§ 46-28-2. Legislative findings and declaration of public policy. (a) Rhode Island needs an affirmative, clearly articulated program to plan for, manage and protect its rivers and watershed resources on an integrated, inter-agency basis, that supports systems level planning.

(b) Many of the rivers of Rhode Island or sections thereof and related adjacent land possess outstanding aesthetic and recreational value of present and potential benefit to the citizens of this state. The preservation and protection of these rivers and their immediate environment together with their significant recreational, natural and cultural value is hereby declared to be a public policy. It shall be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to protect these values and to practice sound conservation policies and practices relative thereto. It is also recognized that it is in the public interest to:

(1) Preserve open space, natural resources and features, and scenic landscapes;

(2) Preserve cultural and historic landscapes and features;

(3) Preserve opportunities for recreational use of rivers;

(4) Encourage the establishment of greenways which link open spaces together;

(5) Establish a rivers policy consistent with the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act, chapter 22.2 of title 45 as set forth in § 45-22.2-3(c);

(6) Continue the regional and comprehensive planning activities for rivers, water quality, and land use conducted by the Rhode Island department of environmental management and the Rhode Island department of administration; and

(7) Utilize the rivers policy and classification plan and other relevant elements of the state guide plan, plans and programs of state and federal agencies, and watershed action plans to coordinate the activities of the public and private sectors so as to achieve the objectives of this section.

(c) It is, therefore, essential that a Rhode Island policy be developed so that these purposes may be fulfilled. The general assembly affirms that it must assure the people of this generation and their descendants the opportunity to appreciate aesthetic and utilize the recreational qualities and resources of the state's streams and rivers. To implement these policies is the purpose of this chapter and in furtherance thereof to establish the Rhode Island rivers council which will coordinate and oversee the clean up and preservation of the quality of rivers in Rhode Island.

History of Section. (P.L. 1991, ch. 198, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 159, § 4; P.L. 2004, ch. 254, § 4.)