Rhode Island Groundwater Protection Act

The Groundwater Protection Act establishes a statewide framework for protecting groundwater from contamination, directing a designated state official to adopt standards governing groundwater purity and quality and naming a lead agency to coordinate the program alongside other agencies that hold overlapping authority, with an interagency groundwater coordinating committee supporting that work. It provides for a groundwater certification process and authorizes protection fees, the proceeds of which are dedicated to dedicated funds supporting groundwater protection and remediation. Enforcement runs through administrative orders, civil and criminal penalties, civil administrative penalties, and injunctive relief, subject to hearing and appeal procedures, while preserving existing rights and remedies and allowing the public to petition for rulemaking.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.