall annually elect from its members a chairperson and vice chairperson and shall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge such officers. It may appoint and employ a secretary who shall be a professional engineer versed in water pollution and may employ such stenographic or clerical employees as shall be necessary, and at its pleasure remove or discharge such employees. It shall adopt a seal and suitable bylaws and shall promulgate rules and regulations for its management and control. It may maintain an office for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place within the signatory states. Meetings shall be held at least twice each year. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but no action of the commission imposing any obligations on any signatory state or on any municipal agency or subdivision thereof or on any person, firm or corporation therein shall be binding unless a majority of the members from such signatory state shall have voted in favor thereof. Where meetings are planned to discuss matters relevant to problems of water pollution control affecting only certain of the signatory states, the commission may vote to authorize special meetings of the commissioners of the states especially concerned. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall make an annual report to the governor and the legislature of each signatory state setting forth in detail the operations and transactions conducted by it pursuant to this compact, and shall make recommendations for any legislative action deemed by it advisable, including amendments to the statutes of the signatory states which may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this compact. The commission shall not incur any obligations for salaries, office, administrative, traveling or other expenses prior to the allotment of funds by the signatory states adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the signatory states. Each state reserves the right to provide hereafter by law for the examination and audit of the accounts of the commission. The commission shall appoint a treasurer who may be a member of the commission, and disbursements by the commission shall be valid only when authorized by the commission and when vouchers therefor have been signed by the secretary and countersigned by the treasurer. The secretary shall be custodian of the records of the commission with authority to attest to and certify such records or copies thereof.

It is recognized, owing to such variable factors as location, size, character and flow and the many varied uses of the waters subject to the terms of this compact, that no single standard of sewage and waste treatment and no single standard of quality of receiving waters is practical and that the degree of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes should take into account the classification of the receiving waters according to present and proposed highest use, such as for drinking water supply, industrial and agricultural uses, bathing and other recreational purposes, maintenance and propagation of fish life, shellfish culture, navigation and disposal of wastes.

The commission shall establish reasonable physical, chemical and bacteriological standards of water quality satisfactory for various classifications of use. It is agreed that each of the signatory states through appropriate agencies will prepare a classification of its interstate waters in entirety or by portions according to present and proposed highest use and for this purpose technical experts employed by state departments of health and state water pollution control agencies are authorized to confer on questions relating to classification of interstate waters affecting two (2) or more states. Each signatory state agrees to submit its classification of its interstate waters to the commission for approval. It is agreed that after such approval all signatory states through their appropriate state health departments and water pollution control agencies will work to establish programs of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes which will meet standards established by the commission for classified waters. The commission may from time to time make such changes in definitions of classifications and in standards as may be required by changed conditions or as may be necessary for uniformity.

Each of the signatory states pledges to provide for the abatement of existing pollution and for the control of future pollution of interstate inland and tidal waters as described in Article I, and to put and maintain the waters thereof in a satisfactory condition consistent with the highest classified use of each body of water.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or prevent the enforcement of any requirement by any signatory state imposing any additional condition or restriction to further lessen the pollution of waters within its jurisdiction. Nothing herein contained shall affect or abate any action now pending brought by any governmental board or body created by or existing under any of the signatory states.

The signatory states agree to appropriate for the salaries, office, administrative, travel and other expenses such sum or sums as shall be recommended by the commission. The state of Massachusetts obligates itself only to the extent of six thousand five hundred dollars ($6,500) in any one year, the state of Connecticut only to the extent of three thousand dollars ($3,000) in any one year, the state of Rhode Island only to the extent of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) in any one year, and the states of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont each only to the extent of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in any one year.

Should any part of this compact be held to be contrary to the constitution of any signatory state or of the United States, all other parts thereof shall continue to be in full force and effect.

The commission is authorized to discuss with appropriate state agencies in New York state questions of pollution of waters which flow into the New England area from New York state or vice versa and to further the establishment of agreements on pollution abatement to promote the interests of the New York and New England areas.

Whenever the commission by majority vote of the members of each signatory state shall have given its approval and the state of New York shall have taken the necessary action to do so, the state of New York shall be a party to this compact for the purpose of controlling and abating the pollution of waterways common to New York and the New England states signatory to this compact but excluding the waters under the jurisdiction of the interstate sanitation commission (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut).

This compact shall become effective immediately upon the adoption of the compact by any two (2) contiguous states of New England but only insofar as applies to those states and upon approval by federal law. Thereafter upon ratification by other contiguous states, it shall also become effective as to those states.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-22 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-22
§ 46-9-22. Grounds for disciplinary action.
Status: in_force

The commission may suspend any pilot for any period that it may deem proper, and may revoke and annul any pilots license which shall be issued under this chapter, upon satisfactory proof that:

(1) The pilot has willfully disobeyed or violated the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation made and established by the commission; or

(2) The pilot has negligently lost or damaged any vessel under his or her care; or

(3) The pilot is so addicted to the habits of intoxication, or the use of any drug, as to be unfit to be entrusted with the charge of a vessel; or

(4) The pilot is so mentally or physically incapable as to be unfit to carry on the duties of a pilot.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-5
§ 46-28-5. Council created  Appointment of members.
Status: in_force

Such council shall consist of fifteen (15) members to be appointed in the following manner:

(1) Nine (9) public members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate; one of whom shall be a member of a chamber of commerce within Rhode Island, three (3) of whom shall be people who have experience with relevant not-for-profit groups such as local land trusts or conservation commissions, two (2) of whom shall have experience in environmental law, environmental science or planning, and one of whom shall have experience in communication, public outreach or education; one member shall be the general manager of the water resources board or his or her designee who shall be a subordinate within the water resources board who shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member; one member shall be the director of the department of environmental management or his or her designee who shall be a subordinate within the department of environmental management; one member shall be the executive director of coastal resources management council or his or her designee who shall be a subordinate within the coastal resources management council who shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member; one member shall be the director of the department of administration or his or her designee who shall be a subordinate within the department of administration; one member shall be the executive director of the economic development corporation or his or her designee who shall be a subordinate within the economic development corporation who shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member; and one member shall be the president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns or his or her designee who shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member.

(2) All duly appointed members as of the passage of this act [April 20, 2006], shall continue as members until the expiration of their term. Upon expiration of the terms of members of the council who were appointed by the governor or the lieutenant governor prior to the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006], new members shall be appointed by the governor as prescribed in subdivision (1). Members shall be appointed during the month of January of each year by the governor and in the event of a vacancy occurring in the council, said vacancy shall be filled in a like manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. The term of appointed members shall be three (3) years. The members of the council shall be eligible to succeed themselves. The members of the council shall serve without compensation. No one shall be eligible for appointment unless he or she is a resident of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-22 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-22
§ 46-15-22. Transfer of powers and functions to the water resources board.
Status: in_force

There are hereby transferred to the water resources board:

(1) Those functions of the department of administration which were administered through or with respect to board programs in the performance of strategic planning as defined in § 42-11-10(c);

(2) All officers, employees, agencies, advisory councils, committees, commissions, and task forces who were performing strategic planning functions as defined in § 42-11-10(c); and

(3) Those duties and functions of the statewide planning program for support to the Rhode Island rivers council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-6
§ 46-4-6. East Providence harbormaster  Authority.
Status: in_force

In addition to any authority and powers conferred upon any city or town council under this title, the city council of East Providence is hereby authorized to appoint a harbormaster, and by ordinance grant such authority as the city council may deem necessary to the harbormaster for the enforcement and supervision of any rules and regulations governing the public waters within its jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-1-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-1 / Section 46-1-3
§ 46-1-3. Offices of department  Seal.
Status: in_force

The department of administration shall furnish the department of environmental management with offices in which to transact its business and keep its charts and records. The department of environmental management shall have a seal and shall have engraved thereon the words Department of Environmental Management, State of Rhode Island, and the seal shall be affixed to all orders, permits, licenses, and contracts which the director of environmental management is authorized by law to make, and to such other documents and instruments to which the director is authorized to affix his or her signature as the director may deem necessary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-41 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-41
§ 46-25-41. Bonds and notes tax exempt general obligations of state.
Status: in_force

All bonds and notes issued under the authority of this chapter shall be exempt from taxation in the state and shall be general obligations of the state, and the full faith and credit of the state are hereby pledged for the due payment of the principal and the interest on each of the bonds and notes as the bonds and notes shall become due.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-8-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-8 / Section 46-8-2
§ 46-8-2. Registration of motors required.
Status: in_force

Any person who is the owner of an outboard motor for use on any waters within the territorial limits of the State of Rhode Island shall register the outboard motor as provided in § 46-8-3 within ten (10) days after the ownership is acquired.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-28 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-28
§ 46-9-28. Penalties  Misdemeanor.
Status: in_force

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued pursuant to this chapter, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both; and every such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate and distinct offense for each day during which the violation shall be repeated or continued.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-7 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-7
§ 46-28-7. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

The council shall have the following powers:

(1) To be entitled to ask for and receive from any commission, board, officer, or agency of the state such information, cooperation, assistance, and advice as shall be reasonable and proper in view of the nature of said functions;

(2) To assess, evaluate and coordinate with federal, regional and state agencies the current programs and policies as they relate to efforts to clean up and preserve rivers and watersheds throughout the state; and to participate in coordination mechanisms to achieve systems level planning for the state;

(3) To prepare and recommend a rivers policy for the state of Rhode Island for adoption by the state planning council as a part of the state guide plan as described in §42-11-10(c)(7), as amended, following the procedures for notification and public hearing set forth in §42-35-3, as amended. Said policy shall be consistent with federal water quality requirements and shall give consideration to development, public or private, which has commenced at the time of the adoption of a rivers policy. Such rivers policy shall treat rivers as ecological systems;

(4) To prepare and recommend a plan for the classification of all rivers in the state of Rhode Island for adoption by the state planning council as a part of the state guide plan, following the procedures for notification and public hearing set forth in §42-35-3, as amended. The classifications shall identify characteristics of water bodies beyond their quality to reflect their current or potential uses for drinking water sources, agricultural irrigation, industrial processes, including cooling water sources, water-based recreation, aquatic habitat, aesthetic enhancement, and others. The classification plan shall be consistent with current water quality classifications adopted by the department of environmental management. Such classification plan shall contain a minimum of three (3) classes of rivers, including:

(A) Pristine rivers. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and water relatively unpolluted;

(B) Recreational rivers. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible, that may have some development along their shorelines and may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past. These shall include sections of rivers along mill villages, but shall not include sections where development may be characterized as urban; and

(C) Working rivers. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible, that have development along their shorelines, that have undergone impoundment or diversion, and where development may be classified as urban.

In the classification of rivers, different sections of a single river may enjoy different classifications as appropriate.

(5) To make findings and recommendations among state agencies and political subdivisions by participating in administrative proceedings and by reporting to the governor regarding disputes and conflicts on river and watershed issues;

(6) To make findings and recommendations to state agencies and political subdivisions regarding measures necessary to protect river quality and to promote river uses consistent with the states river policy and river classification plan;

(7) To formally recognize and to provide grants to local watershed councils;

(8) To foster public involvement in river planning and decision-making processes by;

(i) Conducting public education programs about rivers and watersheds;

(ii) Promoting public access to and use of rivers, as appropriate;

(iii) Holding informal workshops prior to the adoption of:

(A) The states rivers policy;

(B) The states river classification plan or any portion thereof as provided for in subsection (d) of this section; and

(C) The establishment of any local watershed council; and

(iv) Providing technical assistance to local watershed councils to participate in watershed planning.

(9) To recommend programs, policies and proposals to the governor, the speaker of the house and the president of the senate;

(10) Establish subcommittees as may be needed to carry out the purpose of this chapter;

(11) To promulgate regulations and procedures as may be needed to issue grants and approve watershed action plans, including rules requiring notice by state or city and town agencies to local watershed councils regarding proposed actions pertaining to projects, developments and activities located wholly or partially within the watershed represented by the local watershed council;

(12) To apply for and accept grants, donations, loans of funds, and contributions of money, services, materials or otherwise from any federal, state or local agency, from any public or private foundation, or individual or from any other source, in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and

(13) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members of the council and new designees of ex officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the council, approved by the council and conducted by the chair of the council. The council may approve the use of any council or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. The course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 46-28, 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the councils operating procedures, rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-8
§ 46-12-8. Expert assistance in investigations and prosecutions.
Status: in_force

The director may employ any professional or expert services that the director may deem desirable in making any investigation or in conducting any prosecution for the violation of the provisions of this chapter, within the limit of the amount appropriated therefor by the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-9 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-9
§ 46-25-9. Appropriated moneys and advances from general fund.
Status: in_force

(a) The commission is authorized to accept such moneys as may be appropriated from time to time by the general assembly for the carrying out of its duties hereunder including, without limitation, the payment of the initial expenses of administration and operation; provided, however, that any such appropriation shall be considered as a loan to the commission from the general fund of the state and shall be returned thereto when the commission is self supporting or at such time as may otherwise be stipulated in the act appropriating the money.

(b)(1) The commission is further authorized to accept advances or loans of funds from the general fund of the state:

(i) In anticipation of the receipt of federal funds; and

(ii) For the purpose of meeting debt service liabilities and providing for the construction, maintenance, or operation of the project during such periods of time as the fund may be insufficient for those purposes and, at the request of the commission, the director of the department of administration is authorized and empowered, with the approval of the governor, to make those advances.

