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Executive Order 96-13
October 1, 1996
WHEREAS, Rhode Island has a diversity of natural resources including: estuaries that support both commercial and recreational fisheries, beaches that provide Rhode Islanders and tourists with some of the finest saltwater swimming in New England, bayside parks with unequaled facilities for picnicking and relaxing by the shore, rivers and streams where wetland wildlife populations flourish, and upland woods and fields supporting a diversity of wildlife and a range of passive recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island's high qualify of life is dependent upon the quality of these natural environments; and
WHEREAS, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has been charged with managing, preserving, and protecting these natural resources for this and future generations; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders have a wealth of knowledge regarding the protection and sustainable uses of these resources; and
WHEREAS, state government agencies can benefit from the advice citizens provide in managing these natural resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, LINCOLN ALMOND, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and by the provisions of §42-6-6 of the Rhode Island General Laws of 1956, do hereby order as follows:
1. There is hereby established a Governor's Environmental Advisory Council that shall consist of 18 members to be appointed by the Governor as follows:
the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Management, who shall serve as chairperson; and
two members of the Rhode Island Senate; and
two members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives; and
thirteen members of the general public who have specific interest or expertise in managing, preserving, or protecting farmland, open space, forest land, freshwater wetlands, groundwater resources, surface drinking water supplies, estuarine resources, air resources, the state's biodiversity, urban resources, as well as people who have expertise in preventing pollution, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and the relationship between environmental protection and public health.
2. The Advisory Council shall review and advise the Department of Environmental Management regarding plans and policies being developed by that state agency.
3. The Advisory Council shall prepare an annual State of the Environment Report. Said report shall: review progress being made in meeting environmental and regulatory goals and objectives; provide easy-to-understand environmental indicators to measure the quality of the state's environment; and describe policies and plans for future management, protection, and restoration of the state's natural resources.
4. The Commissioner shall present the annual State of the Environment Report to the Governor for the preceding calendar year no later than February 1 of each year.
5. The Advisory Council shall meet no less than once every three months, and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Management shall provide staff support for the Council as necessary.
6. The Council may establish subcommittees to discharge its duties.
7. The composition of any subcommittee shall be determined by the Chairperson of the Council.
8. Each legislative member of the Advisory Council shall serve-at the pleasure of the Governor for a term of two (2) years. Each general public member of the Advisory Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor for a term of four (4) years. Members shall serve until their successor is duly appointed.
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
So Ordered:
Lincoln Almond
Governor