2015 -- H 5976

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LC000073

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - STAFFORD POND, TIVERTON, RHODE

ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, and Canario

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 46 of the General Laws entitled "WATERS AND NAVIGATION" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 27.1

PROHIBITION OF POWERBOATS ON STAFFORD POND, TIVERTON, RHODE ISLAND

     46-27.1-1. Legislative findings. -- The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

     (1) Water is vital to life and comprises an invaluable natural resource which is not to be

abused by any segment of the state's population or its economy. It is the policy of this state to

restore, enhance, and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of its waters to

protect public health;

     (2) The waters of this state are a critical renewable resource which must be protected to

insure the availability of safe and potable drinking water for present and future needs;

     (3) Stafford Pond in the town of Tiverton is the primary source of potable water for the

residents of the town of Tiverton and it is a paramount policy of the state to maintain the quality

of the water in Stafford Pond consistent with its use for drinking supplies and other designated

beneficial uses; and

     (4) The objective of this chapter is to insure the effective and efficient conservation and

protection of the water supplied by Stafford Pond.

     46-27.1-2. Certain powerboats prohibited on Stafford Pond. -- (a) As of July 1, 2015,

the use of powerboats on Stafford Pond in Tiverton, Rhode Island, by persons owning real estate

abutting Stafford Pond and others using the Rhode Island department of environmental

management boat ramp on Stafford Pond or any other access point on Stafford Pond, shall be

limited to powerboats with four-stroke engines of ten (10) horsepower or less.

     (b) Any person who purchases real estate abutting Stafford Pond on or after July 1, 2015,

shall not have any right to operate a powerboat on Stafford Pond. After the last abutter is no

longer authorized to use a powerboat on Stafford Pond, all powerboat use shall be prohibited.

     46-27.1-3. Exceptions. -- Authorized rescue personnel and personnel of the Stone Bridge

Fire District, and owners and operators of the water treatment plant on Stafford Pond, while on

official business, may utilize powerboats on Stafford Pond, notwithstanding the provisions of §

46-27.1-2.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - STAFFORD POND, TIVERTON, RHODE

ISLAND

***

     This act would limit the use of powerboats on Stafford Pond in Tiverton, Rhode Island,

as of July 1, 2015, to those with four-stroke engines of ten (10) horsepower or less. It would

eventually ban the use of all powerboats, except for rescue personnel and water treatment plant

officials.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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