(2) Provided, however, that the advances shall be returned to the general fund at such time or times as the director shall have specified, and that the total amount of the advances outstanding and unreturned at any one time shall not exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000); and, however, for the period May 1, 1989 through June 30, 1991 the advance shall not exceed three million six hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($3,675,000) provided that subject to the report and order of the public utilities commission in docket No. 1968, the commission may issue revenue bonds or notes for the purpose of repaying the advances from the general fund of the state of Rhode Island provided under this chapter, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed three million six hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($3,675,000) in accordance with the provisions of §46-25-58 except that notwithstanding subsections (c) and (d) of §46-25-58, such revenue bonds or notes, including all refundings and renewals thereof, shall be payable in such installments and at such times not exceeding three (3) years from the date of the original issue of such revenue bonds or notes. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the advances upon receipt by the controller of proper vouchers signed by the director of the department of administration and approved by the governor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-30-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-30 / Section 46-30-4
§ 46-30-4. Financial responsibility.
Status: in_force

(a) The financial obligation for the upgrading of the public water supply system to be annexed and the continued management and operational responsibility to bring that system into compliance with the applicable regulations and on parity with the existing facilities of the governing agency must be fairly and equitably allocated to the new customers by identifying:

(1) Capital costs;

(2) Operational expenses;

(3) Management support;

and adding the annexation fee to the governing agencys existing rate structure currently in effect to be applied to the customers accounts, to be annexed.

(b)(1) Each year the annexation fee to be paid by the new customers shall be added to the rate apportioned to the existing customers of the governing agency and shall represent the amortized cost of the capital expenditures and the appropriate ongoing operational costs adjusted for inflation. The annexation fee shall in no event be less than ten percent (10%) the rate levied on the pre-annexation customer base, nor shall it be more than one hundred percent (100%) of the pre-annexation rate. This legislation is not intended to limit the governing agency from recovering all costs of service from its basic customer base. The annexation fee shall constitute a part of the cost of annexation and shall also be an allocated portion of the cost of annexation and become a debt of each customer from the small public water supply system to the governing agency and be collectible in the same manner and have the benefit of any lien provided for the amounts due for water charges from the small public water supply system to the governing agency. Subject to the provisions of §39-1.1-1 for those small public water supply systems which are public utilities, all governing agencies may terminate service for failure of the customer of a small public water supply system to pay the annexation fee.

(2) It shall not be necessary for any small public water supply system or governing agency whose rates may be regulated by the public utilities commission, pursuant to chapter 1 of title 39, to obtain approval from the commission for billing of the annexation fee. The public utilities commission shall not be required, in determining rates for any governing agency or small public water supply system hereunder, to consider the annexation fees billed hereunder when determining revenue requirements for the governing agency or public water supply system.

(c) The annexation fee shall terminate when the contractual obligation for amortizing the upgrading of the system petitioning annexation has been discharged or no later than thirty (30) years from the date of financing said improvements, whichever comes first.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-60 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-60
§ 46-25-60. Reserve funds and appropriations.
Status: in_force

To assure the continued operation and solvency of the commission for the carrying out of its corporate purposes:

(1) The commission may create and establish one or more special funds (herein referred to as capital reserve funds ), and may pay into each capital reserve fund:

(i) Proceeds from the sale of revenue notes or revenue bonds, to the extent provided in the resolution or resolutions of the commission authorizing the issuance thereof; and

(ii) Any other money that may be made available to the commission for the purpose of the fund from any other source. All money held in a capital reserve fund, except as hereinafter provided, shall be used solely for the payment of the principal of revenue bonds secured in whole or in part by the fund or of the sinking fund payments hereinafter mentioned with respect to the revenue bonds, the purchase or redemption of the revenue bonds, the payment of interest on the revenue bonds, or the payment of any redemption premium required to be paid when the revenue bonds are redeemed prior to maturity, provided, that money in the fund shall not be withdrawn therefrom, except for the purpose of making (with respect to revenue bonds secured in whole or in part by the fund) payment when due of principal, interest, redemption premiums, and the sinking fund payments hereinafter mentioned, for the payment of which other money of the commission are not available, if the withdrawal would reduce the amount of the fund to less than the minimum capital reserve requirement established for the fund as hereinafter provided. Any income or interest earned by, or incremental to, any capital reserve fund because of the investment of the funds thereof, may be transferred by the commission to other funds or accounts of the commission if the transfer would not reduce the amount of the capital reserve fund below the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for such fund.

(2) The commission shall not at any time issue revenue bonds secured in whole or in part by a capital reserve fund if, upon the issuance of the revenue bonds, the amount of the capital reserve fund would be less than the minimum capital reserve required for the fund, unless the commission, at the time of issuance of the revenue bonds, shall deposit in the fund from the proceeds of the revenue bonds so to be issued, or from other sources, an amount that, together with the amount then in the fund, is not less than the minimum capital reserve fund requirement for the fund. For the purpose of this section, the term minimum capital reserve fund requirement shall mean, as of any particular date of computation, an amount of money, as provided in the resolution or resolutions of the commission authorizing the revenue bonds or revenue notes with respect to which the fund is established, equal to not more than the greatest of the respective amounts, for the current or any future fiscal year of the commission, of annual debt service on the revenue bonds of the commission secured in whole or in part by the fund, the annual debt service for any fiscal year being the amount of money equal to the sum of:

(i) The interest payable during the fiscal year on all revenue bonds secured in whole or in part by the fund outstanding on the date of computation; plus

(ii) The principal amount of all the revenue bonds and revenue bond anticipation notes outstanding on the date of computation that mature during the fiscal year; plus

(iii) All amounts specified in any resolution of the commission authorizing the revenue bonds as payable during the fiscal year as a sinking fund payment with respect to any of the revenue bonds that mature after the fiscal year, all calculated on the assumption that the revenue bonds will after the date of computation, cease to be outstanding by reason, but only by reason, of the payment of revenue bonds when due and application in accordance with the resolution authorizing those revenue bonds of all of the sinking fund payments payable at or after the date of computation.

(3) In computing the amount of the capital reserve funds for the purpose of this section, securities in which all or a portion of the funds shall be invested, shall be valued as provided in the proceedings under which the revenue bonds are authorized, but in no event shall be valued at a value greater than par.

(4) The commission may create and establish such other fund or funds as may be necessary or desirable for its purposes, including, but not limited to, providing for an insurance reserve fund and a replacement reserve fund.

(5) The commission may by resolution permit the issuance of revenue bonds and notes to carry out the purposes of this chapter without establishing a capital reserve fund pursuant to this section and without complying with the limitations set forth in this section. Revenue bonds and notes issued pursuant to this subsection may be secured by such other funds or methods as the commission may in its discretion determine by resolution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-2-8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-2 / Section 46-2-8
§ 46-2-8. Joint undertakings of cities and towns.
Status: in_force

Where any improvement or protection project is located within two (2) or more cities or towns, the cities or towns are authorized to undertake jointly any action as is authorized in § 46-2-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-23 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-23
§ 46-10-23. Penalty for unauthorized intermeddling with property.
Status: in_force

If any person shall, after the arrival of the director of the department of environmental management, take, detain, or intermeddle with any property shipwrecked or found as aforesaid, except under the direction of the director or of the owner or agent or other person interested, he or she shall forfeit one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense, to be recovered in the name of the director, owner, agent, or other person interested, to his or her own use.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-26 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-26
§ 46-23-26. The publics rights and privileges of the shore.
Status: in_force

(a) The publics rights and privileges of the shore are established by Article I, Sections 16 and 17 of the Rhode Island Constitution.

(b) For purposes of this chapter, the recognizable high tide line means a line or mark left upon tidal flats, beaches, or along shore objects that indicates the intersection of the land with the waters surface level at the maximum height reached by a rising tide. The recognizable high tide line may be determined by a line of seaweed, oil or scum along shore objects, a more or less continuous deposit of fine shell or debris on the foreshore or berm, other physical markings or characteristics, or other suitable means that delineate the general height reached by the waters surface level at a rising tide. If there is more than one line of seaweed, oil, scum, fine shell, or debris, then the recognizable high tide line means the most seaward line. In the absence of residue seaweed or other evidence, the recognizable high tide line means the wet line on a sandy or rocky beach. The line encompasses the waters surface level at spring high tides and other high tides that occur with periodic frequency, but does not include the waters surface level at storm surges in which there is a departure from the normal or predicted reach of the waters surface level due to the piling up of water against a coast by strong winds, such as those accompanying a hurricane or other intense storms.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general laws to the contrary, the publics rights and privileges of the shore may be exercised, where shore exists, on wet sand or dry sand or rocky beach, up to ten feet (10²) landward of the recognizable high tide line; provided, however, that the publics rights and privileges of the shore shall not be afforded where no passable shore exists, nor on land above the vegetation line, or on lawns, rocky cliffs, sea walls, or other legally constructed shoreline infrastructure. Further, no entitlement is hereby created for the public to use amenities privately owned by other persons or entities, including, but not limited to: cabanas, decks, and beach chairs.

(d) Any landowner whose property abuts the shore shall, with respect to the publics exercise of rights and privileges of the shore as defined in this chapter, be afforded the liability limitations pursuant to chapter 6 of title 32.

(e) The coastal resources management council (CRMC) in collaboration with the department of environmental management (DEM), shall develop and disseminate information to educate the public and property owners about the rights set out in this section.

(f) The CRMC in collaboration with the DEM, and the attorney general, shall determine appropriate language and signage details for use at shoreline locations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-2
§ 46-12-2. Administration.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be the responsibility of the director of the department of environmental management to administer this chapter. Within the department of environmental management, the director may employ personnel who shall come within the classified service in accordance with the laws of this state for the purposes of this chapter, and may delegate to a subordinate or subordinates any or all the powers and duties vested in the director hereunder. The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary for the expenses of administering this chapter.

(b) The department of environmental management is hereby designated as the state water pollution control agency for this state for all purposes of the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., and is hereby authorized to take all action necessary or appropriate to secure to this state the benefits of that act.

(c) The department of environmental management is hereby designated to operate the underground injection control program under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq., and is hereby authorized to take all action necessary or appropriate to secure to this state the benefits of that program.

(d) The department of environmental management is hereby designated to administer the wellhead protection program as approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and in accordance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq., and is hereby authorized to take all actions necessary or appropriate to secure to this state the benefits of that program. The department of environmental management shall cooperate and coordinate wellhead protection program activities with the department of health public drinking water supply program.

(e) The department of environmental management is hereby designated to administer the underground storage tank program as approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., and is hereby authorized to take all necessary or appropriate actions to secure to this state the benefits of this program, including participation via cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the leaking underground storage tank trust fund.

(f) The department of environmental management is hereby designated to establish, administer, and enforce standards for nutrients as necessary to protect, maintain and/or improve the ecological functions of the marine and aquatic resources of the state; and to prepare, adopt, and implement plans as necessary and appropriate to accomplish the purposes of managing nutrient loadings and preventing, abating, and/or eliminating the deleterious effects of nutrients, including, but not limited to, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, anoxia, oxygen-stress-induced population shifts, and/or fish kills. To implement the purposes of this subsection, the department shall implement measures to achieve an overall goal of reducing nitrogen loadings from waste water treatment facilities by fifty percent (50%) by December 31, 2008, which date, in its implementation, may be adjusted to be consistent with compliance with permit modifications, through waste water treatment facility upgrades scheduled to be undertaken by December 31, 2006, and through proposed permit modifications, which shall be issued by the department on or before July 1, 2004. The department shall report on the implementation of these measures in the report required by § 46-12-3(25).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-17-6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-17 / Section 46-17-6
§ 46-17-6. Audit.
Status: in_force

The controller of the state of Rhode Island is hereby designated as the representative of this state to inspect the accounts of the commission in accordance with article VII(F) of the compact and to report the results of that inspection to the director of administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-3
§ 46-15-3. Review of public water supply facilities.
Status: in_force

The water resources board shall review all proposals and plans for public water supply systems in accordance with the procedures established in this chapter and shall, with respect to each proposal:

(1) Make findings concerning the location of existing and potential sources of contamination of the public water supply system;

(2) Assess the actual and potential impact of existing and potential sources of contamination of the public water supply system;

(3) Prepare recommendations concerning the location, construction, and treatment of the public water supply system; and

(4) Report its findings, assessment, and recommendation to the directors of health and the division of planning.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-5
§ 46-9-5. Pilotage commission.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created a state pilotage commission within the department of environmental management independent of the department and the director, consisting of four (4) members, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the governor. Of the members appointed by the governor, one shall be a licensed pilot with five (5) years active service on the waters of this state, and one shall represent the public. The associate director of the bureau of natural resources within the department of environmental management, or his or her designee, and the director of the department of environmental management, or his or her designee, shall serve as ex officio members of the commission. Each appointed member of the commission shall serve for a term of three (3) years and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified. In the month of February, the governor shall appoint a member to hold office until the first day of March in the third year of his or her appointment, and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified to succeed the member whose term shall next expire.

Gubernatorial appointments made under this section after the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall be subject to the advice and consent of the senate.

(b) Any vacancy which may occur in the commission shall be filled by the governor as in the case of an original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself.

(c) Newly appointed and qualified public members and designees of ex-officio members shall, within six (6) months of their qualification or designation, attend a training course that shall be developed with commission approval and conducted by the chair of the commission and shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 46-9, 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2 and the commissions rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.

