Rhode Island Soil Erosion And Sediment Control Statewide Standards

§ 45-46-5. Model ordinance — Soil erosion and sediment control. ARTICLE I Section 1. Purpose. (a) The (city or town) council finds that excessive quantities of soil are eroding from certain areas that are undergoing development for non agricultural uses such as housing developments, industrial areas, recreational facilities, and roads. This erosion makes necessary costly repairs to gullies, washed out fills, roads, and embankments. The resulting sediment clogs the storm sewers and road ditches, muddies streams, leaves deposits of silt in ponds and reservoirs, and is considered a major water pollutant. (b) The purpose of this ordinance is to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation from occurring as a result of non agricultural development within the city or town by requiring proper provisions for water disposal, and the protection of soil surfaces during and after construction, in order to promote the safety, public health, and general welfare of the city or town. ARTICLE II Section 1. Applicability. This ordinance is applicable to any situation involving any disturbance to the terrain, topsoil or vegetative ground cover upon any property within the city or town of ____ after determination of applicability by the building official or his or her designee based upon criteria outlined in article III. Compliance with the requirements as described in this ordinance shall not be construed to relieve the owner/applicant of any obligations to obtain necessary state or federal permits.