07-R190

2007 -- H 6308

Enacted 04/25/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE ENACTMENT OF SOLID WASTE REUSE LEGISLATION IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, AND TO ENSURE PROPER SUPERVISION, MEANINGFUL DISCLOSURE, FULL UNDERSTANDING, COMPLIANCE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH PROTECTION, NUISANCE AND BLIGHT ABATEMENT, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT REMEDIAL ACTIONS SOON TO BE TAKEN AT THE CRANSTON SANITARY LANDFILL SITE PURSUANT TO SUCH SOLID WASTE REUSE LEGISLATION

Introduced By: Representatives Palumbo, Jackson, Mattiello, Ucci, and Mumford

Date Introduced: April 24, 2007

     RESOLVED, That a special House oversight commission be and the same is hereby

created consisting of five (5) members all of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the

House of Representatives.

     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 appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to study all aspects of and implications relating

to the enactment of Solid Waste Reuse Legislation, to make legislative recommendations (if

necessary) of amendments, new enactments or deletions to any previously enacted laws relating

to Solid Waste Reuse Legislation, to determine and assess the liabilities and obligations of all

parties involved, and to work with the PRP's to establish requirements and/or guidelines

necessary to ensure proper supervision, meaningful disclosure, compliance with directives,

environmental protection, health protection, nuisance and blight abatement, and public awareness

with respect to the remedial and betterment actions proposed to be taken at the Cranston Sanitary

Landfill Site, including without limitation:

     (i) bi-monthly public meetings;

     (ii) trucking schedule and traffic impact data;

     (iii) proof of testing of the solid waste fill being used;

     (iv) controls with respect to potential odor;

     (v) controls with respect to runoff and flooding;

     (vi) controls with respect to groundwater contamination;

     (vii) controls with respect to contamination of streams, ponds and rivers;

     (viii) plans with respect to recreational improvements/betterments to the site;

     (ix) identification of companies to be performing work at the site;

     (x) agreements with respects to liabilities and obligations of all parties;

     (xi) mechanism for receiving and addressing public comments; and

     (xii) such other conditions as the commission shall elect.

     The membership of the said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the State shall furnish such advise 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 Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission and shall appoint a chairperson.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the commission shall meet at the call of the

chairperson; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That said commission shall expire at the close of all remedial actions and

improvement actions agreed to be performed at the Cranston Sanitation Landfill Site upon

confirmation of satisfaction by D.E.M. and the commission itself; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives prior to the expiration of said commission.

=======

LC02947

=======