RIDOT commits $112M for drainage fixes after EPA finding

RIDOT on Thursday opened a new segment of the Blackstone River Bikeway.
RIDOT on Thursday opened a new segment of the Blackstone River Bikeway.

PROVIDENCE – The federal government and the R.I. Department of Transportation have signed a consent decree that commits the state agency to spend $111.9 million over 10 years to reduce the flow of pollutants into the state’s bodies of water through stormwater systems. In addition, RIDOT will pay a civil penalty of $315,000 for inaction by previous administrations to abide by the Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.
There are roughly 25,000 catch basins and 3,800 outfalls connected to the state’s 3,300 miles of roadways, according to a release by the U.S. Department of Justice, which direct stormwater runoff to about 235 “impaired” bodies of water in the state, which in turn eventually connect to Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays.
In a release put out by the DOJ, the government detailed the failures of the state in four areas:

  • Taking appropriate steps to evaluate and address the impact of its systems on impaired waters in the State of Rhode Island
  • Detecting and eliminating illicit connections and discharges of pollutants, including sewage, from illicit connections
  • Inspecting, cleaning and repairing its drainage systems, including catch basins and other components
  • Conducting adequate street sweeping to reduce the flow of contaminants, such as sediment and other physical debris on roadways into waterways

“For nearly a decade, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has ignored its obligation to the people of Rhode Island to protect the waterways of this state,” said U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha in a statement. “Instead, through its neglect and indifference – through its failure to inspect and maintain its stormwater run-off system – RIDOT has contributed to the pollution of those waters.”
The consent decree was arrived at after more than 14 months of negotiations between the federal government and the state, according to the DOJ statement, which included the filing of a federal suit to bring the state into compliance with the law. As one of the first actions the state must complete, RIDOT will have to produce an inventory of all its physical systems by March 2016.
In a statement issued by the state, RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said, “It’s time to stop talking about the problems and start fixing them, and we’re committed to fulfilling RIDOT’s obligations and responsibilities under the Clean Water Act.”
The 10-year plan calls for $6 million to $16 million to be spent every year on repair, maintenance and improvement of the water management system, with the expectation that some work will begin by the end of the year. In addition, RIDOT has committed to creating a drainage group in its Highway & Bridge Maintenance Division that will dedicate its time to making sure the system does what it is supposed to do.
Save The Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone issued a statement that said in part, “This federal action … is a clear message to invest in keeping the bay clean and that enforcement of environmental law matters. … We call on the Governor and the General Assembly to invest in upgrading our stormwater infrastructure and to support DEM’s enforcement of laws that protect Narragansett Bay.”

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  1. Lastly, Rhode Island should take over the distribution and sale of tobacco products. Private companies should not be selling these products that when used according to directions cause sickness and death. Rhode Island should provide these services and use the taxes and profits produced from the sale of these products to improve the lives of all the residents of Rhode Island. Tobacco products would only be sold in vending machines located inside or outside the thousands of stores and other businesses in Rhode Island. These products would be sold by the carton and payment would have to be made with a personal credit card. The possibility of children buying tobacco products would be eliminated. Funds to fully fund DCT, healthcare, education and bridge repair would be available.