It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Legislative Intent . Because the Town of Portsmouth is adopting a Watershed Protection Overlay District effecting approximately five hundred property owners, the General Assembly intends to exempt the Town of Portsmouth by providing notice by registered or certified mail as required in R.I.G.L. section 45-24-53(C)(2), and allow for notice by first-class mail in place thereof.

SECTION 2. Any notice required to be sent pursuant to section 45-24-53(C)(2) of the Rhode Island General Laws by the Town of Portsmouth, relative to the adoption of a Watershed Protection Overlay District, in the year 1997 may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid. The said town is specifically exempted from the need to send such mailing by registered or certified mail.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.