2023 -- S 0500 SUBSTITUTE A
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORE STRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIO NS OF
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRO NMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, DiMario, Euer, Murray, and Tikoian
Date Introduced: March 07, 2023
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 2-1-20.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 2-1 entitled "Agricultural 1
Functions of Department of Environmental Management" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
2-1-20.1. Rules and regulations. 3
(a) The director is authorized to adopt, modify, or repeal rules and regulations that are in 4
accord with the purposes of §§ 2-1-18 — 2-1-27 and are subject to the administrative procedures 5
act, chapter 35 of title 42, except for those freshwater wetlands located in the vicinity of the coast 6
as set out in chapter 23 of title 46 which shall be regulated by the coastal resources management 7
council consistent with the provisions of chapter 23 of title 46 and §§ 2-1-18 — 2-1-20.1 and 2-1-8
27. 9
(b) The director is authorized to establish jurisdictional areas through regulation. The rules 10
and regulations promulgated pursuant to § 2-1-20.1 shall apply within the jurisdictional areas 11
defined in § 2-1-20 and subject to the provisions of § 2-1-22(k) and to activities as provided for in 12
§ 2-1-21. 13
(c) Within eighteen (18) months from enactment of this section, the department and the 14
coastal resources management council shall promulgate standards for freshwater wetland buffers 15
and setbacks into state rules and regulations pursuant to their respective authorities. The department 16
and the coastal resources management council shall collaborate to develop the state standards for 17
freshwater buffers and setbacks that will be incorporated into the programs of both agencies. State 18
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regulations designating buffers shall include a procedure that allows a municipality to petition the 1
agency director with jurisdiction to increase the size of the buffer within the designated 2
jurisdictional area protecting one or more freshwater wetland resources. 3
(d) In developing standards specified in § 2-1-20.1(c), the department and the coastal 4
resources management council shall take into consideration agricultural and plant-based green 5
infrastructure practices and activities, while ensuring protection of the state’s natural resources. In 6
setting criteria, the department shall take into account, at a minimum, existing land use, watershed 7
and wetland resource characteristics, and the type of activity including acceptable best management 8
practices. The director shall establish by appointment an advisory work group to facilitate input on 9
the development of criteria for freshwater wetland setbacks and buffers applicable to agricultural 10
activities and plant-based green infrastructure. The advisory group shall include, at minimum, the 11
following: one representative from the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, one representative of the Rhode 12
Island nursery and landscape association, one representative of the department of environmental 13
management agency agricultural advisory committee, an operator of a small-scale agricultural 14
enterprise, and one professional with expertise in soil and water conservation practices. 15
(e) In the event that a property owner in the town of Coventry owning property on littoral 16
land or land adjacent to a pond with a capacity greater than one thousand four hundred (1,400) 17
normal storage acre feet of water seeks to alter, repair, modify or replace a dock on a pond, the 18
property owner shall only need approval from the department of environmental management. All 19
docks existing as of the date of the enactment of this section are deemed to be acceptable as 20
"existing docks" by the department. For purposes of this subsection "pond" has the same meaning 21
as defined in § 2-1-20. Ponds owned by the State of Rhode Island and its governmental subdivisions 22
by any city or town, and their governmental subdivisions or by any quasi-public entity or utility 23
shall not be subject to this section. 24
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 25
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIO NS OF
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRO NMENTAL MANAGEMENT
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This act would permit property owners on ponds in Coventry with a capacity in excess of 1
one thousand four hundred (1,400) normal storage acre feet of water, to alter, repair, modify, or 2
replace a dock on the pond by seeking approval only from the department of environmental 3
management. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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