Charter

The Pond Watcher Program - the oldest operating volunteer water quality monitoring program in the United States - began with a grant from the U.R.I. Sea Grant program in 1984. The Salt Ponds Coalition, formed shortly thereafter, was a merger of several neighborhood salt pond advocacy groups covering the south coastal region from Watch Hill to Point Judith. It was formed as a 501(c)(3) educational and advocacy non-profit organization. The Pond Watcher program became part of SPC and has expanded significantly.

In 2001, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation to create the Rhode Island Rivers Council - a citizen based advocacy and water quality program for the protection of the rivers and estuarine waterways. With passage of its Notice Rule, they designated watershed councils as the recognized local advocates for their respective river or estuarine watershed areas. Towns and state regulatory agencies are required to notify the local watershed council of upcoming developments and policies affecting the watershed.

In 2003, the Salt Ponds Coalition was designated as the Watershed Council for the salt ponds region. Thus, the Salt Ponds Coalition became the recognized spokespersons to participate in local and state regulatory forums, such as town boards and commissions, DEM policymaking and the regulatory and planning of the Coastal Resources Management Council.