Rhode Island House District 1

Edith H. Ajello

We must take the politics out of the CRMC as legislation sponsored by reps. Tanzi and Cortvriend would have done. Time to stop studying it and pass a bottle bill.

Rhode Island House District 1

Michael J. Garman

I am very concerned about the anti-environment decisions that the political appointees on the CRMC have made, but I would worry about losing Open Meetings Act protections and opportunities for public comment if the CRMC were simply folded into DEM -- and there have certainly been plenty of poor decisions made by state agencies as well as quasi-governmental entities. I would like to see if a stronger set of appointees could remedy the real and serious concerns with the CRMC first, but, if not, I would certainly be open to abolishing the Council and merging it into DEM. I am fully aligned with Save The Bay's push for a bottle bill and also believe that a key element of any environmental protection program must be a Climate Superfund Act, modeled on the federal toxic waste Superfund program, that would allow the state to hold the large corporations most responsible for the climate crisis financially liable for the costs of remediation. New York and Vermont have already passed these laws, and many other state legislatures are considering them.

Rhode Island House District 4

Rebecca Kislak

Rhode Island House District 7

Jo-Ann Ryan

As a Providence Councilwoman, I partnered with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council and others to promote and initiate a number of community based storm water management initiatives. I passed a PVD plastic bag ban and lobbied to pass a statewide ban. I fought to increase street sweeping and encouraged rain-barrel making and permeable paver installation. As a state legislator, I will continue to prioritize improving and protecting Narragansett Bay and its watershed.

Rhode Island House District 9

Enrique Sanchez

It's important to me that we work together to promote and sponsor important legislation

Rhode Island House District 11

Grace Diaz

Yes, I would support legislation to create a recycling refund system for beverage containers in Rhode Island. Protecting Narragansett Bay and our coastal communities requires more than education and cleanups—we also need effective policies that reduce litter at its source and increase recycling. Beverage containers remain a significant part of marine debris, and the growing presence of microplastics in the Bay is deeply concerning. I believe a well-designed bottle deposit and refund system can help keep containers out of our streets, waterways, and shoreline while encouraging responsible recycling. I would be pleased to work with Save The Bay, environmental advocates, businesses, and my legislative colleagues to develop a fair and effective system that protects our environment for future generations.

Rhode Island House District 12

Arlette Hidalgo

Reducing stormwater runoff and preventing pollution from entering our rivers and the Bay. Investing in green infrastructure and climate resilience to address flooding and sea level rise. Continuing efforts to replace lead service lines and improve water quality. Supporting environmental education and community partnerships that encourage stewardship of our waterways.

Rhode Island House District 15

Allan Wai-Ket Fung

Protecting Narragansett Bay starts long before the water reaches the Bay itself. In Cranston, that means taking better care of the ponds, streams, wetlands, and stormwater systems that are all part of the larger watershed. I have a particular interest in protecting places like Meshanticut Lake from invasive aquatic species and declining water quality. I would like to see the state provide communities with stronger technical and financial support for early detection and removal of invasive species, stormwater improvements, and restoration of local waterways before problems become more difficult and expensive to solve. Narragansett Bay is one of Rhode Island’s greatest resources, but protecting it requires us to think about the entire system that feeds it, including the neighborhood lake down the street.

Rhode Island House District 18

Arthur Handy

Rhode Island House District 19

Joseph McNamara

Better monitoring of rIver pollution entering bay waters.

Rhode Island House District 21

Marie Hopkins

Yes, I strongly support this. I would be happy to sponsor this.

Rhode Island House District 23

William A Muto

I grew up in Buttonwoods and have lived my entire life within walking distance of Narragansett Bay. On the City Council, I represent a ward that includes Buttonwoods and Oakland Beach, where thousands of Rhode Islanders swim, fish, and walk the shore every summer. When I talk about protecting the Bay, I mean the water at the end of my neighborhood. Stormwater is the issue I hear about most. Much of Warwick’s drainage system was built generations ago, and heavy rain sends runoff directly into the coves and beaches our kids use. Cities cannot fix this alone. The state needs to invest in municipal stormwater upgrades, including rain gardens and permeable pavement, so communities like Warwick are not forced to choose between clean water and other essential capital needs. Coastal flooding is already a problem. I have worked on drainage and flooding issues at the council level, and I know which streets go underwater when storms coincide with high tide. The state should provide matching funds for local resilience projects and ensure CRMC, DEM, and municipalities are working from a shared plan instead of in isolation. The Bay is also central to our economy. Shellfishing, tourism, restaurants, and the quality of life that draws people here all depend on clean water. Protecting the Bay is an investment that pays for itself many times over. If voters send me to the State House, I will make safeguarding it one of Rhode Island’s smartest priorities.

