Rhode Island § 20-2-45 § 20-2-45. Narragansett Bay Oyster Restoration Act.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 20-2-45 — § 20-2-45. Narragansett Bay Oyster Restoration Act.

Rhode Island § 20-2-45

Title 20Fish and Wildlife

Ch. 20-2Licensing

This text of Rhode Island § 20-2-45 (§ 20-2-45. Narragansett Bay Oyster Restoration Act.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-2-45 (2026).

Text

§ 20-2-45. Narragansett Bay Oyster Restoration Act.
(a) Findings of fact. The general assembly hereby finds and declares the following:
         
(1) Oyster fishery has historically been important to Rhode Island for economic and ecosystem
            benefits;
         
(2) The Rhode Island oyster fishery has been in deep decline and is a fraction of its
            historical levels due to disease;
         
(3) The development of indigenous, disease-resistant oyster brood stock will assist in
            the restoration of the oyster population in Narragansett Bay;
         
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§ 20-2-45. Narragansett Bay Oyster Restoration Act.

(a) Findings of fact. The general assembly hereby finds and declares the following:

(1) Oyster fishery has historically been important to Rhode Island for economic and ecosystem benefits;

(2) The Rhode Island oyster fishery has been in deep decline and is a fraction of its historical levels due to disease;

(3) The development of indigenous, disease-resistant oyster brood stock will assist in the restoration of the oyster population in Narragansett Bay;

(4) The plantings of indigenous, disease-resistant oyster shellfish seed stock will increase the Narragansett Bay's oyster population and annual harvest; and

(5) An increase in oyster population will have a positive impact on the state's economy and the overall health of Narragansett Bay and its ecosystem.

(b) Authority to solicit federal funds for oyster restoration. The general assembly hereby vests in the director of the department of environmental management, acting through the division of marine fisheries, authority and responsibility to solicit annual federal funding, including, but not limited to, funding from the United States departments of Interior, Agriculture and Commerce for purposes of developing, restoring, and maintaining both the oyster population and oyster habitats in and around Narragansett Bay.

(c) Program to achieve oyster restoration in Narragansett Bay. The director of the department of environmental management shall work in conjunction with the aquaculture coordinator located in the coastal resources management council to develop programs that address the declining oyster population in Narragansett Bay and which programs shall further promote the development, restoration, and maintenance of the oyster population and oyster habitats in and around Narragansett Bay, as set forth in this section.