In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council a meeting was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 6:00 PM at the Department of Administration – Conference Rooms B & C – One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

MEMBERS

Mike Tikoian, Chair
Paul Lemont, Vice Chair
Dave Abedon
Ray Coia
Neill Gray
Joe Shekarchi
Jan Reitsma
Jerry Sahagian

STAFF PRESENT

Grover Fugate, CRMC Executive Director
Ken Anderson, CRMC Senior Engineer
Brian Goldman, Legal Council

1. Chair Tikoian called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.

Chair Tikoian brief statement of clarification on the council’s permitting process.

Chair Tikoian read through the agenda to see which applicants/attorneys were present.

Mr. Coia, seconded by Mr. Gray moved approval of the April 23, 2003 minutes. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2. STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Fugate stated that there would be two separate hearings tonight, the full council meeting and a DEM hearing on water quality certification in Newport.

Chair Tikoian announced that the Providence River Dredging project began on Saturday, May 10th and they did a tour of the dredge area. Chair Tikoian stated that they would have a tour for council members. Chair Tikoian said there would be updates on the dredging project to be given by staff at the semi-monthly meetings regarding the impact on the CAD being dug and the amount of dredge material dredged.

3. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Goldman informed council members that he argued the Champlin Marina application in New Shoreham before the Superior Court and that they should receive a decision within a couple of months.

There were no additional subcommittee reports.

Chair Tikoian read through the agenda to see which applicants/attorneys were present.

4. APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT TO NOTICE ARE BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR DECISION:

2003-03-085 – EXXON MOBILE – Dredge 25,000 cubic yards of maintenance dredge material from its berth and disposal cell (CAD) that is part of the Federal Dredging Project. Project located at Plat 210, Lot 8, 1001 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI.

Greg DeMarco, Exxon Mobile terminal manager, was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary of the application. Mr. Anderson stated that the application was a non-federal maintenance dredging application to dredge 29,000 cubic yards of dredge material. Mr. Anderson said the dredge material would be disposed of in a CAD cell. Mr. Anderson stated that staff recommended approval of the application with all staff stipulations. Chair Tikoian asked if they were subject to the same tipping fees as marinas. Mr. Fugate stated yes. Mr. Shekarchi, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations. Mr. Reitsma asked if the applicant agreed to the staff stipulations. Mr. DeMarco replied yes. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2002-08-011 – RHODE ISLAND YACHT CLUB – Dredge 31,600 cubic yards of material from within the Marina Perimeter Limit and disposal in the CAD for the Providence River and Harbor Project. Located at Plat 2, Lot 1678, One Ocean Avenue, Cranston, RI.

Americo Conti, Rhode Island Yacht Club, the applicant was present. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary of the application. Mr. Anderson stated that the application was to dredge 31,600 cubic yards of dredge material to be disposed of in a CAD cell. Mr. Anderson said staff recommended approval of the application with all staff stipulations. Chair Tikoian asked if the applicant was aware of the staff stipulations. Mr. Conti replied yes and that they agreed to them. Mr. Shekarchi, seconded by Mr. Abedon moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

6. APPLICATIONS REQUESTING MODIFICATION OF ASSENT BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL:

2002-07-035 – SAVE THE BAY – Modification of existing Assent B02-7-35 consisting of the addition of salt marsh restoration project (approx. 24, 00 square feet, total), including the installation of a “marine mattress” toe protection gabion, approximately 500’ long, 10’ wide and 1’ thick. Located at Plat 56, Lot 257; Fields Point, Providence, RI.

Ralph Kinder, Save the Bay, the applicant was present. Blake Henderson, the applicant’s engineer was also present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary of the application. Mr. Anderson stated that this was a request of a modification of an application recently approved by the council. Mr. Anderson said this application was to restore ½ acres of eelgrass. Mr. Anderson stated that this site was going to be the “Explore the Bay Center”. Mr. Kinder said they agreed to all the staff stipulations. Chair Tikoian asked what a marine mattress was. Mr. Anderson explained that this was a new application of an old technology. Mr. Anderson said it is a plastic grid form filled with small stones and rocks, which provides toe protection for fill. Mr. Anderson said it would lock in and provide protection for the eelgrass. Chair Tikoian asked about the staff concerns raised. Mr. Anderson said they were concerned with the site being exposed to wave activity and being vulnerable to erosion but that staff was satisfied with the plan submitted by the applicant. Mr. Shekarchi, seconded by Mr. Reitsma moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

7. APPLICATIONS REQUESTING SPECIAL EXCEPTION BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL:

2002-12-067 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT/DIVISION OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT – A floating courtesy dock adjacent to existing Mule Shed boat ramp, consisting of 6’ x 15’ concrete “landing” (abutment) and 6’ x 52’ float. (No overnight dockage to occur; transient use only to assist in boat launch ramp use.); also, minor drainage improvements to alleviate stormwater ponding in parking lot area. The proposal requires a “Special Exception” (RICRMP Section 130) to install floats in a CRMC “Type 1” waterway. Project located at Fort Adams State Park, Mule Shed Area, Newport, RI.

Chair Tikoian and Mr. Reitsma recused themselves.

Vice Chair Lemont presided over the application.

John O’Brien, DEM Fish and Wildlife Division, the applicant was present. Paul Ryan, attorney for the objectors, was also present. Tom Bangdeny who was in favor of the application was also present.

There was no quorum Vice Chair Lemont called for a recess at 6:15 p.m. Chair Lemont called the meeting back to order at 6:36 p.m

Vice Chair Lemont announced that the council was not going to have a quorum for this application. Vice Chair Lemont stated that there would be no CRMC decision on the application until after the water quality certification issue was determined, which was being heard after the CRMC council meeting, and then the council would make its decision. Vice Chair Lemont said he discussed the matter with both parties involved and they agreed to continue the application to the June 10th council meeting. The application was held until June 10th.

8. Category “A” List

There were none held.

There being no further business before the council the meeting, the council adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Grover Fugate
Executive Director CRMC

Reported by Lori A. Field

CALENDAR INDEX