§ 23-19.14-1. Legislative findings.
It is recognized and acknowledged by the general assembly that:
(1) In Rhode Island, there are hundreds of sites that have varying degrees of contamination from hazardous materials;
(2) The contamination is often an obstacle to redevelopment due to the liability relating to the sites;
(3) Clean up standards and objectives must be consistent with a site’s current and reasonably expected future use;
(4) Financial institutions are often cautious or unwilling to lend to businesses that wish to expand at or relocate to sites that have or are feared to be contaminated;
(5) Rhode Island’s urban corridor contains many sites that have been found by federal or state programs to be contaminated;
(6) The following cities and towns have numerous known sites: Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, West Warwick, Woonsocket, and Central Falls. There are also many potential sites in these and other municipalities that may have been contaminated by historical industrial activities;
(7) [Deleted by P.L. 2002, ch. 186, § 1.]
(8) Proper redevelopment and reuse of these properties would not only benefit the state’s economy and the employment of those who live in the urban corridor, but would also benefit the state’s environment; and
(9) The redevelopment and reuse of these impacted sites will control and remove the existing contamination and will reduce the artificial economic incentive to develop previously undisturbed natural resources.
History of Section.P.L. 1995, ch. 187, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 186, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 296, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-19.14 - Industrial Property Remediation and Reuse Act
Section 23-19.14-1. - Legislative findings.
Section 23-19.14-2. - Declaration of policy.
Section 23-19.14-3. - Definitions.
Section 23-19.14-4. - Objectives of environmental clean-up.
Section 23-19.14-5. - Environmental equity and public participation.
Section 23-19.14-5.1. - Brownfields program and continuous improvement.
Section 23-19.14-5.2. - Entry of registered professional engineers onto certain property.
Section 23-19.14-6. - Liability for releases of hazardous materials.
Section 23-19.14-6.1. - Liability for releases of petroleum.
Section 23-19.14-7. - Exemptions to liability.
Section 23-19.14-7.1. - Remedial agreements.
Section 23-19.14-8. - Voluntary investigations and remedial actions.
Section 23-19.14-9. - Priority sites for economic development.
Section 23-19.14-10. - Settlement authorities.
Section 23-19.14-11. - Filing and public comment on settlement agreements.
Section 23-19.14-12. - Protection from contribution actions.
Section 23-19.14-13. - Authority to recover costs.
Section 23-19.14-14. - Windfall liens.
Section 23-19.14-15. - Notice and validity of liens.
Section 23-19.14-16. - Penalties for noncompliance.
Section 23-19.14-17. - Subrogation of authorities.