Rhode Island Derelict and Abandoned Vessel and Obstruction Removal Commission

c/o RI DEM

Division of Law Enforcement

235 Promenade Street

Providence, RI 02908-5767

About the Commission

In 2012, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed RIGL 46-6-10.2 which created the above Commission. The duly appointed members of the Commission met on a monthly basis throughout 2013 and developed Rules and Regulations in support of the statute and adopted an application form to be utilized by authorized public entities when requesting that wrecks and obstructions be removed. In addition the commissioners developed rating criteria to assist them in prioritizing wrecks and obstructions to assist them in their recommendations to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

On February 25, 2014 the Commission held a public work shop at the Save the Bay Headquarters on the proposed regulations followed by a public hearing. The finalized regulations were subsequently filed with the Secretary of State and became effective on June 5, 2014. The Commission intends to start reviewing applications for removal in July 2014 and again in November of 2014, and on the same months in subsequent years.

Meet the Commission Members