Rhode Island Environmental Protection Agency: What you need to know

Coastal Resources Management Council, Rhode Island General Laws (RI Gen. Laws) 46-23

Rhode Island Clean Air Act, RI Gen. Laws 23-23

Water pollution laws: RI Gen. Laws 46-12

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation Act, RI Gen. Laws 23-19

Hazardous Waste Management Act, RI Gen. Laws 23-19.1

Hazardous Substance Act, RI Gen. Laws 23-24

Rhode Island Recycling Act, RI Gen. Laws 23-18.8

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. In Rhode Island, DEM is the counterpart to EPA. DEM is a regulatory agency whose job it is to protect the quality of Rhode Island's environment.

• Administration and enforcement. Rhode Island received authorization from EPA to implement its own state air, water, and waste management rules. To receive federal authorization, state rules have to be, at the time of authorization, at least as stringent as the federal rules. To maintain its federal authorization, DEM is required to periodically adopt EPA's latest environmental rules or adopt more stringent state standards.

DEM

The Department is headed by a director who works with three bureau chiefs in developing and implementing DEM's programs to: protect Rhode Island's environment from degradation; protect the citizens from public health threats resulting from pollution; and provide facilities that support a diversity of outdoor recreational activities. Each bureau chief is responsible for a specific bureau. Each bureau is comprised of various divisions and offices with specific functions, including ...