§ 23-7-16 - Grants for mosquito abatement.
SECTION 23-7-16
§ 23-7-16 Grants for mosquito abatement.– (a) Consistent with the provisions of this chapter and the rules andregulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, themosquito abatement board shall establish a competitive grant program. Only amosquito abatement district formed or authorized pursuant to § 23-7-7 iseligible to receive a grant pursuant to this section. A mosquito abatementdistrict shall be eligible to apply for one grant per year. The purpose of thegrant program shall be to provide financial support to mosquito abatementdistricts for programs of long term preventive mosquito control that lead tominimization of pesticide use and minimal disruption of natural environments.The mosquito abatement board shall promulgate rules and regulations regardingthe awarding of grants pursuant to this section. Appropriate uses of grantmoney may include, but are not limited to, the following: assisting cities andtowns in mapping and data collection or in any start-up projects relating tothe establishment of a mosquito abatement district, inventory of larvalmosquito breeding sources, application of innovative and environmentally soundmosquito control methods, execution of approved water management projects whichdeal with mosquito control, and the purchase of educational materials andeducational services, larvicide application equipment, and larval managementoperations. All grants shall be used in a manner consistent with establishedstate policy for mosquito abatement. In the event that a district does notutilize all or any portion of its grant money, then the district shall returnto the mosquito abatement board the nonutilized grant money.
(b) The mosquito abatement board pursuant to chapter 35 oftitle 42 shall promulgate in regulation form the criteria upon which the grantswill be awarded. The regulations setting forth grant criteria, in their finalform, shall be given to all grant applicants. The mosquito abatement boardshall clearly state, in writing, the reasons for its approval or denial of agrant.
(c) The director of the department of environmentalmanagement will allocate funds to the Rhode Island mosquito abatement board toestablish and carry out the mosquito abatement grant program. This programshall consist of up to eighty percent (80%) state matching grants for alleligible uses as outlined in subsection (a) of this section. Grants issued toRhode Island cities and towns registered with the mosquito abatement board asmosquito abatement districts shall be conducted in accordance with this chapterand all rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.