(d) Members of the commission shall be removable by the governor pursuant to §36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reason unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-16 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-16
§ 46-10-16. Employment of assistants by director.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of environmental management, upon taking charge of unclaimed property, may employ as many persons as the director shall think necessary to assist in preserving the property, and he or she may appoint guards to secure the property and may suppress all tumults and disorders.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-11 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-11
§ 46-28-11. Liberal construction.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally in order to accomplish the purposes hereof, and where any specific power is given to the council by the provisions hereof, the statement thereof shall not be deemed to exclude or impair any power otherwise in this chapter conferred upon said council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-23 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-23
§ 46-15-23. Coastal resources management council.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall abrogate or affect the powers and duties of the coastal resources management council under chapter 23 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-14-2.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-14 / Section 46-14-2.1
§ 46-14-2.1. Contamination of private well  Notice to municipal water supply agency.
Status: in_force

Any state department or agency which discovers or receives information that a private well or water supply has become contaminated, which contamination may pose a potential danger to the local public water supply, shall, upon receipt of the information, provide written notification to the local public water supply agency and the chief executive officer of the city or town where the well is located of the potential contamination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-20.4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-20.4
§ 46-23-20.4. Hearings  Orders.
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, every hearing for the adjudication of a violation or for a contested matter shall be held before a hearing officer or a subcommittee. The chief hearing officer shall assign a hearing officer to each matter not assigned to a subcommittee. After due consideration of the evidence and arguments, the hearing officer shall make written proposed findings of fact and proposed conclusions of law which shall be made public when submitted to the council for review. The council may, in its discretion, adopt, modify, or reject the findings of fact and/or conclusions of law; provided, however, that any modification or rejection of the proposed findings of fact or conclusions of law shall be in writing and shall state the rationales therefor.

(b) The director of the department of environmental management and the coastal resources management council shall promulgate such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, as to assure uniformity of proceedings as applicable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-6-13 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-6 / Section 46-6-13
§ 46-6-13. Insurer of lost vessel not liable for cost of removal.
Status: in_force

No insurer of a vessel, who has paid the loss thereon, shall, by reason of the insurance, be held liable to remove the vessel, or to pay the cost and expenses of the removal, under the provisions of this chapter, unless the insurer has exercised some act of ownership or control over the vessel or some part or appurtenance thereof, or received the proceeds of the sale thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-6-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-6 / Section 46-6-10
§ 46-6-10. Removal of obstruction by director  Payment of cost.
Status: in_force

(a) If the vessel or other obstruction is: (1) Not removed at or within the time specified in the notice, and in a manner and to a place satisfactory to the director, or (2) If the vessel or other obstruction is in immediate danger of sinking or has sunk, is breaking up or has broken up, or is posing a hazard to navigation; or (3) If the vessel or other obstruction poses an imminent threat to human health or safety, including a threat of environmental contamination; and (4) If no owner or other person is known to the director upon whom the notice can be served, the director or other authorized public entity may proceed to remove the vessel or other obstruction, or to complete the removal thereof, or to cause the removal to be done, in such manner and to such place as the director or other authorized public entity shall deem best; and the necessary cost and expense of the removal, if not paid by some owner or other person liable therefor, shall, when certified by the director, be paid out of the derelict and abandoned vessel and obstruction removal account or out of the treasury of the state out of any money appropriated therefor.

(b) Before taking temporary possession of any vessel or other obstruction, the authorized public entity must make reasonable attempts to consult with the department of the United States Coast Guard to ensure that other remedies are not available. The basis for taking temporary possession of the vessel or other obstruction must be set out in writing by the authorized public entity within seven (7) days of taking action and be submitted to the owner, if known, as soon thereafter as reasonable. If the authorized public entity has not already provided the required notice, immediately after taking possession of the vessel or other obstruction, the authorized public entity must initiate the notice provisions in § 46-6-9(a). The authorized public entity must complete the notice requirements of § 46-6-9(a) before using or disposing of the vessel or other obstruction as authorized in § 46-6-10.1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-7 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-7
§ 46-25-7. Officers of the commission  Quorum and vote required.
Status: in_force

Forthwith, after May 16, 1980, and annually in the month of April thereafter, the commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson, and one of its members as vice chairperson. A simple majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all of the duties of the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-32-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-32 / Section 46-32-3
§ 46-32-3. Drinking water standards for PFAS contaminants.
Status: in_force

If the director of the department of health decides to publish a notice pursuant to the provisions of § 46-32-4(b)(1) then on or before June 1, 2024, the director of the department of health shall, pursuant to this section, file under § 42-35-4 a final rule with the secretary of state regarding adoption of the interim drinking water standard level of twenty parts per trillion (20 ppt) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) as a maximum contaminant level (MCL). Upon the effective date of the final rule, the drinking water monitoring provisions of § 46-32-2 may be suspended, modified, or superseded by the provisions of the final rule and the maximum contaminant level, as specified pursuant to § 46-32-4, shall apply to § 46-32-2(d).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-51 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-51
§ 46-25-51. Commission notes.
Status: in_force

(a) Money borrowed by the commission pursuant to § 46-25-50 shall be evidenced by notes. The principal and interest of all notes of the commission issued in anticipation of the receipts of state or federal funds shall be payable no later than the fourth anniversary of the date of issue thereof, and shall be payable from state or federal funds which the commission reasonably anticipates receiving or any other funds either legally available to the commission or appropriated for that purpose. The principal and interest of all notes of the commission, issued in anticipation of user fees, shall be payable within one year of the date of issue thereof and may be renewed, and the principal amount of the notes shall not exceed in the aggregate eighty percent (80%) of the actual receipts received by the commission from user fees in its next prior fiscal year.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, all notes shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments under the laws of the state of Rhode Island, subject only to the provisions for registration contained therein.

(c) The notes or any issue thereof shall be in a form and contain such other provisions as the commission may determine, and the notes or resolutions or proceedings authorizing the notes or any issue thereof may contain, in addition to any provisions, conditions, covenants, or limitations authorized by this chapter, any provisions, conditions, covenants, or limitations which the commission is authorized to include in any resolution or resolutions authorizing notes.

(d) The commission may issue such notes in such manner, either publicly or privately, on such terms as it may determine to be in its best interest. The notes may be issued under the provisions of this chapter without obtaining the consent of any department, division, commission, board, body, or agency of the state, without any other proceedings or the happening of any conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions, or things which are specifically required by this chapter, and by the provisions and resolutions authorizing the issuance of the notes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-27-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-27 / Section 46-27-3
§ 46-27-3. Enforcement.
Status: in_force

The department of environmental management, division of boating safety, is empowered to enforce the provisions of this chapter. In addition thereto, the police officers of all localities, and the harbormasters of all localities are empowered to enforce all provisions of this chapter. The harbormaster of any locality, or where there is none, the governing body of any locality is empowered and authorized to establish reasonable speed limits for the operation of any personal watercraft in any area within their jurisdiction. The harbormaster of any locality, or where there is none, the governing body of any locality is empowered and authorized to post signs governing the reasonable use of personal watercraft at any location within their jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-9.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-9.1
§ 46-13-9.1. Test results  Reports to the director.
Status: in_force

(a) Any water supply sampling, monitoring, testing result or laboratory analysis undertaken by or for a public water supply system to determine whether drinking water is safe and potable, which indicates that drinking water may not be safe and potable, shall be reported concurrently to the public water supply system and to the director.

(b) It is the responsibility of all suppliers of public drinking water to protect the potable water system from contamination or pollution and to report any sampling, monitoring, testing result or laboratory analysis indicating contamination or pollution to the director, in accordance with rules promulgated by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-62 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-62
§ 46-25-62. Exemption of the commissions revenue bonds and notes from taxation.
Status: in_force

Revenue bonds and notes of the commission, and the income (including gain from sale or exchange) therefrom, shall at all times be free from taxation of every kind of the state of Rhode Island and the municipalities and all political subdivisions thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-13 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-13
§ 46-10-13. Suit by town for unclaimed property.
Status: in_force

If the commissioner shall, for the space for sixty (60) days after the expiration of the year limited for the commissioners accounting to the town treasurer in § 46-10-11, neglect to present his or her inventory and account before mentioned and to pay and deliver the balance due thereon, together with all the property remaining in the commissioners hands, the town treasurer shall cause a suit to be commenced in the treasurers name therefor for the use of the town, and shall prosecute the suit to final judgment and execution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-21 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-21
§ 46-10-21. Action for amounts due director.
Status: in_force

If the parties shall not agree to submit the case to arbitrators, or if the case is submitted and either party is dissatisfied with the decision of the arbitrators, then the case may be decided in a civil action to be commenced and prosecuted as the circumstances may require, unless the case shall be a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the United States.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-27 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-27
§ 46-12-27. Penalty for falsification of report.
Status: in_force

Any person, firm, or corporation who shall falsify any report required by § 46-12-25, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding four hundred dollars ($400), or by imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-22 / Section 46-22-4
§ 46-22-4. Identification number and registration fee.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), the owner of each motorboat shall file biennially an application for registration with the department of environmental management on forms approved by the director. The application shall be accompanied by a registration fee according to the following schedule:

(i) For the purpose of the above fee schedule, overall length shall be defined as the horizontal distance between the foremost part of the stem, and, the aftermost part of the stern, excluding bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets, and similar fittings or attachments. For purposes of this section, a fraction of a foot shall be deemed to be the next higher foot.

(ii) The fee payable under this section for any motorboat owned by a nonprofit organization shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).

(iii) All vessels over thirty feet (30²) may, upon request, pay the registration fee annually at the rate of one-half (Â½) the biennial fee for a vessel of the same length.

(2) Upon receipt of the completed application and correct registration fee, the department of environmental management shall enter the application and registration fee into its records, and issue to the owner a certificate of number stating the number awarded to the motorboat and the name and address of the owner. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat the identification number in such manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the department of environmental management in order that it may be clearly visible. The number shall be maintained in legible condition. The certificate of number shall be pocket size and shall be available at all times for inspection on the motorboat for which issued, whenever that motorboat is in operation.

(b) The owner of any motorboat already covered by an identification number, in full force and effect, which has been awarded to it pursuant to then operative federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state, shall record the number with the department of environmental management prior to operating the motorboat on the waters of this state in excess of the ninety (90) day reciprocity period provided for in §46-22-6(a). The recordation shall be in the manner and subject to the procedure and fees required for the award and transfer of a number under subsections (a) and (c) through (i), except that no additional or substitute number shall be issued.

(c) Should the ownership of a motorboat change, a new application form shall be filed with the department of environmental management. Should the change in ownership take place before the date upon which the certificate of number expires, the new owner shall pay an administrative fee of ten dollars ($10.00). The number assigned to the vessel shall remain with the vessel and be non-transferable while the vessel remains certified in the state of Rhode Island; provided, however, that upon the request of the owner of a duly registered vessel of historic value that is more than fifty (50) years old, the number assigned to the vessel may be transferred to a different historic vessel owned by the same person. The original vessel will be given a new registration number and the owner shall pay a transfer fee of six dollars ($6.00) for each vessel.

(d) In the event that an agency of the United States government shall have in force an overall system of identification numbering for motorboats within the United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this chapter by the department of environmental management shall be in conformity therewith.

(e) All records of the department of environmental management made or kept pursuant to this section shall be public records.

(f) The department of environmental management shall fix a day and month of the year on which the certificate of number is due to expire and no longer be of any force and effect, unless renewed pursuant to this chapter.

(g) The owner shall furnish the department of environmental management notice of the transfer of all or any part of the owners interest, other than the creation of a security interest in a motorboat numbered in this state, pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), or of the destruction or abandonment of the motorboat, within fifteen (15) days thereof. That destruction shall terminate the certificate of number for the motorboat.

(h) Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department of environmental management within fifteen (15) days if the holders address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and shall, as a part of the notification, furnish the department of environmental management the new address. The department of environmental management may provide, in its rules and regulations, for the surrender of the certificate bearing the former address or for the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of the holder.

(i) No number, other than the number awarded to a motorboat or granted reciprocity pursuant to this chapter, shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of the motorboat.

(j) Biennial registration shall be phased in, alphabetically, over a two (2) year period starting January 1, 1999 at which time all owners whose last names begin with the letters A through M applications for registration will be accepted for consideration on a biennial basis. Owners whose last names begin with the letters N through Z shall be subject to biennial registration starting January 1, 2000.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-9.2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-22 / Section 46-22-9.2
§ 46-22-9.2. Flotation devices  Children.
Status: in_force

Any person transporting a child under thirteen (13) years of age in a recreational vessel less than sixty-five (65) feet in length on the waters of this state shall require that the child wear a personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard when underway, unless below deck or in a closed cabin.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-1-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-1 / Section 46-1-5
§ 46-1-5. Appropriations and disbursements.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for the payment of the salaries of the director and his or her assistants, and for all other expenses of the department; the sum to be paid upon vouchers approved by the director of environmental management.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-3-18 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-3 / Section 46-3-18
§ 46-3-18. Transfer of land to municipality.
Status: in_force

(a) Title to any land or interest therein purchased or acquired for carrying out the purposes of this chapter shall vest in the municipality for which it is acquired upon transfer of title from the state as the acquiring authority hereunder.

