2023 -- H 5087

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LC000074

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATER AND NAVIGATION -- CIBA-GEIGY CORRECTIVE ACTION

PLAN

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Bennett, Potter, and Handy

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2023

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 24.1

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CIBA-GEIGY CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

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     46-24.1-1. Ciba-Geigy corrective action plan.

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     (a) The director of the department of environment management, in consultation with the

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United States Environmental Protection Agency-Region 1, shall develop a plan for flooding on the

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Pawtuxet River, specifically on the land of the former Ciba-Geigy Chemical Company located at

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180 Mill Street in Cranston, and shall address the following issues:

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     (1) Public notification of the results of any testing that is done on the site, including the die

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testing to determine if polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are leaching into neighboring wells and

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the Pawtuxet River.

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     (2) Develop a community notification plan if ground water contaminants are detected

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leaking into the Pawtuxet River.

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     (3) Develop a plan to address the remediation of contaminants detected in sediment on

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residential and business properties that minimize the risk to human health and the environment.

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     (4) Develop plans that use weather models that factor in projected increases in flooding

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events based upon updated climate data.

 

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     (b) This plan shall be developed and implemented no later than January 1, 2025.

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     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 WATER AND NAVIGATION -- CIBA-GEIGY CORRECTIVE ACTION

PLAN

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     This act would require the department of environmental management to develop a plan for

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flooding on the Pawtuxet River, specifically at the site of the former Ciba-Geigy Chemical

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Company located at 180 Mill Street in Cranston, with regard to contaminants leaching into the

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Pawtuxet River and neighboring wells.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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