This information was summarized from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's (RIEDC) Ladd School Center Development Proposal of 1994, which RIEDC was required by town law to submit to the town's Planning Council for approval. In this proposal, they were instructed to analyze a variety of environmental, social, and town-related issues , make recommendations, and determine whether, in their opinion, a federal Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for their development before commencing. They did not deem this action necessary.

The following are discussion of what would be impacted by contamination that RIEDC determined would happen should the development of the Ladd Center be approved. For information about possible sources of contamination at the Ladd Center, go here.

Wetlands

• The Ladd School is bordered on the western side to the Bear Swamp, which is hydrologically connected to the Queen's river. Bear Swamp is an extensive forested wetland that extends north, south and west of the Ladd Center.
• The southeastern portion of the site is associated to the Queens Fort Brook, a tributary to the Queens River. Two intermittent streams and the Queens Fort Brook merge and flow westward through the southeastern portion of the site along an access road. These streams seem to "receive some roadway drainage."
• One stream that flows into the Queens River originates on the east side of the Ladd Center access road near the administration building. "Field inspection revealed a dump site (household appliances, furniture, debris) directly up slope from the headwaters of this intermittent stream. This sump extends into the wooded swamp wetland fringe associated with the stream."
• On the western side of the property, just northeast of the wastewater treatment facility, is a bog dominated by Sphagnum moss and highbrush blueberry. "At the northern end of the bog, a pumping station and a discharge pipe to this wetland was noted...at the southeastern portion of the bog, just west of a small open field, a small dump site was noted...consisting of mostly shrub cuttings and empty one quart oil containers. This dump is located within the 50 foot setback of the wooded wetland fringe which surrounds the bog at this location."

Aquifer

• "The Ladd Center property contains significant groundwater reservoir areas and lands which contribute to the recharge of groundwater resources. The project area lies over either the actual groundwater reservoir where the saturated thickness is 40 feet and the transmissivity is 4,000 feet square per day or over an adjacent area of recharge which is characterized by stratified drift (outwash) deposits. Virtually the entire property falls under this zoning designation which is intended to provide protection for the aquifer."