Rhode Island General Laws Title 2. Agriculture and Forestry § 2-1-21. Approval of director

(a)(1) No person, firm, industry, company, corporation, city, town, municipal or state agency, fire district, club, nonprofit agency, or other individual or group may:

(2) Approval will be denied if, in the opinion of the director, granting of approval would not be in the best public interest.

(3) Appeal from a denial may be made to the superior court following the exhaustion of administrative appeals provided through the administrative adjudication division established by chapter 17.7 of title 42.

(4) In the event of any alteration by a city or town of surface water impoundments used for drinking water supply, limited to maintenance within existing boundary perimeters of the impoundment, no approval shall be required; provided that the city or town advises the director at least twenty (20) days prior to commencing the maintenance work. The city or town shall advise the director in writing, describing the location and nature of the work, anticipated times of commencement and completion, and methods to be used to reduce adverse impacts on the freshwater wetland, buffer, or floodplain. The director shall advise the city or town of any concerns with the impact of the proposed maintenance on the freshwater wetland, buffer, floodplain or water quality.