R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-24: Dredging and dredged material management.

The department shall adopt, not later than January 1, 2002, integrated rules for its powers and duties, including, but not limited to, those for water quality, groundwater protection, and fish and wildlife, as they pertain to dredging and dredged material management. The rules shall, at a minimum: (1) treat dredging and dredged material management and monitoring as a distinct class of activities, to be regulated on the basis of the nature and characteristics of the dredged material; (2) be consistent with the purposes and requirements of the Marine Waterways and Boating Facilities Act of 2001, chapter 6.1 of title 46; (3) provide for a single decision for the department, made by the director, on applications made pursuant to § 46-6.1-6; and (4) establish procedures for identification of appropriate sites and areas for upland beneficial use and disposal of dredged material.