Rhode Island House District 42

Edward Stravato

I am more than delighted to work with Save The Bay should I be elected on making sure we protect our coastline. All the best and look forward to working with you in the future.

Rhode Island House District 49

Veronicka Vega

The Blackstone River is really important to Woonsocket/North Smithfield. I would be a strong proponent of any legislation that protects it from future discharges by the WWTF and any cleanup efforts to improve the quality for recreation.

Rhode Island House District 53

Suzy Alba

Increased educational awareness programs for our youth, particularly the early elementary school and middle school age in every city and town.

Rhode Island House District 58

Cherie L. Cruz

Rhode Island House District 59

Jennifer A. Stewart

I reliably support the legislative priorities of Save The Bay. In additional to voting for them, this support includes working with my colleagues as a member of the House Committee on State Government and Elections to help kill bad bills that undermine those priorities. An example from the 2026 session includes H 8216 that would have compelled the CRMC to conduct a "complete reassessment of all waters classified as Type 1 through Type 4, evaluating whether the original water type designations meet current goals or require revision..." despite having more pressing matters to address. I support full implementation of our state's Act on Climate. Lastly, next year, I will focus on getting a bill passed to create an intervenor compensation program in RI so that organizations like Save The Bay can better participate in the decision making processes of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB) on behalf of the public interest.

Rhode Island House District 65

Cameron St. Germain

As a state legislator, protecting Narragansett Bay and its watershed would be a priority for me. In East Providence, our waterfront is an incredible community asset, but protecting it requires us to prepare for rising sea levels, flooding, pollution, and other growing environmental challenges. I would support investments in resilient infrastructure, stronger protections for coastal habitats and public access, and efforts to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution before it reaches our waterways. I also believe communities like East Providence need state support to improve stormwater and drainage systems and prepare neighborhoods and local businesses for increased flooding and extreme weather. The approximately 800,000 gallons of raw, untreated sewage that spilled into Watchemoket Cove in May 2026 represents, in my view, one of the most significant recent failures of government oversight and infrastructure in our community. Incidents like this underscore why we cannot wait until aging infrastructure fails to act. The state must work proactively with municipalities to identify vulnerabilities, invest in necessary upgrades, protect our waterways, and ensure accountability when systems fail. Finally, environmental policy must include strong accountability. I would support transparent oversight of agencies responsible for protecting our coastline and ensure they have the staffing and resources necessary to enforce environmental protections effectively. Protecting Narragansett Bay is not only an environmental responsibility—it is essential to our economy, public health, quality of life, and the future of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island House District 66

Jennifer Boylan

Combo bottle bill/EPR is an absolute priority. I just attended the Circle tour in Vienna and Bratislava and have seen for myself how these systems work to effectively transfer the burden of managing waste from taxpayers to companies who profit from creating the waste. I am 1000% committed to helping get this bill passed. How can I help?

Rhode Island House District 70

John Edwards

I have legislation in to limit development in watersheds.

Rhode Island House District 71

Michelle McGaw

Just back from an environmental policy conference and wading through the information, But I know I wil be reintroducing my cesspool bill and my anti-plastic burning bill

Rhode Island House District 75

Lauren Carson

Rhode Island Senate District 3

Samuel D. Zurier

I support other policies to promote recycling, including regulation of styrofoam containers and other non-recyclable packaging materials and promotion of composting.

Rhode Island Senate District 5

Cameron Moquin

The trash on the shoreline is what you see. What's killing the Bay is what you don't: nitrogen feeding the dead zones in the upper Bay, the same low-oxygen water that killed the fish in Greenwich Bay in 2003. This fight can be won, as seen once before. When the state forced the big treatment plants to cut nitrogen, the water cleared and the blooms shrank. But the plants were only half of it. Thousands of failing septic systems still bleed nitrogen through the groundwater into the Bay, and every storm adds more road runoff. That's the half we haven't finished. I'd fund a hundred septic upgrades before I cut one ribbon.

