[Adopted 7-15-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-16]
A. 
This shall be “an ordinance entitled 'Emergency Regulation of the Oak Swamp Reservoir.' ”
B. 
For the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Town of Johnston, it is hereby declared that the dam at Oak Swamp Reservoir is presently unsafe; it is also declared that in order to protect the dam from further damage, and for the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Town of Johnston, and in order to properly complete the extensive emergency measures necessary, the Town Council of the Town of Johnston ordains: Oak Swamp Reservoir is hereby a restricted area.
A. 
Prohibited activities.
(1) 
No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any watercraft or vessel, however propelled, upon the waters of Oak Swamp Reservoir within 100 feet of the dam proper, including but not limited to motor or sail boats, canoes, surfboards, water skis, skidoos and jet skis.
(2) 
No person shall fish or give permission to fish in the waters of Oak Swamp Reservoir within 100 feet of the dam proper.
(3) 
All foot traffic on the area of the dam located on Reservoir Avenue, specifically between Mohr Street and Shore Drive, is hereby prohibited.
(4) 
A "no wake zone" is hereby created for all residents living within 100 feet of the dam proper to permit access of watercraft to Oak Swamp Reservoir.
B. 
The prohibitions contained in Subsection A(1) through (4) shall expire on December 31, 2003.
C. 
In accordance with R.I.G.L. § 46-22-1914 and R.I.G.L. § 46-19-4, after public notice, the Town Clerk, on behalf of the Mayor and Town Council, is hereby directed to make formal application to the Department of Environmental Management of the State of Rhode Island for special rules and regulations with reference to this article, setting forth therein emergency reasons which make those special rules or regulations necessary and appropriate.
D. 
In all areas where public access may be gained to Oak Swamp Reservoir, the Directors of the Departments of Recreation and Building and Grounds are hereby instructed to immediately erect appropriate signage in accordance with the terms of this article.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to emergency, patrol or rescue craft.
Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this article may be subject to a fine in the amount of $100 for each violation.