In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) is responsible for programs affecting agriculture, air, coastal resources, fish and wildlife, forests, water resources, and watersheds in the state. RIDEM was established pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-1. The head of the department is the director of environmental management, who is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.
Some of the powers of the director of RIDEM are[i]:
- to supervise and control the protection, development, planning, and utilization of the natural resources of the state;
- to exercise all functions, powers, and duties vested in the department of agriculture and conservation, division of parks and recreation of the department of public works, division of harbors and rivers of the department of public works, and department of health;
- to cooperate with the Rhode Island economic development corporation in its planning and promotional functions, especially in regard to those resources relating to agriculture, fisheries, and recreation;
- to cooperate with, advise, and guide conservation commissions of cities and towns;
- to cooperate with the water resources board and provide administrative support, staff services, and such other services that the board shall reasonably require for its operation;
- To cooperate with the solid waste management corporation and provide administrative support, staff services, and such other services that the corporation shall reasonably require for its operation; and
- to provide for the maintenance of waterways and boating facilities.
RIDEM consists of namely the following divisions: division of parks and recreation, division of fish and wildlife, division of agriculture, division of coastal resources, division of planning and development, division of enforcement, division of forest environment, and division of boating safety[ii].
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
[i] R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-2.
[ii] R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-4.
