2015 -- H 5976

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LC000073

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - STAFFORD POND, TIVERTON, RHODE

ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, and Canario

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 46 of the General Laws entitled "WATERS AND NAVIGATION" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 27.1

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PROHIBITION OF POWERBOATS ON STAFFORD POND, TIVERTON, RHODE ISLAND

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     46-27.1-1. Legislative findings. -- The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

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     (1) Water is vital to life and comprises an invaluable natural resource which is not to be

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abused by any segment of the state's population or its economy. It is the policy of this state to

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restore, enhance, and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of its waters to

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protect public health;

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     (2) The waters of this state are a critical renewable resource which must be protected to

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insure the availability of safe and potable drinking water for present and future needs;

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     (3) Stafford Pond in the town of Tiverton is the primary source of potable water for the

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residents of the town of Tiverton and it is a paramount policy of the state to maintain the quality

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of the water in Stafford Pond consistent with its use for drinking supplies and other designated

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beneficial uses; and

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     (4) The objective of this chapter is to insure the effective and efficient conservation and

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protection of the water supplied by Stafford Pond.

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     46-27.1-2. Certain powerboats prohibited on Stafford Pond. -- (a) As of July 1, 2015,

 

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the use of powerboats on Stafford Pond in Tiverton, Rhode Island, by persons owning real estate

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abutting Stafford Pond and others using the Rhode Island department of environmental

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management boat ramp on Stafford Pond or any other access point on Stafford Pond, shall be

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limited to powerboats with four-stroke engines of ten (10) horsepower or less.

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     (b) Any person who purchases real estate abutting Stafford Pond on or after July 1, 2015,

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shall not have any right to operate a powerboat on Stafford Pond. After the last abutter is no

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longer authorized to use a powerboat on Stafford Pond, all powerboat use shall be prohibited.

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     46-27.1-3. Exceptions. -- Authorized rescue personnel and personnel of the Stone Bridge

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Fire District, and owners and operators of the water treatment plant on Stafford Pond, while on

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official business, may utilize powerboats on Stafford Pond, notwithstanding the provisions of ยง

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46-27.1-2.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - STAFFORD POND, TIVERTON, RHODE

ISLAND

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     This act would limit the use of powerboats on Stafford Pond in Tiverton, Rhode Island,

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as of July 1, 2015, to those with four-stroke engines of ten (10) horsepower or less. It would

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eventually ban the use of all powerboats, except for rescue personnel and water treatment plant

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officials.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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