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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:
5. Each individual treatment station has goals specific to itself. Fields 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. |