Rhode Island Senate District 6

Tiara Mack

Rhode Island Senate District 8

Gena Felix

As a legislature, I would support stronger investments in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure to reduce sewage overflows, stricter enforcement against industrial pollution, and expanded protections for wetlands, salt marshes, and coastal habitats that naturally filter pollution and help communities adapt to climate change. I also believe we should address pollution at its source by reducing plastic waste, limiting harmful toxic "forever chemicals," and improving water quality monitoring throughout the watershed. As a nurse, I understand that environmental health and human health are inseparable. Finally, I want to ensure that environmental decision-making is transparent, community driven, and evidence-based. Residents, scientists, local organizations, and environmental justice communities should all have a meaningful voice in protecting Narragansett Bay. We can strengthen Rhode Island's economy while preserving the Bay by investing in clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable fisheries and recreation for future generations.

Rhode Island Senate District 11

Linda Lee Ujifusa

I am the Senate Sponsor of the Climate Superfund Act.

Rhode Island Senate District 13

Angela Lima

In addition to a recycling refund system, I would also support Extended Producer Responsibility legislation. An EPR can generate funding for a robust recycling refund system. Creating legislation without a funding mechanism for implementation is a pipedream and that happens often with the Rhode Island State Legislature. It could also help fund waste and recycling clean-ups. Organizations who work closest on environmental sustainability and waste clean up can help legislators decide the best use of the funds generated by an ERP. Another hope of instituting an ERP is that it becomes a catalyst for manufacturers to be become more innovative and increase compostability of the products they create.

Rhode Island Senate District 13

Dawn Euer

We need to preserve wetlands protections and make stormwater management a state priority. I also believe we should build climate resilience into every water-infrastructure investment. When the state funds a sewer, wastewater plant, culvert, stormwater system, or water-supply project, climate projections, including sea-level rise, heavier rainfall, flooding, and saltwater intrusion, to be part of the design criteria from the beginning. We also need to aggressively tackle PFAs. We also need to increase and stabilize dedicated funding to protect the watershed and the bay rather than relying primarily on occasional bond initiatives.

Rhode Island Senate District 15

Meghan Kallman

I'm interested in EPR for many things, especially food packaging. My work on climate is specifically designed to keep all of the bay safer and cleaner, as part of broader efforts towards a healthy and resilient Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Senate District 17

John Douglas Barr II

The bay is one of the best examples of an estuary on the east coast. We have to find ways to protect it. Limiting phosphates. Working with Massachusetts to limit the metal contaminants already in the Blackstone River when it enters our state. The bay is a major economic engine that we have to protect.

Rhode Island Senate District 17

Nelly Burdette

I'm running for State Senate because Rhode Island needs leaders who make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions that protect both public health and our environment. As a clinical psychologist and healthcare leader, I've seen how clean water, healthy communities, and a resilient environment directly affect people's well-being. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, a participant in neighborhood cleanups, and a mother raising three children in Rhode Island public schools, I'm committed to protecting Narragansett Bay and our natural resources through practical, science-based policies that will benefit future generations.

Rhode Island Senate District 25

Andrew R. Dimitri

I support legislation that preserves and conserves the Bay and our natural resources. I am a strong supporter of conservation and our coastal natural resources. I also am adamantly opposed to littering in any form and would support legislation enhancing penalties for that as well.

