2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 46 - Waters and Navigation
CHAPTER 46-31 - The Rhode Island Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds Coordination Team
§ 46-31-1 - Legislative findings.

SECTION 46-31-1

   § 46-31-1  Legislative findings. – The general assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:

   (1) The bays, rivers, and associated watersheds of Rhode Island are unique and unparalleled natural resources that provide significant cultural, ecological, and economic benefit to the state.

   (2) Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Const., art. 1, § 17, it is the duty of the general assembly to provide for the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral, and other natural resources of the state; and to adopt all means necessary and proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state; and for the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment of the state.

   (3) It is in the best interest of the state and its citizens to preserve, protect, and restore our bays, rivers, and associated watersheds.

   (4) Sixty percent (60%) of the watershed of Narragansett Bay is within Massachusetts, almost all of the watershed of Mount Hope Bay is within Massachusetts, and five percent (5%) of the watershed of Little Narragansett Bay is within Connecticut; further, a cluster of water-related economic interests spans the three (3) states.

   (5) There are a number of separate agencies of the state defined by statute, granted statutory authority, and appropriated state resources for the performance of distinct functions, the development of various programs, and the execution of diverse regulatory powers that affect the bays, rivers, and watersheds of Rhode Island including management, preservation, restoration, and monitoring of the natural resources, and promotion of sustainable economic development of the water cluster. It is important to retain these various agencies as separate and distinct entities. Each agency has essential and distinct responsibilities. However, each of these agencies has limited responsibilities and jurisdictions. No one agency has the statutory authority to adequately address the full range of issues that pertain to the bays, rivers, and watersheds.

   (6) The formation of an interagency group for the coordination of the functions, programs, and regulations that affect the bays, rivers, and watersheds is the most effective way to transcend the limited responsibilities and jurisdictions of each agency, address complex issues using an ecosystem-based approach, and provide for continuity over time.

   (7) There is a need for coordination of the development and implementation of policies and plans for the management, preservation, restoration, and monitoring of the bays, rivers, and watersheds; and the promotion of sustainable economic development of businesses that rely directly or indirectly on the bays, rivers, and watersheds.

   (8) There is a need for the development of a systems-level plan that synthesizes individual plans and coordinates separate authorities. The systems-level plan must establish overall goals and priorities, set forth a strategy for obtaining goals which delineates specific responsibilities among agencies, identify funding sources and a timetable for obtaining goals, provide an estimate of the total projected cost of implementation, and oversee a monitoring strategy to evaluate progress in implementing the plan and to provide the necessary information to adapt the plan in response to changing conditions.

   (9) The implementation of a systems-level plan needs to include the preparation of coordinated annual work plans, annual work plan budgets, and multi-year funding plans in order to identify areas of duplicative or insufficient effort or funding.

   (10) The development and implementation of a systems-level plan must be coordinated with local and federal efforts and efforts in Massachusetts and Connecticut and in some cases with other states in the region that have connections with the ecosystem and/or the water cluster. It must be accomplished with input from scientists, policy-makers, non-governmental organizations, and the general public.

   (11) There is a need for a structure and process that enhances the efficiency of the goal setting and oversight roles of the legislature including fiscal and performance accountability.