(b) The transfer of title by the state and the acceptance by the municipality of any exposed beach area acquired under authority of this chapter shall hereby be expressly deemed to dedicate the property henceforth to the public use; and, subject to such stipulations as may pertain to access to and use of the land, all regulations in respect thereto shall apply alike to the citizens of the municipality and to the citizens of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-14 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-14
§ 46-10-14. Bond of director.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of environmental management shall give bond to the general treasurer for the faithful discharge of the directors duty under this chapter with sufficient sureties to the acceptance of the general treasurer, in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000); and any person, having a claim against the director for any breach or neglect of the directors official duty, may have a remedy therefor by a suit on his or her bond, to be prosecuted in the name of the general treasurer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-17-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-17 / Section 46-17-5
§ 46-17-5. Powers.
Status: in_force

There is hereby granted, to the commission and member from this state, all powers provided for in the compact and all powers necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact in every particular. All officers of this state are hereby authorized and directed to do all things necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the compact in every particular; it being hereby declared to be the policy of this state to perform and carry out the compact and the purposes thereof. All powers granted to the commission shall be in aid of and supplemental to, and in no event a limitation upon, the powers vested in the commission by the laws of this state or by the laws of other party states or by the congress or the terms of the compact.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-7 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-7
§ 46-23-7. Violations.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) In any instances wherein there is a violation of the coastal resources management program, or a violation of regulations or decisions of the council, the commissioner of coastal resources management shall have the power to order any person to cease and desist or to remedy any violation of any provisions of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, assent, order, or decision of the council whenever the commissioner of coastal resources management shall have reasonable grounds to believe that such violation has occurred.

(2) Council staff, conservation officers within the department of environmental management, and state and municipal police shall be empowered to issue written cease and desist orders in any instance where activity is being conducted which constitutes a violation of any provisions of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, assent, order, or decision of the council.

(3) Conservation officers within the department of environmental management, council staff, and state and municipal police shall have authority to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a warrant to enter on private land to investigate possible violations of this chapter; provided, that they have reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has been committed, is being committed, or is about to be committed.

(b) Any order or notice issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall be eligible for recordation under chapter 13 of title 34, and shall be recorded in the land evidence records in the city/town wherein the property subject to the order is located, and any subsequent transferee of the property shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of the order and notice.

(c) The coastal resources management council shall discharge of record any notice filed pursuant to subsection (b) within thirty (30) days after the violation has been remedied.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-3-14 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-3 / Section 46-3-14
§ 46-3-14. Apportionment of assessments.
Status: in_force

Whenever any assessment is made as herein provided, the amount to be raised thereby shall be apportioned among the properties benefited according to such rule as the legislative body may adopt; provided that no benefits shall be assessed against any property in excess of the special benefit to accrue to the property. The legislative body may make reasonable allowances when for any reason the particular condition or situation of any property requires the allowance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-13 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-13
§ 46-13-13. Complaints.
Status: in_force

The director shall proceed with a hearing pursuant to § 46-13-12 whenever a written complaint made against any public drinking water supplier shall be substantiated by investigation. Any proceedings, pursuant to § 46-13-12, resulting from the complaint shall be held at a public location.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-25 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-25
§ 46-9-25. Appeals from commission.
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the commission under the provisions of this chapter may obtain judicial review under the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-15.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-15.1
§ 46-23-15.1. Coordination of harbor safety and enforcement patrols.
Status: in_force

Coastal municipalities which share a common boundary along their public waters may enter into a binding memorandum of agreement allowing for harbormasters and other officials charged with enforcement of harbor management plan harbor ordinances from one coastal municipality to enforce the harbor ordinances of the bordering coastal municipality upon the public waters of the bordering coastal municipality when the coastal municipalities have harbor management plans approved by the coastal resources management council and the memorandum of agreement is approved by the respective town or city councils. This binding memorandum of agreement shall specify how each coastal municipality is to receive any fines collected under this reciprocal enforcement agreement and the jurisdiction in which any disputes arising out of this reciprocal enforcement agreement shall be litigated.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-32-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-32 / Section 46-32-5
§ 46-32-5. Groundwater quality standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Status: in_force

On or before December 31, 2023, the director or the department of environmental management shall file under § 42-35-4 a final rule with the secretary of state to adopt groundwater quality standards for, at a minimum, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) consistent with authority provided by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-26 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-26
§ 46-25-26. Rules and regulations  Notice of rule review.
Status: in_force

The commission may adopt rules and regulations, or any amendment to existing rules and regulations, according to the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42. The commission shall also give notice thereof, prior to the effective date thereof, by sending, by registered or certified mail, a copy thereof to each person interested therein who shall have registered with the commission his or her name and address, with a request to be so notified. Review of those rules may be had as provided in chapter 35 of title 42.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-10
§ 46-13-10. Correction of unsafe conditions.
Status: in_force

When the water from a public water supply system is not safe, potable, or is subject to contamination as determined by the director, the person maintaining the public water supply system shall take immediate action to correct sanitary defects, improve operation, provide necessary water treatment, or make any other changes or additions necessary to provide safe and potable water.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-19.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-19.1
§ 46-25-19.1. Recording of sewer systems.
Status: in_force

Starting on January 1, 2012, the commission shall maintain as-built drawings and plans on any new or upgraded sewer main it owns and operates. Such as-built drawings and plans shall be the responsibility of the person that the commission has designated and shall be in a form designated by the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-5-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-5 / Section 46-5-10
§ 46-5-10. Lease of facilities.
Status: in_force

The director may from time to time, in the name of the state of Rhode Island, lease any property, whether improved or unimproved, acquired by purchase or by the process of law, and storage facilities, wharves, piers, bulkheads, docks, sheds, warehouses, and industrial locations within the directors charge, for such term or terms not exceeding twenty (20) years, except for the port of Galilee, in which property may be leased for a term of up to forty (40) years and for any rent and with such provisions and covenants as to the director shall seem to be advantageous to the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-29 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-29
§ 46-25-29. Notice of decisions by commission.
Status: in_force

Within a reasonable time following the conclusion of the hearing, the commission shall render its decision and findings and shall give notice thereof by publication in some newspaper published in the county of Providence, and by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail to each person interested therein who shall have registered with the commission his or her name and address with a request to be so notified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-7-5 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-7 / Section 46-7-5
§ 46-7-5. Misuse or injury to markers in Bristol and Conimicut areas.
Status: in_force

Every person who shall make fast any ship, vessel, scow, boat, seine, or raft of any kind to the buoy on the shoal south of Conimicut Point or to the stake on that point or to the flagstaff on the halfway rock or to any stake which has been or may be placed at the mouth of Bristol Harbor, or to any of the moorings of those buoys, and the master or owner of the ship, vessel, scow, boat, seine, or raft, shall forfeit twenty dollars ($20.00); to be recovered in the county of Kent, in the county of Bristol or in the county of Providence; one-third ( ) thereof to the use of the person who shall sue for the amount due, and two-thirds ( ) thereof to be paid to the collector of customs within whose district the offense shall be committed, for the use of the United States.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-18.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-18.1
§ 46-23-18.1. Permitting.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person, either as principal, agent, or servant, or any firm, corporation or any other entity desiring to conduct any activity or activities specified in § 46-23-18 shall file an application for a permit with the coastal resources management council upon forms furnished by coastal resources management council.

(b) A hearing shall be held on the application within thirty (30) days of filing.

(c) The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that the activity or activities specified in the application will cause no significant adverse impact upon the environment or natural resources of the state, and the coastal resources management council shall be empowered to deny the application if the applicant does not demonstrate, in addition to other requirements of this chapter, that the activity or activities will not:

(i) Significantly adversely affect any shellfish management area as designated by the department of environmental management or the marine fisheries council;

(ii) Be in a significant conflict with the marine ecology within or adjacent to the states territorial waters; or

(iii) Significantly harm or destroy existing fishing grounds.

(d) With respect to an application seeking a permit from the coastal resources management council to conduct or cause to conduct dredging, transportation and/or disposal of dredge material, the applicant shall also satisfy the council that the proposal in the application is consistent with a comprehensive program developed pursuant to § 46-23-6(1)(ii)(H).

(e) In determining whether an applicant has met the burden of proof under subsection (c), the coastal resources management council shall apply standards that conform with the federal Environmental Protection Agencys applicable standards and guidelines for the management of dredge materials, including, but not limited to, the federal Environmental Protection Agencys rules, regulations and guidelines for deviating from said standards.

(f) The applicant shall, at least three (3) days before commencing any dredging, give written notice to the coastal resources management council of the intent to commence the activities specified in the permit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-2
§ 46-4-2. City and town control of harbors  Harbormasters  Extension of Providence jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(a) The council of any city or town is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a harbormaster for the harbors within the confines of the city or town, and to ordain and establish such bylaws and ordinances and establish such fees and compensation as the city council or town council may deem necessary and expedient for carrying out the provisions of this section; provided, that the jurisdiction, powers, and duties of the harbormaster of the city of Providence shall include all the public waters westerly of the easterly sides of the ship channels in Seekonk River, Providence River and Harbor and Narragansett Bay from the Pawtucket-Providence city line southerly to the point of intersection of the ship-channel side with a straight line drawn from Rumstick Point on the east shore to Rocky Point on the west shore, excluding that area subject to jurisdiction of the city of Cranston, pursuant to the provisions of § 46-4-5.1, and all acts of the general assembly and ordinances of the city of Providence, now or hereafter passed, relative to the harbor of the city of Providence, shall apply to and be in force relative to the public waters.

(b) The council of the town of Little Compton is hereby authorized and empowered to enact ordinances to regulate or ban the setting of lobster pots, fish nets, or cribs, within the harbor at Little Compton to prevent interference with the use of moorings or navigation therein; provided, further, that all harbormasters shall receive education and training in first aid and CPR from any entity which is authorized or licensed to conduct the training or education; provided, further, that all harbormasters shall attend The Rhode Island Harbormaster Training Academy.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-14-6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-14 / Section 46-14-6
§ 46-14-6. Inspection of premises.
Status: in_force

In order to enforce the provisions of this chapter, the director of health shall have the power to go upon the premises of any person for the purpose of inspection.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-49 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-49
§ 46-25-49. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provisions of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, or order made thereunder, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter, rule, regulation, or order, and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section or sections of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter, and it is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this chapter would have been enacted if the invalid parts had not been included therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-7.3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-7.3
§ 46-23-7.3. Criminal penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter, the coastal resources management program, or any rule, regulation, assent, or order shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment of not more than three (3) months or both; and each day the violation is continued or repeated shall be deemed a separate offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-63 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-63
§ 46-25-63. Revenue notes and bonds as legal investments.
Status: in_force

The revenue notes and bonds of the commission are hereby made securities in which all public officers, state agencies, public corporations, and bodies of this state, and all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state of Rhode Island, may properly and legally invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-2-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-2 / Section 46-2-10
§ 46-2-10. Agreement by town or city to hold federal government harmless.
Status: in_force

The town council of any town and the city council of any city are authorized to give assurances that the respective town or city will hold and save the United States harmless from claims and damages resulting from the improvement or protection project and to enter into agreement with the United States for these purposes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-2-21 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-2 / Section 46-2-21
§ 46-2-21. Cooperation with federal government.
Status: in_force

(a) The city or town shall have full power and authority to cooperate with and assist the federal government in all matters relating to the planning, constructing, equipping, maintenance, and operation of the projects in the event that the federal government shall make any federal funds or federal assistance available therefor. The city or town, with the approval of the governor, is hereby authorized to accept, on behalf of the city or town, the provisions of the federal legislation, and may file written evidence of the acceptance with the federal government. Each such acceptance shall be duly signed by the city or town treasurer and countersigned by the governor.

(b) The treasurer may enter into all necessary contracts and agreements with the federal government, or any agency thereof, necessary or incident to the carrying out of the flood control project or projects and may give assurance that it will hold and save harmless the United States and/or the state from claims for damages arising from construction works, and all the contracts and agreements shall be approved as to form by the attorney general and be signed by the city or town treasurer in behalf of the city or town and in the name of the state by the governor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-2
§ 46-23-2. Coastal resources management council created  Appointment of members.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created the coastal resources management council. The coastal resources management council shall consist of ten (10) members. Nine (9) members shall be appointed by the governor, with advice and consent of the senate, and one member shall serve ex officio. All current appointments to the coastal resources management council made by the governor with advice and consent of the senate are hereby validated and ratified and those appointees shall serve until a new seven-member (7) council is selected pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or for the remainder of their term, whichever shall occur first.

(1) Six (6) of the members shall be appointed or elected officials of local government: three (3) of whom shall be appointed or elected officials in a municipality of fewer than twenty-five thousand (25,000) in population, three (3) of whom shall be appointed or elected officials in a municipality of more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) in population. The populations are to be determined by the latest federal census. Elected or appointed municipal officials shall hold seats on the council only so long as they remain in their elected or appointed office. Each municipal appointment shall cease if the appointed or elected official shall no longer hold or change the office which they held upon appointment. At least five (5) out of the six (6) appointed or elected members must be appointed or elected in a coastal municipality. When the governor submits his or her appointments to the senate for advice and consent, the governor shall specify the appointed or elected office that each municipal appointment holds; the population of the municipality represented; and the member being replaced.

(2)  (4) [Deleted by P.L. 2025, ch. 304, § 1 and P.L. 2025, ch. 313, § 1.]

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, on March 1, 2026, all current members of the coastal resources management council shall have their terms expire. In anticipation thereof, prior to March 1, 2026, the governor shall appoint a coastal resources management council that shall consist of seven (7) voting members, one of whom shall be the director of the department of environmental management who shall serve ex officio. The six (6) remaining members shall be public members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. All appointed members shall possess background, qualifications, and expertise in environmental and coastal management matters, provided that one of whom shall be an engineer; one of whom shall be a coastal biologist; and one of whom shall be a representative of an environmental organization. Current or past service on the coastal resources management council shall not disqualify an individual from reappointment pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the seven-member (7) council is not seated by March 1, 2026, in accordance with this section, the members appointed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall continue to serve until such time as all members are appointed and confirmed in accordance with this section.

