The general assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:

(1)  The bays, rivers, and associated watersheds of Rhode Island are unique and unparalleled natural resources that provide significant cultural, ecological, and economic benefit to the state.

(2)  Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Const., art. 1, § 17, it is the duty of the general assembly to provide for the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral, and other natural resources of the state; and to adopt all means necessary and proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state; and for the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment of the state.

(3)  It is in the best interest of the state and its citizens to preserve, protect, and restore our bays, rivers, and associated watersheds.

(4)  Sixty percent (60%) of the watershed of Narragansett Bay is within Massachusetts, almost all of the watershed of Mount Hope Bay is within Massachusetts, and five percent (5%) of the watershed of Little Narragansett Bay is within Connecticut; further, a cluster of water-related economic interests spans the three (3) states.

(5)  There is a need to foster effective management, preservation, restoration, and monitoring of the bays, rivers, and watersheds; and the promotion of sustainable economic development of businesses that rely directly or indirectly on the bays, rivers, and watersheds.