| R 158 |
| 2017 -- H 5317 Enacted 03/29/2017 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE IMPACT THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY POLICIES AND RULES WILL HAVE ON ITS ABILITY TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL RESOURCES |
| Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Handy, Donovan, Marszalkowski, and Bennett |
| Date Introduced: February 01, 2017 |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders are blessed to have natural resources that are renowned |
| word-wide for their beauty. We have 40 miles of coastline and 384 miles of shoreline, and a |
| magnificent bay that provides Rhode Island residents with a bevy of recreational opportunities |
| ranging from fishing and swimming to sailing, water skiing, surfing and scuba diving. Our |
| oceanic wonders also provide our residents with a plethora of delectable seafood and provide our |
| world-class restaurants with all the resources they need to create tasty and innovative cuisine. |
| Therefore, it is vital that these natural resources are vigorously protected; and |
| WHEREAS, The new Presidential administration is proposing deep cuts in the United |
| States Environmental Administrations (EPA). Media reports and quotes from administration |
| officials suggest that the EPA might lose $1 billion from its $8 billion budget and significant cuts |
| in its 15,000 strong workforce; and |
| WHEREAS, Reductions of this magnitude in personnel and monetary resources are sure |
| to strain the EPA's ability to preserve and protect the natural resources all Americans rely upon |
| for their drinking water, clean air, and recreational opportunities. Cuts of this size seem sure to |
| have a negative impact on the ability to preserve Rhode Island's precious resources; and |
| WHEREAS, Investments in clean water, clean air, and renewable energy are consistent |
| with existing efforts of the Department of Environmental Management; and |
| WHEREAS, Climate change, flooding and sea rise are beginning to take a toll on the |
| Rhode Island economy and our critical infrastructure investments; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and |
| Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Department of |
| Environmental Management conduct a preliminary study of the impact the new Environmental |
| Protection Agency policies, rules and funding proposals will have on its ability to preserve and |
| protect Rhode Island's natural resources and enforce current state statutes. The Rhode Island |
| DEM is requested to report its initial findings to the Rhode Island House of Representatives no |
| later than April 20, 2017; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of the State of |
| Rhode Island, and Janet L. Coit, Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental |
| Management. |
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| LC001143 |
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