R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-3: Construction of references.

(a) Whenever in any general or public law the words “department of agriculture and conservation,” “bureau of markets,” “division of conservation,” “division of entomology and plant industry,” “division of forests,” “division of fish and game,” “division of parks and recreation,” “division of harbors and rivers,” “division of boating safety,” “division of enforcement,” “division of coastal resources,” or “department of natural resources” shall appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to mean the “department of environmental management.”

(b) Provided, further, that whenever in chapters 3 — 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, and 19 of title 4 entitled “Animals and Animal Husbandry” the words “director of health” or “department of health” shall appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to mean the “director of environmental management” and “department of environmental management” respectively.

(c) Provided, further, that whenever in any general or public law the words “department of the environment” shall appear, the same shall be deemed to refer to and mean the “department of environmental management” or where applicable the “director of the department of environmental management.”

(d) Provided, further, that whenever in any general law or public law the words “conservation officer” shall appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to mean “environmental police officer.”