Introduced By: Representatives Smith, Wasylyk and Lima
Date Introduced : January 20, 1999
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that theWoonasquatucket River contains high levels of dioxin at the various locations including the Allendale dam and the Lymansville dam; and
WHEREAS, the Allendale dam located on the Woonasquatucket River was broken during the month of November, 1991; and
WHEREAS, there is a risk that a non-functioning dam can cause contaminates to flow down stream; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the highest concentration of dioxin was found behind the Lymansville dam and the second highest was found behind the Allendale dam; and
WHEREAS, it is known that dioxins attach to the river bottom sediments and the procedure for cleanup or removal of contaminated sediments is complicated, costly and the most effective remediation has been undetermined; and
WHEREAS, the immediate inspection and repair of all dams along the Woonasquatucket River is critical to insure that there will not be any further spread of dioxin or other contaminated sediments downstream; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Department of Environmental Management within thirty (30) days conduct immediate inspections of the Esmond dam, Allendale dam, Lymansville dam, Manton dam, Olneyville dam and Donigian dam to determine the structural soundness of these dams and where necessary develop an aggressive action plan for the immediate repair and maintenance to prevent the release contaminants further down the Woonasquatucket river.
