§ 46-17.2-2 - Legislative findings. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 46-17.2-2

   § 46-17.2-2  Legislative findings. –(a) The General Assembly finds the following:

   (1) Antifoulant paints containing tributyltin based biocidesare widely used on vessels in the state to inhibit the growth of marine foulingorganisms, such as barnacles, that increase drag and reduce vessel speed andfuel and operating efficiency;

   (2) Laboratory and field studies have shown that tributyltinis highly toxic to marine and fresh water organisms, especially mollusks andjuvenile life stages, at extremely low concentrations;

   (3) The United States Environmental Protection Agency hasdetermined that concentrations of tributyltin currently in the waters of theUnited States may pose unreasonable risks to oysters, clams, fish, and othermarine life;

   (4) The continued unrestricted use of tributyltin basedantifoulant paints in this state poses a threat to commercially important fishand shellfish species and may ultimately pose a threat to public health;

   (5) Vessels less than sixty-five (65) meters in length thatare coated with tributyltin antifoulant paint account for a substantial amountof the tributyltin released into the aquatic environment, especially inrestricted bays and inlets where tributyltin concentrations are most likely tobuild to dangerous levels; and

   (6) Most antifoulant paint containing tributyltin that isused on vessels less than sixty-five (65) meters in length is applied duringthe spring months prior to the summer boating season.

   (b) The purpose of this chapter is to protect the livingmarine and fresh water resources of the state, as well as public health, bysharply restricting the use of antifoulant paints containing tributyltin andthus reducing the amount of tributyltin entering the waters of the state.