§ 46-19-9 - Emergency action plans.
SECTION 46-19-9
§ 46-19-9 Emergency action plans. –(a) By July 1, 2008, an emergency action plan shall be prepared for eachsignificant or high hazard dam by the city or town wherein the dam lies. TheRhode Island emergency management agency, as established in chapter 15 of title30 shall develop guidelines for the preparation of emergency action plans. Thedepartment of environmental management and the Rhode Island League of Citiesand Towns shall cooperate with the Rhode Island emergency management agency indeveloping the guidelines. All emergency action plans prepared pursuant to thissection shall not be considered final or complete until approved by theemergency management agency, with the cooperation of the department ofenvironmental management.
(b) The owner of any other dam, regardless of the assignedhazard classification, may also be required to prepare an emergency action planif deemed necessary by the department of environmental management.
(c) Emergency action plans shall be updated on an annualbasis and shall be filed with the Rhode Island emergency management agency, thedepartment of environmental management, the chief of the local policedepartment and the local city or town emergency management official.
(d) Once an emergency action plan is complete, the city ortown wherein the dam lies shall provide written notice to the dam owner of thecosts for actions taken by the city or town in the development of the emergencyaction plan. Said costs of developing the emergency action plan shall beremitted to the city or town within ninety (90) days of the receipt of suchnotice. In the event that the costs are not remitted within the ninety (90) dayperiod, the municipality shall have a valid legal claim against the dam owner,in the amount of such costs, plus any costs associated with the pursuit of theclaim.
(e) Each state agency shall, in cooperation with themunicipality in which the dam lies, be responsible for the preparation of anemergency action plan for each high and significant hazard dam owned by saidagency by the deadline specified in subsection (a).