Policy Options

Narragansett Bay presents a unique problem because publicly owned and operated sewage treatment facilities are the primary source of the environmental damage that occurs. Normally, state and federal governments must create policies to control the actions of private firms. They can impose permit restrictions, command-and-control policies, taxes and subsidies to restrict the emission of harmful substances into the environment. Taking such action in Rhode Island would have little to no effect because the vast majority of the pollution is caused by sewage overflows.

The ultimate goal of policy options is not to eliminate all pollutants from the Narragansett Bay because the costs necessary to completely rid the Bay of pollution would outweigh the benefits. The results of our conjoint analysis survey would have taught us this.

The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), the EPA, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have worked together to find and allocate funds for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the wastewater collection and treatment facilities. Presently there are a number of projects underway:

1. FONSI Hearing – The DEM approved this $389 million report on July 12, 1999 giving the Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) 24 months to complete the first phase of the three-part project outlined for the rehabilitation of the sewage systems. A subsequent fine was issued under state law penalizing the NBC $10,000 per day if they surpass the 24-month deadline.

2. CSO Facilities Planning – This program establishes an extra tunnel to increase the sewage overflow capacity in the city of Providence. The tunnel is presently 30% complete and should be finished by 2002.

3. Tunnel Pumping Station – The NBC is currently evaluating 2-stage pumps as opposed to the traditional 1-stage pumps used to transport combined sewage from the tunnel to the treatment plant. A preliminary design that would handle 30% of the problem is aimed to be completed at this station by August ‘00.

4. Stormwater Attenuation Committee – The staff has discussed several alternatives for stormwater attenuation and will meet with its consultant CE Maguire in July to discuss changes. Action will be taken following the conference.

          5. Each individual treatment station has goals specific to itself.

                Field’s Point-a chlorination/dechlorination facility is currently operational. Chlorination/Dechlorination is necessary to                      kill harmful bacteria and to prevent chlorine from harming marine life. The dechlorination process occurs before the                      flowing water enters the Bay.

                Bucklin Point-Camp Dresser and McKee has been hired to create a design for renovations and a dechlorination                      facility is under construction.

                Saylesville Pump Station Forcemain- the current forcemain is old and needs repairs. The NBC has contracted                      Fay, Spofford, and Thorndike to assess the possibilities: rehabilitation/relining of the existing forcemain, replacement                      with a new line, or a combination of these.

                Lincoln Septage Receiving Station-to reduce the odor emanating from the Lincoln facility the NBC will install an                      air injection system. Injecting air into the septage eliminates odor-causing hydrogen sulfide.

It appears the State of Rhode Island is on its way towards the solution of the pollution problem in Narragansett Bay. The plan will not be completed for a number of years, but at least the state is taking aggressive action and has a goal in mind.

If the federal government deems that state officials are not taking the proper steps to deal with the pollution problem in Narragansett Bay, they should action. A possible policy would be the implementation of pollution tax. The federal government could create a schedule of deadlines that gradually moves toward the optimal pollution level that the EPA set. If the chosen pollution level is not achieved in the time period allotted, a federal tax will be applied to the state government for every month that the deadline is exceeded. This tax will put pressure on the state government to improve the water treatment plants and monitor local authorities. This proposal would not target the Bay specifically, but the surrounding treatment facilities that produce runoff that damages the Bay.