Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Dam Safety

Stacey Pinto, Environmental Engineer III
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
(401) 537-4477

Patrick Hogan, Environmental Engineer IV
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
(401) 537-4449

Contact OC&I via E-Mail, except for requests to review records. For records, please visit https://dem.ri.gov/filereview 

This program investigates constituent complaints relating to and performs compliance monitoring inspections of dams whose failure could cause loss of life or significant property damage.

Dam Safety Virtual Workshop: Knowing Your Dam's Ability to Handle Intense Rainstorms

DEM's Office of Compliance and Inspection hosted a webinar on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, for dam owners, city/town officials, and State officials to explain the findings from an analysis that RIDEM completed on the ability of High Hazard and Significant Hazard dams in Rhode Island to safely pass the 100-year and 500-year storms.

Workshop Objectives:

  • Provide the background that led RIDEM to complete the analysis, including recent information on climate change
    and its relationship to intense rainstorms
  • Share the findings of the analysis
  • Explain what it means to dam owners and what RIDEM will be doing as the next steps to address the findings
  • Provide information on potential Federal funding to upgrade or remove dams
  • Listen to concerns and answer any questions from dam owners

Agenda:

  • Welcome and introductions:
    • David E. Chopy, Administrator, Office of Compliance and Inspection
    • Christina Hoefsmit, Deputy Administrator, Office of Compliance and Inspection
    • Stacey Pinto, Environmental Engineer Ill, Dam Safety Program
    • Addison Bergmann, Environmental Scientist I, Dam Safety Program
  • Spillway capacity as it relates to dam safety and climate change
  • Review of High Hazard and Significant Hazard dams chosen for analysis
  • Spillway capacity analysis findings
  • What it means for dam owners and next steps
  • Participant Feedback
  • Adjourn

ASDSO Dam Owner Academy

The Dam Owner Academy is a series of videos to educate and inform owners on all aspects of operating and maintaining a dam safely. The videos concisely present the critical basics of owner responsibilities and are available as a free resource for owners and those conducting owner outreach programs. Over the next few years, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) will release additional videos and tools as part of the Dam Owner Academy. For future videos, make sure to subscribe to ASDSO's Youtube Channel and check DamOwner.org.

Report an Environmental Complaint

DEM's Office of Compliance and Inspection (OC&I) investigates complaints and suspected violations of environmental laws and regulations and performs compliance monitoring of regulated activities. Compliance with environmental laws, rules, regulations, permits and licenses is enforced through both informal and formal enforcement actions. Note: Complaints are public records and information you forward to OC&I will be available for public review UNLESS you advise us that you wish to remain anonymous.

Report via Email

After hours emergency: 401-222-3070