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Committee hears linked proposals to add wastewater disposal fee and create shellfish hatchery program
Summary
Senator McKinney introduced two linked bills: S-642 would add a fee on wastewater effluent disposal to fund DEM programs including a shellfish restoration account; S-643 would authorize a nonprofit-administered shellfish hatchery program under DEM oversight and require monitoring of nitrogen in shellfish harvest areas.
Senator McKinney introduced two related bills intended to support shellfish restoration and related monitoring: S-642 would add a fee to wastewater effluent disposal to create a restricted-receipt account for DEM’s bays, rivers and watersheds fund, with revenue earmarked in part for a Rhode Island shellfish management program and shellfish transplants; S-643 would authorize creation of a more robust shellfish hatchery program administered by a nonprofit selected by DEM and require DEM to monitor and report nitrogen levels for shellfish harvest areas.
Senator Rogers raised concerns about S-642’s impact on rural homeowners who pump septic systems, noting the potential for ongoing…
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