R 342
2003 -- S 1179
Enacted 07/02/03
S E N A T E R E S O L U
T I O N
CREATING
A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY WASTEWATER
RECLAMATION
AND REUSE IN RHODE ISLAND
Introduced
By: Senators Sosnowski, and Felag
Date
Introduced: June 26, 2003
WHEREAS,
The Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies and
environmental
organizations have announced support for wastewater reclamation projects as a
critical
element in meeting present and future water demand; and
WHEREAS,
The state of Rhode Island has experienced successive drought conditions in
summer
months in recent years necessitating stricter controls on water consumption
rates and
identification
of alternative water sources; and
WHEREAS,
Various current uses of water in Rhode Island do not require potable quality
including
industrial processes (such as power plant cooling), and nonedible food crop
agriculture
irrigation
(such as on turf farms, golf courses and nurseries); and
WHEREAS,
Reclaimed water provides a dependable source of water even in drought
years
because the amount of waste water generated is not greatly altered by drought
conditions.
Agricultural
and industrial practices in Rhode Island require a steady supply of water to
foster the
rich
farming legacy of the state as well as economic progress; and
WHEREAS,
In 2001, the Rhode Island Water Resources Board created the Water
Allocation
Program Advisory Committee to address future water supply, rates and allotment
issues
and to promote preservation of limited water resources in conjunction with
water
conservation
and watershed protection programs that sponsor a wastewater reclamation,
recycling
and
reuse subcommittee; and
WHEREAS,
Technological innovations and regulatory advances in the field of
wastewater
treatment and purification have improved consistency in effluent quality and
pathogen
destruction; and
WHEREAS,
High costs of water development and environmental protection coupled
with
increasing frequency of water shortages have provided the impetus for
beneficial use of
wastewater
reuse in many states and countries. Reuse in the United States is predominately
located
in southern and western regions, however, due to persisting water shortages
Pennsylvania,
New
Jersey, Massachusetts and other states in the northeastern United States have
adopted or
initiated
water reclamation and reuse measures; and
WHEREAS,
Several wastewater reuse projects exist in the state yet comprehensive
regulations
or guidelines by the Department of Environmental Management or the Department
of
Health
have not been enacted; and
WHEREAS,
Interest in wastewater reuse by agricultural and industrial representatives in
Rhode
Island has been documented; and
WHEREAS,
Future generations of Rhode Islanders have a fundamental right to
affordable
drinking water which requires sustainable use of water supplies in the present;
and
WHEREAS,
Implementation of wastewater reuse programs depend upon careful
economic
considerations, potential uses for reclaimed water, stringency of waste
discharge
requirements,
public health considerations, and public policy emphasizing water conservation;
now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That a special Senate commission be and the same is hereby created
consisting
of fourteen (14) members: three (3) of whom shall be members from the Senate,
not
more
than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of
the Senate;
one
(1) of whom shall be Chairman of the Water Resources Board, or designee; one
(1) of whom
shall
be the Director of the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one
(1) of
whom
shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or designee; one (1) of whom
shall be
the
Chairman of the Narragansett Bay Commission, or designee; one (1) of whom shall
be the
Chairman
of the Rivers Council, or designee; three (3) of whom shall be representatives
of
environmental
organizations that have an interest in water reclamation and reuse, to be
appointed
by
the President of the Senate; and three (3) of whom shall be representatives of
water users that
have
an interest in water reclamation and reuse, to be appointed by the President of
the Senate.
In
lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory
commission,
a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly
resolution,
the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in
lieu
of
a legislator, provided that the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the
political party
which
is entitled to the appointment consents to the member of the general public.
The
purpose of said commission shall be to study water reclamation and reuse.
Forthwith
upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the
call of the President of the Senate and shall appoint from among the Senate
members a
chairperson.
Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original
appointment.
The
membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
All
departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and
information,
documentary
and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
desirable
by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
The
Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to
provide
suitable
quarters for said commission; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
Senate
on or before March 2, 2004, and said commission shall expire on June 30, 2004.
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LC03563
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