2016 -- S 2183

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LC003256

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - BIG RIVER RESERVOIR

MORATORIUM

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, and Kettle

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 37-20-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-20 entitled "Big River

Reservoir Moratorium" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     37-20-1. Big River Reservoir -- Development prohibited. -- (a) All land acquired by

the state or any subdivision thereof for the development of the "Big River Reservoir" so-called,

including any land acquired by the Big River -- Wood River Reservoir Site Acquisition Act, P.L.

1964, ch. 133, shall not be sold nor shall the land be developed in any way. The state shall not

allow any future development or continued development on that property, and the property shall

be designated "open space" as defined in § 45-36-1(1) -- (7).

      Provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit the use of the

said property as a water reservoir, or for the development of wells and well sites together with

any infrastructure necessary for the treatment, transmission, storage and distribution of drinking

water if the water resources board determines that exploration or development of groundwater is

appropriate, then it shall not require legislative action to remove the property from the "open

space" for the purposes of groundwater development as defined in § 45-36-1(1) -- (8).

      (b) Non-motorized bicycles are permitted upon and along land designated as the "Big

River Management Area". The water resources board, in consultation with the department of

environmental management shall within thirty (30) days of the passage of this act adopt rules and

regulations that include but are not limited to the appropriate designated areas and defined hours

for said uses in the management area.

     (c) Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in subsection §37-20-1(a), the Rhode

Island water resources board is authorized and directed to enter into a land lease agreement with

the town of Coventry. The lease agreement shall provide that the town of Coventry may

implement a compost facility and an emergency debris collection area in the Big River reservoir

property located on Phillips Road in Coventry until such time as the Big River reservoir water

supply is developed. Any compost facility implemented would be subject to all Rhode Island

department of environment and Rhode Island water resource board requirements for the

placement and management of a compost facility.

     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 PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - BIG RIVER RESERVOIR

MORATORIUM

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     This act would authorize a lease agreement between the water resources board and the

town of Coventry for a portion of the Big River reservoir property to be used as a compost facility

by the town.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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