42-17.1-47. Big River Reservoir — Administration.

The Rhode Island department of environmental management, established pursuant to

chapter 17.1 of this title, shall administer those lands acquired for the Big River Reservoir as

established under section 23 of chapter 133 of the Pub. L. 1964. The director of the department of

environmental management and the director’s authorized agents, employees, and designees shall

manage the land and natural resources of the Big River Reservoir. The lands of the Big River

Reservoir are subject to enforcement authority of the department of environmental management,

as provided for in chapter 17.1 of this title, and as provided for in title 20. Nothing contained herein

shall be construed to affect any of the powers granted to the water resources board ("agency") with

regard to freshwater resource management pursuant to chapters 15 and 15.1 of title 46.

Effective July 1, 2026, the department of environmental management will assume

responsibility for all land use planning and for promulgating the rules and regulations regarding the

administration of the Big River Reservoir consistent with the requirements of § 37-20-1. The rules

and regulations promulgated under 490-RICR-00-00-5 of the Rhode Island code of regulations will

remain in full force and effect until such a time as the rules and regulations are properly transferred

to and promulgated by the department of environmental management's title within the Rhode Island

code of regulations.

SECTION 7. Sections 42-28-5 and 42-28-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28 entitled

"State Police" are hereby amended to read as follows: