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| The Rhode Island Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation was one of three environmental advocacy groups actively debating Barrington's proposed bag ban. (By Tim Faulkner/ecoRI News) |
By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org News staff
An opponent of
Barrington’s proposed plastic bag ban posed the rhetorical question to the Town
Council at its Aug. 22 hearing, “Why haven’t local environmental groups shown
up to take a stance on the bag ban?”
Presumably, he was referring to the most
recognized state environmental groups, such as Save The Bay and the Audubon
Society of Rhode Island.
Some environmental
groups, of course, made themselves heard at the hearing. Environment Rhode
Island initiated much of the debate by gathering supporting signatures from 340
Barrington residents and 14 businesses. The Rhode Island Chapter of the
Surfrider Foundation and Clean Ocean Access also participated in the debate.
“Make Barrington a
leader on this issue,” Channing Jones of Environment Rhode Island said to the
Town Council. “If Barrington will start something, it will spread to other
places around the state.”
“Barrington is just
one town,” said Joseph Roberts, a member of the town's Conservation Commission
and the sponsor of the bag ban. “Ultimately, it needs to be an effort that
moves beyond one town.”
The following are
responses from Rhode Island environmental groups regarding Barrington's proposed plastic bag ban:
Save The Bay. Rose Amoros, director of
communication. “We applaud local
community advocates and Shaw’s for taking action in this case. Given
limited resources, our efforts as an organization are focused on tackling
a multitude of direct threats to (Narragansett) bay such as habitat
decline/loss, erosion, sea level rise and water quality issues that threaten
bay health and the safe use of the bay. It is always great to see citizens
mobilize around a local issue with the goal of effecting positive,
community-level change — as in this situation.”
Audubon Society of
Rhode Island. Eugenia Marks,
senior director of policy. “Audubon has not taken a position on this particular
vote, but in the past we have supported legislation and policies that ban or
seek alternatives to plastic bags. While plastics serve a useful purpose where
durability, lightweight and flexibility are needed, plastic shopping bags,
originally disposable, although now recycling is encouraged, litter. The
state’s requirement that retail stores offer paper bags to customers who
request them is not uniformly followed and, of course, no resources go to
enforcement."
The Nature
Conservancy/Rhode Island chapter. John Torgan, director of ocean and coastal conservation, says
The Nature Conservancy lacks the resource to get involved with this community
ordinance. "Our decision not to take
a formal position on this was a matter of capacity, not a judgment on the
merits of the bag ban. We are always happy to offer advice and information.”
Clean Water Action
Rhode Island. Jamie Rhodes,
director. “I've signed a letter of
support for Environment Rhode Island's organizing work. Clean Water's position
is that we encourage municipalities to evaluate whether a bag ban is the right
decision for them. Plastic bags pose a unique danger to our environment because
they are generally a single-use product which is not accepted in our curbside
recycling program. They are required to be collected by grocery stores, but
this level of inconvenience for consumers is a barrier to achieving significant
levels of collection in Rhode Island. CWA is focusing on the statewide policy
that will be debated in the upcoming Senate Study Commission for printed paper
and packaging materials. This will necessarily include discussion of not just
plastic bags, but also the prevalence of plastic wraps and packaging that is
used not just by retail customers but also in wholesale shipping.”
State Department of
Environmental Management (DEM). Nicole Poepping, legislative liason. “DEM has no position on
the local bag debate going on in Barrington."
Rhode Island Resource
Recovery Corporation (RIRRC).
Sarah Kite, director of recycling services. “This is a local solid waste
initiative, and as such, RIRRC has no role other than to provide
guidance if requested. Guidance has not been requested."
Sailors for the Sea. Lauren Curley, director of communications.
“We try to stay as neutral as possible. It’s fair to say (Sailors for the Sea)
looks to educate individuals and encourage people to make smart, healthy
decision on a day-to-day basis. ... To reduce the amount of waste that makes it
into the environment certainly would have a positive impact.”
Clean The Bay. Kent Dresser, president, noted that Clean
The Bay isn't policy oriented, but focuses on cleaning up larger marine debris
and abandoned vessels. As someone who works on the bay, Dresser said he sees
plastic bags in the water daily.
Jones said the lack of
direct participation by these organizations doesn't mean they don't support a
ban. "There is broad public support in Rhode Island for banning
plastic bags, and the environmental benefits of a bag ban are clear. I expect
that other environmental groups in the state will voice their support for the
issue as public discourse around it builds."
The Barrington Town Council intends to
announce its bag ban ordinance at its Sept. 10 meeting. A public hearing on the
ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 1.