Administrative Adjudication

This calendar is provided as a public service by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. In providing scheduling information, we have attempted to be as accurate as possible. However, we make no claims, guarantees, or promises about the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information provided and are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for results obtained from the use of the information. Changes to the calendar are posted weekly on the Friday afternoon of each week. Every possible effort is made to keep the content of this site accurate and current, but that may not always be the case. Distribution of the information does not constitute any warranty. The user assumes the risk of verifying any information used or relied on.

The Office of Administrative Adjudication is the administrative court for all environmental matters originating from DEM. The Office successfully reduced the backlog and delays associated with the Department's enforcement actions and application appeals.

Presently, the Office consists of one hearing officer and one clerk. The Office hears all appeals filed for denials of applications or permits issued by the various programs within the Department including, but not limited to, wetland permits, individual sewage disposal system permits, resource recovery facility permits, and landfill licenses.

The Office also adjudicates all appeals of enforcement actions taken by the many regulatory programs within the Department and hears enforcement appeals for alleged violations of statutes and/or regulations under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Management. Such hearings are mandated by the Administrative Procedures Act and by R.I.G.L. Section 42-17.7.

The Office is responsible for ensuring that the regulated community (i.e.; individuals, business owners, builders, environmental groups) has an opportunity to contest actions taken by the Department and to have such actions reviewed at the agency level.