This body was created in Chapter 46-28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island General Assembly in an effort to coordinate the many state and local entities dealing with waters and river navigation. The duties of the Council include planning and reporting to state agencies as well as designating local watershed councils as follows:

"§ 46-28-8 Local watershed councils. – The rivers council shall establish and recognize local watershed councils to implement the rivers policy as adopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and set forth in the state guide plan. Unless a watershed is solely within one muncipality's boundaries, each local watershed council shall be comprised of members from each municipality within the watershed area as designated by the department of environmental management. Such local watershed councils may be existing organizations where appropriate. Local watershed councils shall have standing to present testimony in all state and local administrative proceedings which impact on rivers and water quality. Each local watershed council shall be a body corporate and politic, having a distinct legal existence from the state and any municipality within the watershed area in which such local watershed council is located."

Therefore, designation by the RI Rivers Council is an important component of the organization's power and will greatly affect its ability to testify, represent, and garner financial support from legislative grants.