(c) In addition to the foregoing voting members, the coastal resources management council may include a varying number of other members who may serve in an advisory capacity without the right to vote and who may be invited to serve by either the governor or the voting members. These advisory members may represent the federal agencies such as the navy, coast guard, corps of engineers, public health service, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, and such regional agencies as the New England River Basins Commission and the New England Regional Commission and any other group or interest not otherwise represented.

(d) There may be established a coastal resources advisory committee which committee, appointed by the executive director of the coastal resources management council, may include, but not be limited to, representation from the following groups: one of whom may be a representative of the university of Rhode Island graduate school of oceanography and the college of resources development, one of whom may be a representative of the Sea Grant National College Program, one of whom may be a representative of the army corps of engineers, one of whom may be a representative of the federal environmental protection agencys Narragansett Bay laboratory, one of whom shall be a representative of the coastal resources management council, one of whom may be the director of the department of environmental management; one of whom may be a member of the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association and one of whom may be a representative of a regional environmental group. The coastal resources management council shall have the authority to appoint such additional members to the advisory committee as is deemed necessary or advisable by the advisory committee or the council. It shall be the responsibility of the committee to advise the coastal resources management council on environmental coastal resources management issues relating to dredging and permitting related thereto, including, but not limited to, those issues defined in §§ 46-23-18.1  46-23-18.3, inclusive.

(e) The council shall have the authority to form committees of other advisory groups as needed from both its own members and others.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-2.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-2.1
§ 46-13-2.1. Approval required.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall operate or maintain a public water supply system unless the system is approved by the director of health. Applications for approval shall be made to the director on forms provided for this purpose.

(b) Upon receipt of an application, the director shall review the application, supporting documents, and conduct an inspection of the public water supply system to determine if it meets the requirements for approval set forth in this chapter and the regulations adopted hereunder. If, after review, the director determines that the public water supply system complies with the requirements of this chapter and the regulations adopted hereunder, approval of the application to operate or maintain a public water supply system shall be granted.

(c) An approval, unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire on the 30th day of June following its issuance and may be reviewed from year to year. Each approval shall be issued only for the public water supply system and persons named on the application, and shall not be transferable or assignable.

(d) The initial fee for any approval and the approval renewal fee shall be established by the director by regulation. The fees, as established by the director, shall be related to the costs incurred in operating the program and may include administrative, personnel, equipment, laboratory services and such other related costs necessary to carry out the provisions of this section of the law. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-35 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-35
§ 46-9-35. Inspection  Fees.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of environmental management shall have the authority to inspect all vessels on behalf of the pilotage commission for the purpose of enforcing this chapter. The director shall charge a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each vessel so inspected. The director shall place all money collected pursuant to this section into a restricted receipt account entitled the Vessel Pilot Inspection Program and shall use the money collected to support activities under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-24-15 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-24 / Section 46-24-15
§ 46-24-15. Offices.
Status: in_force

Upon organization, the authority shall proceed to lease, rent, or buy facilities that are necessary to establish a permanent office which shall be open at reasonable business hours to the public.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-22 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-22
§ 46-25-22. Payment of sewer user fees, charges and assessments.
Status: in_force

The commission shall proceed under the provisions of this chapter to collect the fees, charges, and assessments from any person so assessed. Each person so assessed shall pay the fees, charges, or assessments within the time frame prescribed by the rules and regulations of the commission. The commission may collect the fees, charges, and assessments in the same manner in which taxes are collected by municipalities, with no additional fees, charges, assessments, or penalties other than those provided for in chapter 9 of title 44. Provided, however, that such fees, charges and assessments against residential condominium occupants or residential condominium associations shall be set at a residential rate and not at a business, commercial, or other rate. All unpaid charges shall be a lien upon the real estate of the person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-15 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-15
§ 46-23-15. Federal grants and interstate cooperation.
Status: in_force

The council is authorized to accept any federal grants. It is further given the power to administer land and water use regulations as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq., and to acquire fee simple and less than fee simple interests under any federal or state program. The council is authorized to coordinate and cooperate with other states in furtherance of its purposes. The council may expend those grants and appropriations. The coastal resources management council for the purposes of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq., is the coastal zone agency under §§ 301 through 313 and §§ 318 and 6217 of said act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-32 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-32
§ 46-25-32. Procedure for hearings on orders.
Status: in_force

The provisions of §§ 46-25-27  46-25-30 relative to hearings and judicial review, shall be applicable to all hearings and decisions under § 46-25-31.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-13 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-13
§ 46-28-13. Chapter does not abrogate or affect § 2-23-5.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained herein shall abrogate or affect the provisions outlined in § 2-23-5.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-24.2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-24.2
§ 46-12-24.2. Rhode Island Clean Water Act environmental trust fund.
Status: in_force

(a) Findings. (1) Protecting the ground and surface water of the state from pollution is vital to the health and general welfare of the citizens of the state; (2) Construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of modern and efficient waste water treatment systems and facilities is essential to protecting and improving the states water quality and to the states development; (3) Significant nonpoint sources of pollution and combinations of sewerage and storm water runoff collection systems exist in the state and contribute to pollution; (4) Certain areas of the state continue to be served by septic systems even though those areas should be served by interceptors to carry pollutants to waste water treatment facilities; (5) Federal funds available to the state in the form of grants pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., are currently inadequate to permit Rhode Island governmental entities to achieve secondary treatment within a five (5) year period, and the anticipated reduction in federal funds available to the state and its governmental units may make it difficult to achieve the goal of improvement to the states water quality; (6) A fund should be established to provide sufficient continuing financial resources so that the state may achieve its water quality goals by providing for loans and grants to governmental entities and others.

(b) Creation of fund. There is hereby created the Rhode Island Clean Water Act environmental trust fund (hereinafter referred to as the fund or the Trust Fund) into which shall be deposited with the general treasurer of the state of Rhode Island:

(1) Proceeds from the sale of bonds and notes, including any premiums and accrued interest, issued under or advances pursuant to, article III of the Public Laws 1987, chapter 289;

(2) State appropriations;

(3) Repayment of loans from entities which have been qualified to receive loans by the director;

(4) Federal grants and loans; and

(5) Unless otherwise specified by the director, all other money, including gifts, bequests, administrative, and civil and criminal penalties received in connection with the enforcement of this chapter, or other funds from any public or private sources which money are intended to improve water quality.

(c) Use of fund; purposes. All money in the fund shall be expended in accordance with the general laws of the state of Rhode Island, and are hereby specifically restricted to providing grants and loans, and required state share or related expenses for the Narragansett Bay study, consistent with the provisions of this chapter and with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time. Proceeds from the sale of bonds and notes deposited into the fund shall be expended in accordance with the proposition approved by the people. Any proceeds from the sale of bonds or notes approved by the people after 1988, may also be expended for the Narragansett Bay study to develop and implement a conservation and management plan, and by the department of environmental management to implement a management program for the control of water pollution from nonpoint sources, including all necessary administrative costs. With respect to the fund, the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment out of the fund of such sum or sums as may be required from time to time upon receipt by him or her of properly authenticated vouchers approved by the director (as hereinafter defined) or his or her delegate. Expenses of issue of the bonds and notes issued under article III of Public Laws 1987, chapter 289, may be paid from the fund.

(d) Administration of fund. All money in the fund shall be expended under the direction and supervision of the director and the director or the directors delegate, as the case may be, shall be vested with all power and authority necessary and incidental to the purposes of this chapter, and these powers and authorities granted to the director or the directors delegate, as the case may be, shall be in addition to and not in substitution for all other power provided by law.

(e) Investment of money in fund. All money in the fund not immediately required for payment pursuant to the provisions of this section may be invested by the state investment commission as established by chapter 10 of title 35; provided, however, that the securities in which the fund is invested shall remain part of the fund until exchanged for other securities, and provided, further, that the income from any investments shall remain as part of the fund, unless prohibited by applicable federal law.

(f) Advances from general fund. The general treasurer is authorized from time to time with the approval of the governor and the director of the department of administration in anticipation of the receipts of funds enumerated in subsection (b) to advance sums to the fund for the purposes specified in subsection (c), any funds of the state not specifically held for any particular purposes; provided, however, that any advances made to the fund shall be returned to the general fund forthwith upon receipt by the fund of monies to the extent of the advances.

(g) Termination of fund. Upon a finding by the director that the fund is no longer needed for its purposes, the fund shall be terminated and shall be audited. Ninety (90) days following the final audit of the fund by the state auditor general, the fund shall cease to exist and any unobligated money in the fund shall be transferred to the states general fund and shall be applied to the payment of debt service charges of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-1-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-1 / Section 46-1-1
§ 46-1-1. General duties of director.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of environmental management shall have control and supervision of all the harbors and tidewaters of the state, for the preservation, development, and improvement thereof and the promotion of the interests of the state therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-11-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-11 / Section 46-11-3
§ 46-11-3. Penalty for violations.
Status: in_force

Every person who shall take or carry off from the beach any seaweed, contrary to the provisions of this chapter, shall forfeit ten dollars ($10.00) for each and every load of seaweed so carried off, one-half (Â½) thereof to the use of the person suing for the same and one-half (Â½) thereof to the use of the town of Barrington.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-45 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-45
§ 46-25-45. Appropriation.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of paying initial expenses of administration and operation of the commission, there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of that sum, or so much thereof as may be required, from time to time, upon receipt by the controller of proper vouchers signed by the director of the department of administration and approved by the governor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-12 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-12
§ 46-13-12. Hearing on unsafe conditions  Order to correct deficiencies.
Status: in_force

Whenever investigations indicate that the water from a public water supply system is not safe, potable, or is subject to contamination and, in the opinion of the director, the health of the water consumers is or may become endangered, the director may call the person maintaining the system to a hearing at a time and place designated by the director. The notice of the hearing shall be served in person or by registered mail upon the person giving the time, place, and reason for the hearing; and in the case of a municipality or a corporation, the service shall be upon an officer thereof. At the hearing, the person maintaining the water supply system shall be given an opportunity to show cause why sanitary defects should not be corrected or operation of the water supply system improved in order to make the water safe and potable; and, if in the opinion of the director cause is not shown, the director shall order in writing any such corrections, changes, or additions to be made as may be necessary to provide safe and potable water, directing that within a specified time thereafter, corrections, changes, or additions shall be provided. The authority of the director, as set forth herein, shall be in addition to the authority of the director as set forth in §§ 46-13-2.2, 46-13-15, and 46-13-16, and any other provision of law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-19 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-19
§ 46-9-19. Commissions prohibited.
Status: in_force

No master, agent, owner, or consignee shall charge a commission or receive any payment, directly or indirectly, for the assignment of pilotage, nor shall any pilot pay or offer to pay to any person any commission for the assignment of pilotage.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-5-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-5 / Section 46-5-1
§ 46-5-1. Power to acquire land along tidewater.
Status: in_force

The department of environmental management is authorized to acquire in fee simple from the state as authorized in § 46-5-1.1 or in the name of the state for the use and benefit of the public, by purchase or condemnation or by lease from time to time, any portion of real property, tide-flowed lands, plats, terms, easements, privileges, foreshore, riparian, and littoral rights of the owner or owners of them, bordering on tidewater in the state and as much of the uplands adjacent to the tide lands as the director of the department of environmental management deems expedient.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-4.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-4.1
§ 46-9-4.1. Piloting without charts.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any pilot to pilot any vessel, including a tug, without having in his or her possession on the vessel being piloted current charts of all waters through which the vessel is being piloted. Likewise, it shall be unlawful for any tug to tow any barge or other craft of any size without first having on board, and available for use, current charts of all waters through which the barge or other craft is being towed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-24-12 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-24 / Section 46-24-12
§ 46-24-12. Subcommittees.
Status: reserved

The board may create such subcommittees as may be necessary to carry out its duties, except that all powers shall be reserved to the entire board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-10
§ 46-23-10. Cooperation of departments.
Status: in_force

All other departments and agencies and bodies of state government are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with and furnish such information as the council shall require.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-18-6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-18 / Section 46-18-6
§ 46-18-6. Appraisal of damages in gross.
Status: in_force

The jury shall also appraise what sum would be a just and reasonable compensation to the plaintiff for all damages done to the plaintiff by the matters of the complaint set forth in his or her complaint, from the date of his or her action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-58 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-58
§ 46-25-58. Revenue bonds and notes of the commission.
Status: reserved

(a) The commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized to issue, from time to time, its negotiable revenue bonds and notes in one or more series in such principal amounts as in the opinion of the commission shall be necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving its purposes, including the payment of interest on revenue bonds and notes of the commission to the extent permitted by law, the establishment of reserves to secure the revenue bonds and notes (including the reserve funds created pursuant to § 46-25-60), and the making of all other expenditures of the commission incident to and necessary or convenient to carrying out its corporate purposes and powers.

(b) All revenue bonds and notes issued by the commission, may be secured by the full faith and credit of the commission and may be payable solely out of the revenues, earnings, and receipts of the commission or such other property pledged for payment. The revenue bonds and notes may be executed and delivered by the commission at any time, from time to time, may be in such form and denominations and of such tenor and maturities, and may be in bearer or registered form, as to principal and interest or as to principal alone, all as the commission, in its sole discretion, may determine.

(c) Revenue bonds may be payable in such installments, and at such times not exceeding fifty (50) years from the date thereof, as shall be determined by the commission.

