§ 45-61.2-1 - Findings. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 45-61.2-1

   § 45-61.2-1  Findings. – (a) The general assembly hereby recognizes and declares that:

   (1) Stormwater, when not properly controlled and treated,causes pollution of the waters of the state, threatens public health, anddamages property. Stormwater carries pollutants into rivers, streams, ponds,coves, drinking water aquifers and Narragansett Bay;

   (2) Stormwater reaches the state's waters by streets, roads,lawns and other means. As a result, public use of the state's natural resourcesfor drinking water, swimming, fishing, shellfishing and other forms ofrecreation is limited and in some cases prohibited;

   (3) Development often results in increased stormwater runoffby increasing the size and number of paved and other impervious surfaces withinthe state, and decreasing the amount of natural surface areas that naturallycontrol stormwater runoff through natural filtration and groundwater rechargesystems;

   (4) Rhode Island's State Land Use Policies and Plan "Land Use2025" predicts under the "Current Trend Scenario" that by 2025 an areacomprising over one hundred eight thousand (108,000) acres, or sixteen percent(16%) of the state's total area, could be developed with twenty (20) more yearsof building to current plans; and

   (5) Rhode Island's stormwater design and installationstandards manual has been developed to describe mandatory and suggestedstormwater design and performance criteria for applicants to the department ofenvironmental management (DEM), coastal resources management council (CRMC) andRhode Island's cities and towns.

   (6) To prevent the future degradation of the state's watersthe general assembly finds that Rhode Island should update the stormwaterdesign and installation standards manual to implement comprehensive stormwaterstandards for development that will maintain natural hydrological systems andreduce pollution to the maximum extent possible by requiring the use of modernnon-structural low impact design practices and techniques.