Rhode Island General Laws Title 46. Waters and Navigation § 46-12-5. Prohibitions

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to place any pollutant in a location where it is likely to enter the waters or to place or cause to be placed any solid waste materials, junk, or debris of any kind whatsoever, organic or non organic, in any waters.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant into the waters except as in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations promulgated hereunder and pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit.

(c) It shall be unlawful to construct or install any industrial, commercial, or other establishment, to make any modification or addition thereto, or to undertake any development which may result in the discharge of any pollutant into the waters of the state, unless the discharge is made to a system or means to prevent pollution approved by the director.

(d) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) above, an applicant seeking a water quality certification from the department of environmental management in connection with the disposal of dredge material at a site as provided for in § 46-23-18.3 and in a manner consistent with a comprehensive program as provided for in § 46-23-6(1)(ii)(H), shall be granted said water quality certification if the department of environmental management determines that the proposal is consistent with the water quality standards adopted pursuant to § 46-12-3(24).