(d) Revenue notes may be payable in such installments and at such times not exceeding ten (10) years from the date of the original issue of such revenue notes, as shall be determined by the commission.

(e) Revenue bonds and notes may be payable at such places, whether within or without the state of Rhode Island, may bear interest at such rate or rates payable at such time or times and at such place or places evidenced in such manner, and may contain such provisions not inconsistent herewith, all as shall be provided in the proceedings of the commission under which they shall be authorized to be issued.

(f) There may be retained, by provision made in the proceedings under which any revenue bonds or revenue notes of the commission are authorized to be issued, an option to redeem all or any part thereof at such prices and upon such notice, and on such further terms and conditions, as shall be set forth on the record of the proceedings and on the face of the revenue bonds and notes.

(g) Any revenue bonds or revenue notes of the commission may be sold, from time to time, at such prices, at public or private sale, and in such manner as shall be determined by the commission, and the commission shall pay all expenses, premiums, and commissions that it shall deem necessary or advantageous in connection with the issuance and sale thereof.

(h) Moneys of the commission, including proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds or revenue notes, and revenues, receipts, and income from any of its sewage treatment facilities, may be invested and reinvested in such obligations, securities, and other investments consistent with this chapter, and to the extent permitted by the general laws of the state of Rhode Island, and/or as shall be specified in the resolutions under which the revenue bonds or revenue notes are authorized.

(i) Issuance by the commission of one or more series of revenue bonds or revenue notes for one or more purposes shall not preclude it from issuing other revenue bonds or revenue notes, but the proceedings whereunder any subsequent revenue bonds or revenue notes may be issued shall recognize and protect a prior pledge or mortgage made for a prior issue of revenue bonds or revenue notes, unless in the proceedings authorizing the prior issue, the right is reserved to issue subsequent revenue bonds or revenue notes on a parity with the prior issue.

(j) The commission is authorized to issue revenue bonds or revenue notes for the purpose of refunding its revenue bonds or revenue notes then outstanding, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the earliest or subsequent date of redemption, purchase or maturity, of the revenue bonds or revenue notes, and, if deemed advisable by the commission, for the additional purpose of paying all or part of the cost of acquiring, financing, extending, operating, maintaining, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, developing, planning, or improving any sewage treatment facility. The proceeds of revenue bonds or revenue notes issued for the purpose of refunding outstanding revenue bonds or revenue notes may be applied, in the discretion of the commission, to the purchase, retirement at maturity, or redemption of the outstanding revenue bonds or revenue notes either on their earliest or a subsequent redemption date, and may, pending an application, be placed in escrow. Any escrowed proceeds may be invested and reinvested in obligations of the United States and, to the extent permitted by the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the revenue bonds to be refunded, in obligations guaranteed by the United States, or in certificates of deposit or time deposits secured or guaranteed by the state of Rhode Island or the United States, or an instrumentality of either, maturing at such time or times as shall be appropriate to assure the prompt payment, as to principal, interest, and redemption premium, if any, of the outstanding revenue bonds or revenue notes to be so refunded. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, the interest, income, and profits, if any, earned or realized on any investment may also be applied to the payment of the outstanding revenue bonds or revenue notes to be so refunded. After the terms of the escrow have been fully satisfied and carried out, any balance of the proceeds and interest, income, and profits, if any, earned or realized on the investments thereof, may be returned to the commission for its use. The portion of the proceeds of revenue bonds or revenue notes issued for the additional purpose of paying all or part of the cost of acquiring, financing, extending, operating, maintaining, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, developing, planning, or improving any sewage treatment facility, may be invested and reinvested in such obligations, securities, and other investments consistent herewith as shall be specified in the resolutions under which the revenue bonds or revenue notes are authorized, and which shall mature not later than the times when the proceeds will be needed for such purposes. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, the interest, income, and profits, if any, earned or realized on the investments may be applied to the payment of all parts of the costs or may be used by the commission otherwise in furtherance of its purposes.

(k) The members, the chairperson of the commission, the executive director, and other persons executing the revenue bonds or revenue notes shall not be subject to personal liability or accountability by reasons of the issuance thereof.

(l) Revenue bonds or revenue notes may be issued under the provisions of this section without obtaining the consent of any department, division, commission, board, body, bureau, or agency of the state of Rhode Island, and without any other proceedings or the happening of any conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions, or things which are specifically required by this section and by the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the revenue bonds or revenue notes or the trust agreement securing the bonds or notes.

(m) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commission shall not issue any bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness without the approval of the division of public utilities as required by § 39-3-15.

(n) The commission, subject to such agreements with noteholders or bondholders as may then be in force, shall have the power, out of any funds available therefor, to purchase revenue bonds or revenue notes of the commission, which shall thereupon be cancelled, at a price not exceeding:

(1) If the revenue bonds or revenue notes are then redeemable, the redemption price then applicable plus accrued interest to the next interest payment date, or

(2) If the revenue bonds or revenue notes are not then redeemable, the redemption price applicable on the earliest date that the revenue bonds or revenue notes become subject to redemption, plus the interest that would have accrued to such date.

(o) Whether or not the revenue bonds and notes are of such form and character as to be negotiable instruments under the terms of the Rhode Island Uniform Commercial Code, the revenue bonds and notes are hereby made negotiable instruments within the meaning of and for all the purposes of the Rhode Island Uniform Commercial Code.

(p) If a member or officer of the commission whose signature appears on revenue bonds, revenue notes, or coupons shall cease to be a member or officer before the delivery of the revenue bonds or revenue notes, the signature shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if the member or officer had remained in office until the delivery.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-10
§ 46-15-10. Public nuisances  Abatement.
Status: in_force

(a) Any violation of any provision of this chapter, any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter, or any term or condition of any permit, shall constitute a public nuisance. Any person, municipality, municipal water department or agency, special water district, or private water company, committing a violation shall be liable for the costs of abatement of any pollution and any public nuisance caused by the violation. The superior court is hereby given jurisdiction over actions to recover the costs of the abatement.

(b) Any activity or condition declared by this chapter to be a nuisance or which is otherwise in violation of this chapter, shall be abatable in the manner provided by law or equity for the abatement of public nuisances. In addition, the water resources board may proceed in equity to abate nuisances or to restrain or prevent any violation of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-24-19 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-24 / Section 46-24-19
§ 46-24-19. Right to alter, amend, or repeal chapter.
Status: reserved

The right to alter, amend, or repeal this chapter is hereby expressly reserved, but no such alteration, amendment, or repeal shall operate to impair the obligation of any contract made by the authority under any power conferred by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-1
§ 46-4-1. Platting and establishment of harbor lines  Hearing.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of environmental management may mark out harbor lines suitable to be established in any of the public tidewaters of the state, where the harbor lines have not already been established, and after the harbor lines shall have been platted may report that to the governor and senate for their approval; and when the harbor lines shall have been approved by the governor and senate or as the harbor lines shall be modified and approved thereby, the harbor lines shall be confirmed and established; but before any harbor line shall be marked out or platted by the director of the department of environmental management, the director shall appoint a time and place for hearing all persons interested therein, and shall give notice of the hearing by publishing the notice for at least thirty (30) days in the newspaper which the director may determine will probably give the most publicity of the notice among the persons most likely to be interested therein, and at the time and place appointed, or at such adjournment of the hearing as the director shall make, the director shall hear all persons interested for or against the establishment of the harbor line, who may appear to be heard therein before the department shall proceed to mark out the harbor line.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-22 / Section 46-22-10
§ 46-22-10. Collisions, accidents, and casualties.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the operator of any motorboat or vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he or she can do so without serious danger to his or her own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty, such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also to give his or her name, address, and identification of his or her vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-4
§ 46-9-4. Piloting without license.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed as a pilot under this chapter to pilot or offer to pilot a vessel not exempt from the provisions of this chapter. It shall likewise be unlawful for any person on board a tug or towboat to tow a vessel not exempt from the provisions of this chapter, unless the vessel shall have on board, or be under the control of, a duly licensed state pilot.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-8-8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-8 / Section 46-8-8
§ 46-8-8. Altered or removed serial numbers  Penalties  Replacement identification numbers.
Status: in_force

(a) Whoever removes, defaces, alters, changes, destroys, obliterates, or mutilates, or causes to be removed or destroyed or in any way defaced, altered, changed, obliterated, or mutilated, the identification number of the manufacturer of a motor or engine designed for use in or on a boat, with intent thereby to conceal the identity of the motor or engine, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Whoever possesses, sells, or otherwise disposes of or attempts to sell or otherwise dispose of such motor or engine, knowing or having reason to believe that the identifying number or numbers on the motor or engine have been so removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, obliterated, or mutilated, shall be punished by the same fine or imprisonment or both.

(b) This section shall not prohibit the restoration by an owner of an original serial, engine, or other number or mark when the restoration is made under permit issued by the director of the department of environmental management, or the directors designee, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing, in the ordinary course of business, numbers or marks upon a motor or engine or parts thereof.

(c) Any person who has in his or her possession any motor or engine or any part thereof, the identifying number or numbers of which have been removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, obliterated, or mutilated, can, on or before January 1, 1980, make application to the director of the department of environmental management for a replacement identification number. Upon a showing that the person in possession thereof is the rightful owner, the identification number shall be attached by the director of the department of environmental management, or the directors designee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-24.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-24.1
§ 46-12-24.1. State grants and loans for pollution prevention facilities to nongovernmental entities.
Status: in_force

The director is authorized within any limits of funds made available therefor, to make grants and loans to any nongovernmental entities in Rhode Island for the construction of necessary facilities to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated pollutants into the waters of the state, and for the preparation of reports, plans, and specifications required in connection therewith under the following terms:

(1) The plans and specifications for the project must be approved by the director in accordance with this chapter.

(2) No grant or loan shall be made for any project until the applicant has made provision satisfactory to the director for assuring its proper and efficient operation and maintenance.

(3) An applicant for a grant or loan must file such executed forms and provide such information as may be required by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-8
§ 46-10-8. Publication of notice of finding of wreck.
Status: in_force

The commissioner, as soon as may be after a wreck or shipwrecked goods shall be found, shall publish the particulars of the shipwreck or goods found, with any other material facts that he or she shall ascertain, in some daily newspaper published in the city of Providence, in order that knowledge thereof may be given as soon as possible to the owner, agent, or person interested; and if the commissioner shall neglect to do so, he or she shall forfeit one hundred dollars ($100), to be recovered in an action at the suit of the owner, agent, or person interested, to his or her own use.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-20-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-20 / Section 46-20-4
§ 46-20-4. Appeal.
Status: in_force

If either of the parties interested shall be aggrieved by the doings or orders of the town council, that party, or that partys heir or devisee, may appeal therefrom, according to the provisions of law, with reference to appeals from town councils.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-3
§ 46-28-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning:

(1) Council means the Rhode Island rivers council.

(2) River means a flowing body of water or estuary or a section, portion, or tributary thereof, including streams, creeks, brooks, ponds, and small lakes.

(3) Watershed means a land area which because of its topography, soil type, and drainage patterns acts as a collector of raw waters which regorge or replenish rivers and existing or planned public water supplies.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-24-11 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-24 / Section 46-24-11
§ 46-24-11. Payments in lieu of taxes.
Status: in_force

The authority shall pay annually in lieu of any property tax, as a charge upon its earnings and revenues, to each city, town, and district, or other district, a sum equal in amount to any property tax levied on any property by or on behalf of the town or district during the year next preceding the acquisition of the property by the authority. The authority shall have no power to levy or collect ad valorem property taxes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-13 / Section 46-13-1
§ 46-13-1. Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to aid in assuring the public is provided with safe and potable drinking water.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-32-7 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-32 / Section 46-32-7
§ 46-32-7. Investigation of potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination.
Status: in_force

(a) On or before November 1, 2023, the director of the department of environmental management shall publish a plan for public review and comment to complete a statewide investigation of potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. As part of this investigation, the director of the department of health shall conduct a pilot project at public water systems by an applicable analytical method to evaluate the maximum number of PFAS detectable from standard laboratory methods. The director of the department of environmental management shall initiate implementation of the plan not later than January 1, 2024.

(b) On or before June 1, 2025, all public water systems in the state as defined in § 46-13-2, except transient, non-community water systems as defined by the department of health in 216 RICR 50-05-1 as may be amended, shall conduct monitoring of raw, untreated drinking water for the maximum number of PFAS detectable from standard laboratory methods.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-3-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-3 / Section 46-3-1
§ 46-3-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Shore Development Act of 1956.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-9.1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-22 / Section 46-22-9.1
§ 46-22-9.1. Houseboats  Exclusion from coastal ponds.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall live on a houseboat on any coastal pond in this state.

(b) As used in this section, houseboat, means a building constructed on a float, raft, or barge that is used for single or multiple family habitation or is represented as a place of business. If used as a means of transportation, this use is secondary. Houseboat includes platforms, and waterborne hotels and restaurants.

