§ 46-12.11-1 - Legislative findings.
SECTION 46-12.11-1
§ 46-12.11-1 Legislative findings. –The general assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:
(1) The bays, rivers, and associated watersheds of RhodeIsland are unique and unparalleled natural resources that provide significantcultural, ecological, and economic benefit to the state, and it is in the bestinterest of the state and its citizens to preserve, protect, and restore ourbays, rivers, and associated watersheds.
(2) The formation of the Rhode Island Bays, Rivers, andWatersheds Coordination Team, pursuant to chapter 46-31 of the general laws,provides for the coordination of the functions, programs, and regulations thataffect the bays, rivers, and watersheds and serves as the most effective way totranscend the limited responsibilities and jurisdictions of each agency, toaddress complex issues using an ecosystem-based approach, and to provide forcontinuity over time.
(3) Discharges of wastewater from wastewater treatmentfacilities, despite the fact that these discharges are carefully regulated andmonitored, are known sources of pollution that affect the water quality of thebays, rivers, and associated watersheds of Rhode Island.
(4) Wastewater treatment facilities collect wastewater bothfrom users of sewer systems, who pay fees for the utilization of the systems,and from septage transporters, who collect septage from users of onsite sewagedisposal systems.
(5) All persons or entities generating pollutants that affectRhode Island's bays, rivers and watersheds, including those who utilize onsitesewage disposal systems, should be required to contribute to the costs ofproviding effective pollution control, mitigating environmental degradation ofecosystems, restoring impaired ecosystems, and monitoring the environment tocharacterize the impacts of the pollutant loadings, including changes that mayoccur as the level of treatment is improved.