2013 -- S 0406 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC01101/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - REDUCE

MARINE DEBRIS AND PRESERVE LANDFILL SPACE WHILE INCREASING THE

RECYCLING OF POST-CONSUMER PACKAGING MATERIAL

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Cool Rumsey, DiPalma, Sosnowski, Lombardo, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-17.1 of the General Laws entitled "Department of

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Environmental Management" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     42-17.1-46. Marine debris composition study. -- (a) The general assembly hereby finds

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and declares:

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     (1) The state of Rhode Island and its cities and towns play an integral role in protecting

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the coast and ocean waters of this state.

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     (2) There is a need to reduce the amount of waste and litter at our beaches, on our coasts,

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in the bay, in our storm drains, and in the surrounding ocean.

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     (3) Plastic bags can cause multiple problems in the marine environment, including their

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negative impact to wildlife, damage to marine craft, and presence in storm drains, rivers, and

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streams that flow into the bay.

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     (4) A marine debris composition study is a method to determine the types of materials

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being discarded along our coasts and in what proportion.

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     (5) Information obtained from completing a marine debris composition study will assist

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state and municipal policy makers in identifying marine debris waste management options

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and in more effectively targeting existing and future programs to address marine debris.

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     (b) No later than June 1, 2014, the director of the department of environmental

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management, in consultation with the coastal resources management council, shall complete a

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marine debris composition study which shall include information on the types and amounts of

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materials, including, but not limited to, plastic bags, that end up as marine debris along the Rhode

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Island coast and shall provide copies of the study to the governor and the general assembly. The

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composition study may utilize existing data compiled by environmental nonprofit corporations,

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state agencies and other entities.

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     (c) The department of environmental management and the coastal resources management

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council may accept grants and may enter into working relationships with entities for the purpose

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of funding the study.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01101/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - REDUCE

MARINE DEBRIS AND PRESERVE LANDFILL SPACE WHILE INCREASING THE

RECYCLING OF POST-CONSUMER PACKAGING MATERIAL

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     This act would require the director of the department of environmental management, in

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consultation with the coastal resources management council, to complete a marine debris

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composition study no later than June 1, 2014.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01101/SUB A

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S0406A