A strong no to water pollution.

• Position: Rhode Island - Brief Article

CLF-RI is investigating--with ample justification--how well the state is controlling water pollution. We're dissatisfied with the Department of Environmental Management's (RIDEM) enforcement capabilities, and we're looking at how the state is carrying out its enforcement responsibilities under the federal Clean Water Act's Rhode Island Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program (RIPDES). Its list of shortcomings is longer than the previous sentence. We're also alarmed by continuing expressions of concern from the shellfishermen, sportsfishermen, and environmentalists on our board of advisors. They tell us that pollution continues to damage the state's fisheries, shellfish resources, public health, environment, and economy.

After reviewing RIDEM's federal pollution compliance database for major and minor RIPDES dischargers, we've concluded that many municipal and industrial polluters have violated permit limits for years. Responses have been ineffective, from both RIDEM and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As part of our RIPDES investigation, we're looking at violations on the Woonasquatucket River--an American Heritage River. Since the early...