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5/20/2025
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House approves Read resolution to create a commission to study the flooding of the Pawtuxet River
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STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today approved legislation introduced by Rep. Earl A. Read III (D-Dist. 26, Coventry, West Warwick, Warwick) that will create a special legislative commission to study the flooding of the Pawtuxet River.
Under the resolution (2025-H 5847A), the purpose of the panel is to study and provide findings and potential solutions to address the flooding of the Pawtuxet River.
“As flooding of the Pawtuxet River becomes more frequent, those who live or own businesses along its shores are dealing with a crisis that can include life-threatening danger, property destruction, and sediments that contain unknown pollutants,” said Representative Read. “In 2023 and 2024, we saw historic water levels that inundated neighborhoods in Warwick and the surrounding areas. It is essential that we find solutions to this ongoing problem before it causes real tragedy.”
In addition to state representatives, the 11-member commission will include engineering and environmental experts, as well as homeowners from the affected flood zones. The panel is tasked with finding solutions, including infrastructure improvements such as dredging the riverbed, constructing floodwalls or levees, enhancing storm drains, implementing green infrastructure such as rain gardens, revising land use planning to limit development in floodplains, and community preparedness initiatives to minimize flood impacts and promote resilience.
The commission will report its findings to the House of Representatives no later than March 2, 2026.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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