§ 46-15-1. Legislative declaration.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(1) The state of Rhode Island has been endowed with many and abundant sources of water
supplies located advantageously, for the most part, throughout the state. The proper
development, protection, conservation, and use of these water resources are essential
to the health, safety, and welfare of the general public, and to the continued growth
and economic development of the state;
(2) In recent years it has become increasingly apparent that water supply management,
protection, development, and use must be fully integrated into all statewide planning,
and rivers and watershed planning and management processes, and that the allocation
of the state's water resources to all users, purposes, and functions, including water
to sustain our natural river and stream systems and natural biotic communities, must
be equitably decided and implemented under a process which emphasizes efficiency of
use and management, minimization of waste, protection of existing supplies, demand
management, drought management, conservation, and all other techniques to ensure that
our water resources serve the people of Rhode Island for the longest time, in the
most efficient use, and in an environmentally sound manner;
(3) The character and extent of the problems of water resource development, utilization,
and control, and the widespread and complex interests which they affect, demand action
by the government of the state of Rhode Island in order to deal with these problems
in a manner which adequately protects the general welfare of all the citizens of the
state;
(4) In order to retain and encourage the expansion of our present industries, and to attract
new industries, and to promote the proper growth and desirable economic growth of
the entire state, and to sustain the viability of water resource-dependent natural
systems, agriculture, and recreation, state government must play an active role in
fostering and guiding the management of water resources;
(5) There are state and municipal departments, special districts, private firms, and other
agencies in the state who have capabilities and experience in the design, construction,
operation, and financing of water supply and transmission facilities, which capabilities
and experience must be brought to bear on the total problem of water resources development
in a coordinated manner if the proper development, conservation, apportionment, and
use of the water resources of the state are to be realized; and
(6) It shall be the duty of the water resources board to regulate the proper development,
protection, conservation and use of the water resources of the state.