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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">RI DEM Freshwater Wetlands Regulations Proposed Effective Date Change<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">T<span style="color:black">he RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has proposed a change in the effective date of the new Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of the
Freshwater Wetlands Act. Consistent with the attached Public Notice issued on November 23, 2021, DEM is proposing to change the effective date of the rules from January 15, 2022 to
<b>July 1, 2022</b>. Other than the effective date, the section regarding superseded rules and rule numbering, no other substantive changes are being proposed. The change in date is reflected in new rules referenced as 250-RICR-150-15-3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Over the next several months, DEM will be releasing guidance documents and updated application forms as well as scheduling training workshops on the new rules. During the transition, the current
DEM freshwater wetland rules (250-RICR-150-15-1) will remain in effect. Applicants planning to file completed applications (permits, edge verifications, etc.) with the DEM before July 1, 2022 are advised to follow the current freshwater wetland rules. Updates
on the rulemaking and implementation of the new rules will be posted on the DEM website at:
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/newwetlandsrules"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">www.dem.ri.gov/newwetlandsrules</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt">. A new form for submittal of questions about the implementation of the new rules will be made available
on the website soon.<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">The new rules implement changes in state law to strengthen the protection of freshwater wetland resources while streamlining the regulatory framework applicable to projects and activities proposed
near wetlands. The law requires a single set of freshwater wetlands buffer and setback standards be established and administered by DEM and the RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) within their respective authorities. CRMC has also initiated rulemaking
to adopt new freshwater wetland rules that reflect the same wetland protection standards as those adopted by DEM.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">If you have any questions on the change in effective date, please feel free to contact</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Sue Kiernan, Deputy Administrator<a name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">RIDEM Office of Water Resources<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">401-222-4700 ex 2777600<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><a href="mailto:sue.kiernan@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">sue.kiernan@dem.ri.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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