Rhode Island Senate District 28

Lammis J. Vargas

As a State Senator, I will continue to be a strong advocate for protecting the Pawtuxet River and Narragansett Bay, both of which are quite literally in the backyard of the communities I represent in Senate District 28. Protecting these waterways is not only an environmental priority for me; it is about protecting the health, quality of life, and natural resources of the neighborhoods I represent. My commitment to this work began during my time on the Cranston City Council, where I supported efforts to reduce plastic waste, including banning single-use plastic bags. In the Senate, and through my service as Secretary of the Senate Environment Committee, I support policies that reduce pollution and prevent plastics and other harmful waste from entering our waterways. This includes supporting legislation to establish a recycling refund system for beverage containers in Rhode Island, along with investments in water quality, climate resiliency, and stronger accountability for pollution. Additionally, Senate District 28 includes a portion of the Port of Providence, and communities such as Washington Park face significant air-quality and asthma concerns. As both a Senator and a member of this community, it is important to me that our environmental policies protect not only our natural resources, but also the health and well-being of the people who live closest to industrial activity. This is also an issue of environmental justice. No neighborhood should carry a disproportionate share of pollution or environmental health risks simply because of where it is located. Communities that have lived alongside industrial activity for generations deserve a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their air, water, health, and quality of life. I have been engaged in community meetings and conversations surrounding the Port, listening and learning from residents, environmental advocates, and other stakeholders. I will continue listening, engaging, and advocating for the needs of the many communities I represent, particularly those that have historically carried a disproportionate environmental burden. My work will remain focused on stronger air-quality protections, responsible environmental policies, and greater accountability for activities that impact the health of our neighborhoods and waterways. For me, protecting Narragansett Bay and the Pawtuxet River goes hand in hand with protecting the people who live, work, and raise their families alongside them. Clean air and clean water are not luxuries; they are fundamental to environmental justice, public health, and the future of every community I represent.

Rhode Island Senate District 32

Pam Lauria

Working on legislation to regulate any future data centers to mitigate climate effects, though hoping we don’t get one. Increase resiliency efforts.

Rhode Island Senate District 33

James Pierson

Rhode Island's coastline is one of our state's greatest assets, and it deserves a coastal management system that is effective, transparent, and accountable. I agree that the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) needs meaningful reform. However, I do not believe that simply eliminating the Council and folding CRMC into the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is the right solution. Instead, I support comprehensive reforms that strengthen the agency while preserving an independent focus on Rhode Island's unique coastal issues. Those reforms should include: • Term limits for Council members to encourage fresh perspectives, improve accountability, and prevent the concentration of influence. • A restructured governance model that reduces political conflicts and ensures decisions are based on sound science, consistent policy, and local interests. • A more transparent and community-driven nomination process so that appointments better reflect Rhode Island's diverse coastal communities, including residents, fishermen, recreational users, environmental advocates, municipal leaders, and business owners. Those most affected by coastal decisions deserve a meaningful voice in selecting the people who make them. • Enhanced partnership with DEM to improve the professional capacity to address shoreline erosion, sea level rise, habitat restoration, and emerging challenges such as offshore wind development in a timely and responsible manner. The CRMC must earn the confidence of both the public and the communities that depend on Rhode Island's coastline.

Rhode Island Senate District 34

Samantha Wilcox

Rhode Island Senate District 36

Alana DiMario

As the state senator for a coastal district it's a priority to look at policies that impact both our coastline and the Bay to ensure they are working toward the same goals of preservation and protection. This means considering potential hazards from costal storm damage that could pollute the Bay and its watersheds and balancing the development of our blue economy industries, for example.

Rhode Island Senate District 38

Victoria Gu

Westerly, Charlestown, and South Kingstown are at the frontlines of climate change. Sea level rise, tidal flooding, and severe weather events are affecting our groundwater and infrastructure. Septic systems are in danger of failing more often. Summer droughts have caused some households’ wells to go dry. Our coastal ponds are warming, and that is affecting the marine ecosystem. Climate change is here, and we have a limited time window to act. Just in Dec 2023/Jan 2024 alone, we’ve seen repeated and severe flooding and erosion along our coasts and rivers statewide. In 2023, Representative Spears and I introduced and passed the Act on Coasts, which will require the state to create a coastal resiliency plan and update it every two years. To implement the plan, we advocated for additional climate resiliency funding that will be in the Green Bond this November and available to all cities and towns to apply for. Rep. Cortvriend and I also introduced a managed retreat bill to help towns create plans for voluntary buyouts and restoration of coastal environments, where appropriate. We have to do more to adapt so that we don’t lose the places we love in South County

Rhode Island Senate District 38

Westin J. Place

Say no to destroying habitat due to electrical lines or pipelines and create more artificial reefs close to shore to support erosion resistance. Designate the Sakonnet river and bay as Atlantic sturgeon protected habitat to stop commercialization. And fund reintroduction and planting of native flora to fight erosion.