About The Rivers Council
The RI Rivers Council was created by statute to coordinate, oversee, and review efforts to improve and preserve the quality of the state's rivers and other water bodies and to develop plans to increase river use. The General Assembly created the Council because "state jurisdiction over rivers, environmentally, culturally and economically, is scattered among state agencies and in some instances, state policies and plans [concerning rivers] are conflicting." The Council is charged with coordinating state policies to protect rivers and watersheds and strengthening local watershed councils as local partners in river and watershed protection. In 2004, the Rivers Council became an associated function of the Rhode Island Water Resources Board.
The Council is not a regulatory body; its functions are planning, coordination and empowerment.
The primary duties of the Council are:
- to develop a Rhode Island State Rivers Policy and Classification Plan
- to advise State Agencies and municipalities concerning programs and measures to improve and protect river and watershed quality and to promote river use consistent with the Rivers Plan
- to foster public involvement in river planning and decision-making through public education and promotional activities
- to designate watershed councils as bodies corporate and politic with specific powers, duties and responsibilities.
Rhode Island Rivers Council Membership
According to RIGL 46-28-5, the Council shall consist of 15 members.
| Public Members | ||
| MEMBER | APPOINTED BY | |
| Joe Baer | Governor Carcieri | |
| Ted Callender | Governor Carcieri | |
| Guy Lefebvre | Governor Carcieri | |
| Jane Sherman | Governor Carcieri | |
| Claudia Staniszewski | Governor Carcieri | |
| Statutory Members | ||
| REPRESENTATIVE | ENTITY | |
| Kevin Cute | Coastal Resources Management Council | |
| Scott Millar | Department of Environmental Management | |
| Kevin Nelson | Department of Administration | |
| Will Riverso | Rhode Island Water Resources Board | |
| Mike Walker | Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation | |
The documents below further describe the organization and operating procedures of the Rhode Island Rivers Council for administering Chapter 46-28 of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.