R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-15-10: Control of injurious liquids.

No person, firm or corporation shall cause, authorize or permit any brine water, oil, liquid dye, or other substance deleterious to plant life to lie, leak, pour, flow or drip on or into the soil about the base of a tree, shrub or plant in any public highway or on any public land under the jurisdiction of the tree warden, or the department of transportation, the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city.