Rhode Island General Laws Title 46. Waters and Navigation § 46-28-2. Legislative findings and declaration of public policy

(a) Rhode Island needs an affirmative, clearly articulated program to plan for, manage and protect its rivers and watershed resources on an integrated, inter-agency basis, that supports systems level planning.

(b) Many of the rivers of Rhode Island or sections thereof and related adjacent land possess outstanding aesthetic and recreational value of present and potential benefit to the citizens of this state. The preservation and protection of these rivers and their immediate environment together with their significant recreational, natural and cultural value is hereby declared to be a public policy. It shall be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to protect these values and to practice sound conservation policies and practices relative thereto. It is also recognized that it is in the public interest to:

(c) It is, therefore, essential that a Rhode Island policy be developed so that these purposes may be fulfilled. The general assembly affirms that it must assure the people of this generation and their descendents the opportunity to appreciate aesthetic and utilize the recreational qualities and resources of the state's streams and rivers. To implement these policies is the purpose of this chapter and in furtherance thereof to establish the Rhode Island Rivers Council which will coordinate and oversee the clean up and preservation of the quality of rivers in Rhode Island.