2023 -- H 6397 | |
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LC002604 | |
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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 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- PROTECTION OF TREES AND | |
PLANTS GENERALLY | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, McEntee, Tanzi, Carson, Serpa, Bennett, | |
Date Introduced: May 12, 2023 | |
Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 2-15 of the General Laws entitled "Protection of Trees and Plants |
2 | Generally" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 2-15-5.1. Non-native and invasive aquatic plant management and removal. |
4 | (a) The department of environmental management (DEM) shall manage freshwater non- |
5 | native and invasive aquatic plants through implementing aerial spraying, removal and other |
6 | methods, including assisting municipalities, to inhibit the growth and spread of non-native and |
7 | invasive aquatic plants and other invasive species in, along or near our freshwater water ways, lakes |
8 | and ponds. |
9 | (b) No damages shall be awarded to the owner for the loss or destruction of non-native or |
10 | invasive aquatic plants, or reimbursement made for expenses incurred incident to the application |
11 | of the prescribed preventive or remedial measures due to the fact that non-native or invasive aquatic |
12 | plants are a public menace. |
13 | (c) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as preventing financial assistance to owners |
14 | where that financial assistance is provided for under specific legislation other than this title. |
15 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC002604 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- PROTECTION OF TREES AND | |
PLANTS GENERALLY | |
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1 | This act would allow the department of environmental management to remove freshwater |
2 | non-native and invasive aquatic plants and assist municipalities in preventing the growth and spread |
3 | of these and other invasive species in the freshwater lakes and ponds. No damages are awarded to |
4 | the owner for the loss or destruction of non-native or invasive aquatic plants. |
5 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC002604 | |
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