Rhode Island General Laws Title 2. Agriculture and Forestry § 2-18-9. Abatement of plant diseases as nuisance--Liability for cost

The chief entomologist and the director of environmental management, or either of them, may personally or through his or her deputies inspect any orchard, garden, field or roadside in public or private grounds which he or she knows, or has reason to suspect, is infested with any seriously injurious insect pests or plant diseases when, in his or her judgment, the presence of those pests or plant diseases are a nuisance to adjoining owners and shall give any instructions and directions that may be necessary in order that the nuisance may be abated. If the owner or person in charge of the trees or other plants constituting the nuisance fails within a reasonable time to follow the directions of the chief entomologist and the director of environmental management, and abate the nuisance, the chief entomologist and the director of environmental management may cause the necessary work to be done and the cost of that work shall be charged to that owner or person in charge of the trees or other plants, and the actual cost of the work shall be recovered in an action of the case to be brought by the general treasurer and the money received paid into the treasury of the state to be added to the regular annual appropriation of the department of environmental management.