(c) A coastal pond , as used in this section, shall be as designated or defined in the rules and regulations of the coastal resources management council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-30 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-30
§ 46-25-30. Review of decisions.
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by any decision may obtain a judicial review thereof in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-23 / Section 46-23-4
§ 46-23-4. Officers of the council  Quorum and vote required for action.
Status: in_force

The governor shall select from the appointed members a chairperson and vice chairperson. The coastal resources management council shall thereupon select a secretary from among its membership or staff. The council may engage staff, including legal counsel, as it deems necessary. A quorum shall consist of six (6) members of the council provided, however, for the council appointed pursuant to § 46-23-2(b) a quorum shall consist of four (4) members of the council. A majority vote of those present shall be required for action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-30-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-30 / Section 46-30-2
§ 46-30-2. Legislative findings, intent, and objectives.
Status: in_force

(a) It is hereby found and declared that:

(1) Water is vital to life and comprises an invaluable natural resource which is not to be abused by any segment of the states population or its economy. It is the policy of the state to restore, enhance, and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of its waters to protect health;

(2) It is further found and declared that the waters of this state are a critical renewable resource which must be protected to insure the availability of safe and potable drinking water for present and future needs;

(3) It is further found and declared that public water supply systems have the responsibility to provide safety and potable drinking water to the states population;

(4) It is further found and declared that financial and regulatory pressures may force some small public water supply systems into economically losing propositions;

(5) It is further found and declared that economy and efficiency dictate the desirability to combine small public water supply systems with other public water supply systems;

(b) The objectives of this chapter are:

(1) To establish a mechanism to combine small public water supply systems and/or annex small systems to adjacent water supplies in order to provide viable water supplies capable of meeting federal and state drinking water regulations current at all times.

(2) To enable each local jurisdiction, city, town, water authority, water district, small supplier, or small public water supply system to petition the adjacent supplier for the purpose of merging or annexing with the supplier in an economically fair method.

(3) No merger nor annexation shall proceed without the consent of the governing board of each respective entity or, in the case of a municipally owned system, a vote of the majority of the entire town or city council or, in the case of a private supplier, the consent of the owner of the facilities in question and the governing board of the petitioned governing agency.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-2-12 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-2 / Section 46-2-12
§ 46-2-12. Acquisition of land for flood control projects authorized.
Status: in_force

Whenever the council of any city, or the electors of any town qualified to vote upon any proposition for the imposition of taxes or for the expenditure of money, shall have voted at a meeting duly called for that purpose to cooperate with the state and the federal government in any flood control project in the city or town, the city or town may acquire by gift, purchase, or by eminent domain proceedings as provided in §§ 46-2-12  46-2-26, land or other real property or any interest, estate, or right therein as is necessary or advantageous to the establishment, acquisition, construction, development, betterment, or maintenance of the project and from time to time to relocate and construct highways, roads, and streets, including bridges and approaches and other structures, and including water pipes, petroleum pipes, gas pipes, sewers and sewer lines, communication and power lines, railroad tracks and bridges, and other structures, tailraces, raceway conduits, and extensions and connections, incidental thereto, and for the construction or reconstruction of dams and pumping stations, both publicly and privately owned.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-24-6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-24 / Section 46-24-6
§ 46-24-6. Business prohibited to members.
Status: in_force

No member of the Pawtuxet River authority shall directly or indirectly engage in any contract or agreement for labor, supply of materials for construction, or reconstruction of the physical assets of the district or replacements or additions thereto. No person holding elective office in the participating communities or the general assembly of the state of Rhode Island shall be eligible to be a member of the authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-27 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-27
§ 46-25-27. Notice of rate hearings.
Status: in_force

Notice of proposed user charges and fees shall be provided for in the manner set forth in title 39, pursuant to the regulations of the public utilities commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-3 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-10 / Section 46-10-3
§ 46-10-3. Employment of assistants by commissioner  Disobedience of orders.
Status: in_force

The commissioner, if he or she thinks it is necessary, may employ persons to assist in preserving the property, may appoint guards to secure the property, and may suppress all tumults and disorders. If any person shall disobey any lawful order of the commissioner given in discharging the duties of his or her office, the person shall, for every offense, forfeit twenty dollars ($20.00), to be recovered in an action in the name of the commissioner to the use of the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-28 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-28
§ 46-12-28. Protection of groundwaters.
Status: in_force

Groundwaters shall be and shall be deemed to be waters of the state and shall be protected pursuant to the provisions of this chapter with respect to the following activities, which shall be regulated by the director in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and chapter 13.1 of this title:

(1) Discharge of pollutants onto or beneath the land surface; in a location where it is likely for the pollutants to enter the groundwaters of the state;

(2) Subsurface containment systems used to store wastewaters, petroleum products, hazardous materials or other pollutants;

(3) Facilities which treat or provide for disposal of petroleum products, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, solid waste or dredged material;

(4) Facilities with store bulk quantities of petroleum products, hazardous materials or hazardous waste;

(5) Facilities and activities which have caused or have the potential to cause a release of pollutants to groundwater;

(6) Activities undertaken to remediate groundwater quality.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-16 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-16
§ 46-15-16. Examination of books, records, and accounts.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of ascertaining material information relevant to the function of the powers and duties of the water resources board, the water resources board may freely examine at any time the books, records, and accounts of any municipal water department, special water district, or private water company.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-6.8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-6.8
§ 46-4-6.8. Town of Narragansett  Powers conferred.
Status: in_force

(a) The provisions of § 46-22-14 or any other provisions of the general laws notwithstanding and in addition to any authority and powers conferred upon the town council of the town of Narragansett, authority shall also be granted to the town council of the town of Narragansett to authorize the appointment of a harbormaster, assistant harbormasters, and a Harbor Management Committee and to enact such ordinances as the town council may deem necessary or desirable for the enforcement and supervision of any ordinances, rules, and regulations governing the public waters within its jurisdiction, to regulate by ordinance the speed, management, and control of all vessels and the size, type, location, and use of all anchorages and moorings within the public waters within the confines of the town including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the authority and power to prohibit waterskiing of any of the public waters, to provide for the regulation of skin diving, and scuba diving, to designate upon a map of the public waters within the town the places where permanent or temporary moorings or anchorages may be maintained, to assign moorings, to remove moorings, to set and collect a fee for the use of moorings, to provide for minimum mooring specifications, to provide regulations for houseboats that are not self-propelled, to provide regulations for regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, and exhibitions, to provide for the removal of wrecks or derelicts or abandoned boats or docks, and to impose penalties for violation of the ordinances, not exceeding in amount one hundred dollars ($100) or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days for any one offense, the fines to be recovered to the use of the town. The town council shall also have the authority to recover the cost of removing any wreck or derelicts or abandoned boats or docks from the owner or persons responsible for the wrecks, derelicts, abandoned boats, or docks by suit in either the district court or the superior court of Washington County.

(b) No powers or duties granted herein shall be construed to abrogate the powers or duties granted to the coastal resources management council as provided in chapter 23 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-22 / Section 46-22-2
§ 46-22-2. Definitions.
Status: reserved

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(1) Director means the director of the department of environmental management.

(2) Motorboat means any vessel whether or not the vessel is propelled by machinery. For purposes of this chapter, motorboat shall not include houseboats as defined in § 44-5-25.1, canoes, and rowboats twelve feet (12²) in length or less.

(3) Operate means to navigate or otherwise use a motorboat or a vessel.

(4) Owner means a person, other than a lien holder, having the property in or title to a motorboat. The term includes a person entitled to the use or possession of a motorboat subject to an interest in another person, reserved, or created by agreement and securing payment or performance of an obligation, but the term excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.

(5) Person means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity.

(6) Personal watercraft means a small class A vessel less than sixteen feet (16²) in length which uses an outboard motor or an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power; and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside of the vessel.

(7) Vessel means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(8) Waters of this state means any waters within the territorial limits of this state, and the marginal sea adjacent to this state and the high seas when navigated as a part of a journey or ride to or from the shore of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-10 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-9 / Section 46-9-10
§ 46-9-10. Examination of applicants.
Status: in_force

(a) The commission shall conduct the examination of applicants for pilots licenses, at a time and place as it shall, after due notice, direct. It shall examine the applicants with relation to their qualifications for the office of pilot. Each applicant shall be examined in particular concerning his or her knowledge of the tides, depths, bearings, and distances of the shoals, rocks, bars, and points of land and night lights in the navigation for which he or she applies for a license to act as pilot, and also touching any other matter relating thereto which the commission may deem proper.

(b) If, upon examination, the commission finds the person so applying to:

(1) Possess the requisite physical and mental standards;

(2) Be of good character and temperate habits; and

(3) Have sufficient ability, knowledge, aptitude, and skill, and professional experience, and to have satisfied the requisites of § 46-9-7, the commission shall grant him or her such class of license to act as pilot as it shall deem advisable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-4-6.6 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-4 / Section 46-4-6.6
§ 46-4-6.6. Town of Newport  Powers conferred.
Status: in_force

The provisions of § 46-22-14, or any other provisions of the general laws notwithstanding, and in addition to any authority and powers conferred upon the city council of the city of Newport, authority shall also be granted to the city council of the city of Newport to authorize for the appointment of a harbor coordinator and by ordinance grant such authority as the city council may deem necessary to the harbor coordinator for the enforcement and supervision of any ordinances, rules, and regulations governing the public waters within its jurisdiction, and to regulate by ordinance the speed, management, and control of all vessels and the size, type, location, and use of all anchorages and moorings, within the public waters within the confines of the city including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the authority and power to prohibit waterskiing on any of the public waters, to designate upon a map of the public waters within the city the places where permanent or temporary moorings or anchorages may be maintained, to assign moorings, to remove moorings, to collect a fee for the use of moorings, to provide for minimum mooring specifications, to provide regulations for houseboats that are not self-propelled, to provide regulations for regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, and exhibitions, to provide for the removal of wrecks or derelicts or abandoned boats or docks, and to impose penalties for violators of the ordinances, not to exceed in amount three hundred dollars ($300) or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days in some jail or house of correction, for any one offense, the fines to be recovered to the use of the city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-1
§ 46-28-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as The Rhode Island Rivers Council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-8-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-8 / Section 46-8-4
§ 46-8-4. Form and contents of registration certificate.
Status: in_force

The registration certificate shall be in a form to be prescribed by the director, and shall indicate the name, address, and signature of the owner of the outboard motor, together with the horsepower, serial, and motor numbers, or other identification numbers of the motor; provided, however, that if no identification numbers appear upon the outboard motor, the licensing authority may assign a number to the motor upon sufficient documentation of ownership.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-24-20 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-24 / Section 46-24-20
§ 46-24-20. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any section, clause, provision, or term of this chapter shall be declared unconstitutional and ineffective in whole or in part then, to the extent that it is not unconstitutional and effective, it shall be valid and effective, and no other section, clause, provision, or term shall on account thereof be deemed invalid or ineffective.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-13 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-13
§ 46-12-13. Civil penalties.
Status: in_force

Except as specified in §§ 46-12-26 and 46-12-27, any person who shall violate the provisions of this chapter, or of any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day during which the violation occurs. In an action for enforcement brought in the superior court pursuant to this chapter or chapters 12.3, 12.4, or 12.5 of this title, the court also may order any person to pay to the director any and all costs incurred in the investigation, cleanup, and restoration of areas affected by pollutants in connection with any violation. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to limit the amount of monetary relief which the court can award in any action brought pursuant to any other provision of the general laws or pursuant to common law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-33-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-33 / Section 46-33-1
§ 46-33-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1) Aquatic invasive species means those invasive or non-native species that inhabit water resources including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

(2) Coordination means to harmonize in a common action or effort and/or to function in a complementary manner.

(3) Department means the Rhode Island department of environmental management.

(4) Invasive species means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.

(5) Lake or pond means a place, natural or manmade, located wholly or partly within the state of Rhode Island, where open standing or slowly moving water shall be present for at least six (6) months of the year.

(6) Lake association means an association, club, or other organization, formed and registered in Rhode Island, that has responsibility for stewardship and management of a freshwater lake or pond.

(7) Non-native species means a species of plant, animal, or microbe that is:

(i) Introduced to a country or region where it is not native;

(ii) Is reproducing and spreading without human cultivation; and

(iii) Is causing harm to native species or the areas in which they live.

(8) Rhode Island lake management fund means the fund established by § 46-33-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-32-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-32 / Section 46-32-1
§ 46-32-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the PFAS in Drinking Water, Groundwater, and Surface Waters Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-28-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-28 / Section 46-28-2
§ 46-28-2. Legislative findings and declaration of public policy.
Status: in_force

(a) Rhode Island needs an affirmative, clearly articulated program to plan for, manage and protect its rivers and watershed resources on an integrated, inter-agency basis, that supports systems level planning.

(b) Many of the rivers of Rhode Island or sections thereof and related adjacent land possess outstanding aesthetic and recreational value of present and potential benefit to the citizens of this state. The preservation and protection of these rivers and their immediate environment together with their significant recreational, natural and cultural value is hereby declared to be a public policy. It shall be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to protect these values and to practice sound conservation policies and practices relative thereto. It is also recognized that it is in the public interest to:

(1) Preserve open space, natural resources and features, and scenic landscapes;

(2) Preserve cultural and historic landscapes and features;

(3) Preserve opportunities for recreational use of rivers;

(4) Encourage the establishment of greenways which link open spaces together;

(5) Establish a rivers policy consistent with the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act, chapter 22.2 of title 45 as set forth in § 45-22.2-3(c);

(6) Continue the regional and comprehensive planning activities for rivers, water quality, and land use conducted by the Rhode Island department of environmental management and the Rhode Island department of administration; and

(7) Utilize the rivers policy and classification plan and other relevant elements of the state guide plan, plans and programs of state and federal agencies, and watershed action plans to coordinate the activities of the public and private sectors so as to achieve the objectives of this section.

