2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 46 - Waters and Navigation
CHAPTER 46-31 - The Rhode Island Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds Coordination Team
§ 46-31-6 - Implementation of the systems-level plan.

SECTION 46-31-6

   § 46-31-6  Implementation of the systems-level plan. – (a) The team shall be responsible for coordinating the projects, programs, and activities necessary to implement the systems-level plan.

   (b) In order to facilitate the coordination of the implementation of the systems-level plan, the team shall prepare an annual work plan. The annual work plan shall prescribe the necessary projects, programs, and activities each member of the team shall perform for the following fiscal year to implement the systems-level plan. It shall include, but not be limited to, the systems-level plan priorities, individual work plan elements, and significant program products including proposed regulations, grant solicitations, schedules for production of environmental documents, and project selection processes. The preparation of the annual work plan shall include an evaluation of any needed revisions to the systems-level plan including changes to the timetable for attaining goals or adaptations in response to the results of the monitoring programs.

   The first annual work plan shall be prepared for work to be completed during fiscal year 2007 and each year thereafter.

   (c) In preparing an annual work plan the team shall coordinate the annual work plan activities with other relevant activities including, but not limited to, those prescribed by other state, local, federal, and non-governmental organization programs.

   (d) The team shall prepare a proposed annual work plan budget for inclusion in the governor's annual budget as submitted to the general assembly and for submittal to the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate which shall identify the total funds necessary to implement the annual work plan, including any proposed capital improvements. It shall also include any recommendations for the allocation of appropriated funds among agencies to achieve the purpose of this chapter. The first annual work plan budget shall be prepared for inclusion in the governor's annual budget for 2007, as submitted to the general assembly, and each year thereafter.

   (e) The team shall hold a minimum of one public hearing each year to solicit public comment on the annual work plan and annual work plan budget.

   (f) The team shall coordinate with federal agencies to develop proposed federal agreements to support the implementation of the systems-level plan.

   (g) The team, in consultation with the scientific advisory committee, shall be responsible for coordinating the work of any entity that receives grants or other funding from the state of Rhode Island for research related to bay, river, and watershed management. The team shall seek to prioritize and direct areas of research in order to meet the goals and policies established by the systems-level plan.

   (h) The team may facilitate the resolution of programmatic conflicts that may arise during the implementation of the systems-level plan between or among members of the team.

   (i) The team shall develop a regulatory coordination and streamlining process for the issuance of permits and approvals required under local, state, and federal law as necessary to implement the systems-level plan that reduces or eliminates duplicative permitting processes.

   (j) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the team shall submit a written progress report that describes and evaluates the successes and shortcomings of the implementation of the annual work plan from the previous fiscal year to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate. Where prescribed actions have not been accomplished in accordance with the annual work plan, the responsible members of the team shall include in the report written explanations for the shortfalls, together with their proposed remedies. The report shall also include an evaluation of the progress of the coordinative efforts and shall include any recommendations regarding modifications to the composition of the team, including, but not limited to, the proposed addition of any new members to the team.

   (k) Within six (6) months of the completion of the systems-level plan, the team shall prepare a report and convene a public forum in order to disseminate information about the current condition of the environmental health of Rhode Island's bays, rivers, and watersheds; and the economic vitality of the water cluster using information collected by the economic and environmental monitoring collaboratives.

   ( l ) Within four (4) years after the completion of the systems-level plan and every four (4) years thereafter, the team shall prepare a report and convene a public forum in order to disseminate information about the current condition of the environmental health of Rhode Island's bays, rivers, and watersheds; and the economic vitality of the water cluster using information collected by the economic and environmental monitoring collaboratives. The report shall include an evaluation of the progress made towards attaining the systems-level plan's goals, and an evaluation of any updates necessary for the strategies for the economic and environmental monitoring programs.