The general assembly recognizes and declares that:

(1)  Proper disposal of sewage sludge is important because contaminated or improperly handled sewage sludge can result in pollutants in the environment;

(2)  Improper sewage sludge management could lead to environmental degradation of land and air;

(3)  Concern for air quality necessitates proper controls over sewage sludge incineration;

(4)  Protection of the public health of the residents of Rhode Island is of paramount importance; and

(5)  “Sewage sludge” means solid, semi-solid, or liquid residue generated during the treatment of sewage in a publicly owner treatment works. Sewage sludge includes, but is not limited to, domestic septage; scum or solids removed in primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment processes; and a material derived from sewage sludge. Sewage sludge does not include ash generated during the firing of sewage sludge in a sewage sludge incinerator or grit and screenings generated during preliminary treatment of sewage in a publicly owned treatment works.

(6)  “Sewage sludge incineration facility” means any plant, structure, equipment, and other property, real, personal, or mixed, for the incineration of sewage sludge, or any property or system to be used in whole or in part for the incineration of sewage sludge, whether or not another purpose is also served by it.

(7)  The general assembly declares that in order to protect the public health and welfare, the construction and operation of new sewage sludge incineration facility must be preceded by a comprehensive health risk assessment (hereinafter called the “assessment”).