New State Initiatives 



and coastal resource viability, in terms of ecological and hydrologic and geologic alteration, 

 and flood storage capacity. (See related chapter on ISDS.) 



|***(c) Provide funding authorization sufficient to: 



• provide pass-through assistance funding to towns having approved by-laws for 

 resource inventory and problem assessment; 



• provide pass-through funding to towns having approved programs exceeding the 

 stringency of the proposed state program for a portion of local program operating 

 expense; 



• provide for DEM, CRMC, and Division of Planning staff support to ensure state 

 oversight and adequate technical assistance for local program development and 

 implementation; 



***2. Amend the existing erosion/sedimentation control ordinance 

 (Chapter 46, Rhode Island General Laws) to: 



• include stormwater management provisions, 



• be consistent with the objectives of the 1987 amendments to the Federal Clean 

 Water Act, 



• specifically include the technical guidelines of the Stormwater Management and 

 Erosion Control Committee, 



• require uniform application of the revised Rhode Island Sediment and Erosion 

 Control Handbook in all planning and regulatory procedures, and in the operations 

 of town departmental bodies or services, and to 



• conform with the other recommendations contained in this plan, as applicable. 



The revised erosion and sediment control ordinance should specify the minimum content 

 of local municipal ordinances and programs, specify terms for state oversight, and require 

 that approved programs be put into effect by 1990 at the latest in order to comply with 

 federal Clean Water Act requirements. 



***3. Amend the Rhode Island State Zoning Enabling Act (RIGL 45-24) to 

 provide towns full authority to address the impacts of land use on the 

 public welfare, and to protect water quality. Towns must have full authority to 

 protect public health, welfare, and the public purse, through zoning, subdivision and health 

 regulations, and other ordinances, by-laws and regulations as needed to exercise control 

 over stormwater runoff, earth removal, erosion, landfills, on-site sewage disposal 

 facilities, sewering, marine discharges, water conservation, and other local concerns. 



**4. As a component of the annual transportation capital outiay, include a program to 

 provide grants to local communities to improve drainage facilities adjacent to roads, 

 highways, bridges, and other structures contributing stormwater and sediment loadings to 

 sensitive receiving waters. Review of local proposals and award of grant funds would be 

 made by a joint committee of the Division of Planning, water supply providers, DOT, 



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