(c) It is, therefore, essential that a Rhode Island policy be developed so that these purposes may be fulfilled. The general assembly affirms that it must assure the people of this generation and their descendants the opportunity to appreciate aesthetic and utilize the recreational qualities and resources of the states streams and rivers. To implement these policies is the purpose of this chapter and in furtherance thereof to establish the Rhode Island rivers council which will coordinate and oversee the clean up and preservation of the quality of rivers in Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-65 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-65
§ 46-25-65. Credit of the state of Rhode Island.
Status: in_force

Obligations issued under the provisions of §§ 46-25-58  46-25-66 shall not constitute a debt, liability, or obligation of the state or of any political subdivision thereof, other than the commission, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or any political subdivision, other than the commission, but shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of the commission. Each obligation issued pursuant to §§ 46-25-58  46-25-66 shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that the commission shall not be obligated to pay the obligation or interest thereon except from revenues or assets pledged therefor, and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or any political subdivision thereof, other than the commission, is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-38 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-38
§ 46-12-38. Licensing of underground storage tank tightness testing.
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions. As used in this section and in conjunction with this chapter these terms shall be construed to mean:

(1) Test means a tank tightness test capable of detecting a five hundredths (.05) gallon per hour leak from any portion of an underground storage tank (including but not limited to piping) that routinely contains petroleum products or hazardous materials while accounting for effects such as thermal expansion or contraction of the petroleum product or hazardous materials, vapor pockets, tank deformation, evaporation or condensation, the location of the water table, or other conditions that could affect test results and which have been approved, in writing, by the director for use in the state of Rhode Island.

(2) Tester means an individual who performs tightness tests on underground storage tanks.

(3) Testing business means a person who employs or subcontracts with testers in the regular course of business.

(b) Authority of the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this chapter and with chapter 13.1 of title 46 entitled Groundwater Protection for the licensing of testers and testing businesses. Nothing in this section shall limit the directors powers and duties as set forth in this chapter.

(c) License requirement and fee. (1) No person shall test underground storage tanks or operate a testing business without a license issued by the director in accordance with this section. (2) The director shall charge an annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100) to each tester to whom he or she issues a license. No licensure shall be issued unless the tester and testing business have paid the license fee. The director shall deposit the fees collected into the water and air protection program account created pursuant to § 42-17.1-2(26). (3) The results of any test performed by or on behalf of an unlicensed tester or testing business shall be considered null and void. Where it is determined that test(s) have been performed by an unlicensed tester or testing business, the owner or operator of the underground storage tank(s) shall, within ten (10) days of discovery, either have the underground storage tank(s) retested by a duly licensed tester or testing business, or have the underground storage tank(s) emptied and removed from the ground as if they had failed the test(s). Any unlicensed tester or testing business that conducts business in the state of Rhode Island shall be strictly liable for the cost of any retesting performed in accordance with this section. (4) No license shall be issued unless the tester and/or testing business shall demonstrate that they, jointly or severally, possess liability insurance in an amount satisfactory to the director for any environmental harm, property damage and bodily injury resulting from tank tightness testing activities, including, but not limited to, performance of tests; the collection, calculation and analysis of test data; handling, calibration, operation and maintenance of testing equipment; and the preparation of test results. The amount of liability insurance shall be established by the director. (5) The rules and regulations promulgated by the director in accordance with this section may, without limitation, require that testers hold and maintain certain certifications, and/or pass written or practical examinations as a prerequisite to licensure. The director may assess a reasonable fee to cover the cost of any examination administered by or on behalf of the department of environmental management.

(d) Revocation of license. The director shall revoke the license of any tester or testing business who fails to comply with this section or with the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder after the director has provided the party with notice and the opportunity to be heard in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-11-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-11 / Section 46-11-2
§ 46-11-2. Privilege restricted to Barrington inhabitants.
Status: in_force

No person other than an inhabitant of the town of Barrington shall be permitted to take or carry off from the beach any seaweed in any manner whatsoever.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-32-4 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-32 / Section 46-32-4
§ 46-32-4. Standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as a class or subclass.
Status: in_force

(a) If the director of the department of health decides to publish a notice pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section then on or before February 1, 2024, the director of the department of health shall initiate a public notice and comment process by publishing a copy of the final rules and an advance notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to § 42-35-2.5 regarding the regulation under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a class or subclasses.

(b) On or before September 1, 2024, the director of the department of health shall either:

(1) Publish a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the regulation of PFAS compounds under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water as a class or subclasses; or

(2) Publish a notice of decision not to regulate PFAS compounds as a class or subclasses under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water that includes, at a minimum, an identification of all legal, technical, or other impediments to regulating PFAS compounds as a class or subclasses and a detailed response to all public comments received.

(c) If the director of the department of health proposes a rule pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the director of the department of health shall file under § 42-35-4 a final rule with the secretary of state regarding the regulation of PFAS compounds as a class or subclasses under the rules and regulations pertaining to public drinking water on or before June 30, 2025.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-24 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-24
§ 46-12-24. State grants and loans for pollution prevention facilities to governmental entities.
Status: in_force

The director is authorized, within any limits of funds made available therefor, to make grants and loans to any municipality, inter-municipal agency, municipal sewer district, or state district or agency for the construction of necessary facilities to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated pollutants into the waters of the state, and for the preparation of reports, plans, and specifications required in connection therewith under the following terms:

(1) The grant or loan shall be made only in connection with a project which has or would be eligible for a grant or loan under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., as amended from time to time.

(2) The amount of the grant or loan shall be in an amount necessary to assure the recipient of the maximum federal aid that it can anticipate qualifying for under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., or to supplement federal aid when the maximum federal aid, for which the project is eligible, is not currently available, or to provide state assistance for projects which are eligible under the Clean Water Act but which may not receive such federal assistance.

(3) The plans and specifications for the project must be approved by the director in accordance with this chapter.

(4) The grant or loan shall be made available to the applicant in partial payments on a time schedule similar to that followed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the payments to be proportioned in a similar manner except that the director may reimburse applicants for eligible projects that have already been initiated, but not yet completed, and for which only partial federal and/or state aid was provided.

(5) No grant or loan shall be made for any project until the applicant has made provision satisfactory to the director for assuring its proper and efficient operation and maintenance.

(6) An applicant for a grant or loan must file such executed forms and provide such information as may be required by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12-20 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-12 / Section 46-12-20
§ 46-12-20. Rules  Proceedings.
Status: in_force

In establishing any rule or regulation hereunder or in the conduct of proceedings or in any appeal from an order of the director provided for by this chapter, the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 shall apply.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-16-9 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-16 / Section 46-16-9
§ 46-16-9. Compliance with requirements for water quality.
Status: in_force

(a) If the commission ascertains that particular waters, at or near a boundary of this state, do not comply with the standards of the commission made pursuant to article V of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Compact, or are not otherwise of a quality complying with state law, the commission shall inform the water pollution control agency of this state and of any other state concerned, and shall afford the agencies an opportunity to verify, explain, supplement, or correct the information in the possession of the commission and, if the facts warrant, to take or secure the taking of any necessary remedial action.

(b) If a remedial action is not taken or secured in a timely fashion, the commission may hold a public hearing on due notice, as provided in its rules and regulations, in order to ascertain all the relevant facts and circumstances.

(c) Following a public hearing pursuant to subsection (b), the commission may issue an order directed to the source or sources of waste discharge causing or contributing to the deteriorated water quality. The order or orders may require reduction or cessation of waste discharges or the improvement of their quality. No order of the commission pursuant to this subsection shall be valid, unless supported by substantial evidence adduced at the public hearing.

(d) An order of the commission made pursuant to subsection (b) shall prescribe the date or dates by which discharges of waste are to be reduced, discontinued, or treated, and may contain timetables or schedules for specific steps to be taken in order to comply therewith.

(e) An order of the commission made pursuant to this section may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. Proceedings shall be only on the record made before the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-9.8 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-22 / Section 46-22-9.8
§ 46-22-9.8. Certificate of boating safety education.
Status: in_force

(a) No person born on or after January 1, 1986 shall operate a vessel that is fitted with propulsion machinery of more than ten (10) horsepower on the waters of this state unless the person shall have successfully completed a boating safety education program as approved by the director of the department of environmental management.

(b) The content of acceptable boating safety education programs shall meet the minimum standards and guidelines and be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Acceptable programs shall include those NASBLA approved courses offered by the state, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the United States Power Squadrons or any other course approved by the director.

(c) Instructors shall meet the minimum requirements as established by NASBLA and shall be certified by the state.

(d) Upon completion of a boating safety course, a written test shall be administered under the direct supervision of a certified instructor. The test shall include at least twenty-five (25) questions, scored on a one hundred percent (100%) scale, and have a passing grade of seventy percent (70%) or better. Test results shall be maintained by the department of environmental management, division of enforcement.

(e) The department shall issue a durable certificate of completion that meets the NASBLA guidelines. The certificate of completion shall be presented upon request of any authorized law enforcement officer to show proof of compliance.

(f) A challenge exam, meeting the standards of subsection (d) proctored and administered by a certified instructor, shall be made available to those individuals that wish to review the requirements of this section. The exam may be administered to a candidate two (2) times. Failure of the examination on the second attempt will require the candidate to retake and/or complete the same and/or a different boating safety education program as provided for in this section.

(g)(1) Any person having in his or her possession a certificate of completion of any boating safety course approved by NASBLA shall be considered to be in compliance with this chapter and can request that a certificate be issued by the department.

(2) The following persons shall be exempt from the educational provisions of this chapter provided that they can provide proof of exemption:

(i) A person who operates a vessel under training, directly supervised by a person on board the vessel who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and meets the requirements of subsection (a);

(ii) A person who holds a valid commercial vessel operators license issued by the United States Cost Guard, a state, or a province;

(iii) Non-residents temporarily using the waters of this state who meet the requirements of their state of legal residence.

(3) New residents of this state will be given sixty (60) days to meet the requirements of this chapter.

(4) Boat liveries that rent out boats or vessels fitted with propulsion machinery greater than ten (10) horse power shall require all renters who do not comply with this section to watch a short instructional video approved by the director on boating safety for the type of craft rented, and pass a written examination.

(h) Any person operating a personal watercraft as defined in § 46-22-2(6) on the waters of this state shall have successfully completed a boating safety education program as approved by the director of the department of environmental management.

(i) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be sanctioned as follows:

(1) For a first offense completion of an approved boating safety course;

(2) For a second offense a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15-2 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-15 / Section 46-15-2
§ 46-15-2. Approval of public water supply facilities.
Status: in_force

(a) No municipal water department or agency, public water system, including special water districts or private water companies, engaged in the distribution of water for potable purposes shall have any power:

(1) To acquire or take a water supply or an additional water supply from an existing approved source;

(2) To take or condemn lands for any new or additional sources of water supply or for the utilization of supplies;

(3) To extend its supply or distribution mains into a municipality or special water district wherein it has not heretofore legally supplied water;

(4) To construct any extension of its transmission mains;

(5) To extend the boundaries of a special water district; or

(6) To supply water in or for use in any other municipality or civil division of the state which owns and operates a water supply system therein, or in any duly organized special water district supplied with water by another municipal water department or agency, special water district, or private water company, until the municipal water department or agency, special water district, or private water company has first submitted the maps and plans therefor to the director of the department of health, the state planning council and the board, as hereinafter provided, and until the water resources board, after receiving the recommendations of the director of the department of health and the division of statewide planning, shall have approved the recommendations or approved the recommendation with modifications as it may determine to be necessary; provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to any area presently served by any municipal water department or agency, or special water district.

(b) Approval shall not be necessary of any plan or work for the extension of supply or distributing mains or pipes of a municipal water supply plant or special district or private water company into and for the purpose of supplying water in any territory within the limits of the municipality or special district or within the franchise area of the private water company, owning the plant, including territory within the municipal special district or franchise limits which has not been heretofore supplied with the water by the plant, nor for the reconstruction or replacement of existing facilities in connection with an existing plant, wherein the capacity of the plant is in no way increased, nor for the construction of filtration or other treatment facilities which will not in any way increase the amount of water which can be made available from the present sources of supply. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a municipal water department, agency, or public water system governed under this section shall review applications for plans or work for the extension of supply or distribution mains or pipes in accordance with the following standards:

(1) The application must not be prohibited by the specific language of the latest water supply system management plan (WSSMP) of the public water supply system;

(2) The application must comply with the design and construction standards and specifications established by the public water supply system for the sizing and location for the infrastructure;

(3) The extensions shall not reduce the necessary level of fire protection for the community;

(4) All water main and service connection materials, construction, and inspection required hereunder shall be at the sole cost and expense of the applicant;

(5) The public water supply system shall be granted an easement in a form acceptable to them which shall permit the maintenance, repair, or replacement of water lines and all other related activities;

(6) For applications for single-family residential lots, the applicant must show that:

(i) The existing or proposed well for the property does not meet the well industry standard as described in the department of environmental management regulations for yield per depth of well chart which is required by the department of health for a dwelling unit; and

(ii) Due to the unique characteristics of the property that the drilling of a new well is not feasible;

(7) For applications located within a public water supply system with limited capacity, applicants for commercial uses/properties shall be governed by the rules established for such connections by the public water supply system, which shall be in accordance with the systems approved WSSMP.

A public water supply system governed under this section may provide for lower standards for approval for residential property if such standards meet the requirements of the agencys state-approved WSSMP, and such WSSMP is not expired.

(c) The water resources board shall enforce the provisions of this section, and the superior court by injunction may, upon application of the water resources board, prevent any action to be taken by any municipal water agency or department, special district, or private water company without the approval of the water resources board as required by this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-25-1 — RI Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46-25 / Section 46-25-1
§ 46-25-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter is known as the Narragansett Bay Commission Act.