In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 6:00 PM at the Narragansett Bay Commission Boardroom – One Service Road, Providence, RI.

MEMBERS
Mike Tikoian, Chair
Paul Lemont, Vice Chair
Ray Coia
Bruce Dawson
Dave Abedon
Neill Gray
Mike Sullivan, DEM
Donald Gomez

STAFF PRESENT
Grover Fugate, CRMC Executive Director
Jeff Willis, CRMC Deputy Director
Brian Goldman, Legal Counsel

1. Chair Tikoian called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m.

Chair Tikoian dispensed with the reading of opening statement as there were no applications before the council.

2. READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

Vice Chair Lemont, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the minutes of the February 27, 2007 meeting.  The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

3. STAFF REPORTS

There were no staff reports.
 
4. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

There were no subcommittee reports. 

5. Chair Tikoian called for a moment of silence in memory of Gerry DiSchino, President of the Marines Trade Association who passed away recently.

6. PRESENTATION  - Introduction to CRMC water types and shoreline features: Section 200 – Grover Fugate

Type 1-Type 6 waters; Industrial Waterfronts & Commercial Navigation Channels – Jeff Willis

Mr. Fugate stated that they would give council members a presentation on the CRMC water types.  Mr. Willis explained that he would talk about what the water types are and what policies apply to water types and what the policies are.  Mr. Fugate stated that there are no other states that have regulations relating to water types and land use. Mr. Willis explained that the CRMC’s jurisdiction is very broad and includes inland activities, activities in the 21 coastal towns for federal activities, critical areas in the SAMP, 200’ inland, freshwater wetland and tidal waters.  Mr. Willis stated that there are six (6) water types.  Mr. Willis stated that there are quadrangle maps of the different water types in the packet.   Mr. Willis explained there is a line around the shore 500’ off the mean high water mark and that this water changes to type 4 waters.   Mr. Fugate explained barrier spits.   Mr. Fugate pointed out on the map that they carved out 5 miles of type 3 waters to type 2 waters.  Mr. Willies explained that Type 1 waters related to conservation areas and what polices apply.  Mr. Willis stated that Type 1 areas include Greenhill area, Charlestown area, Barrington, Allen’s Cove and Block Island Shoreline.  Mr. Willis stated that Section 200.1.C pertained to type 1 waters which is to preserve and protect the scenic, wildlife and plant habitat values.    Mr. Willis stated that Type 2 areas are low intensity use areas with high scenic value, water quality and natural habitat value.  Mr. Willis stated that type 2 waters allow recreational activities and seasonal mooring.  Type 2 waters include Ninigret Pond and the Greenwich Bay area.   Mr. Willis stated that type 1 and 2 waters comprise of over 71% of the state’s shoreline and approximately 300 miles out of 420 miles of the state’s shoreline.  Mr. Willis stated that these waters receive the programs highest management protection available.  Mr. Willis stated that type 3 waters are for high intensity boating such as marina, boatyards and commercial use.  Mr. Willis stated that type 3 waters include the Jamestown shoreline, Bullets Cove and Warwick Cove.  Mr. Willis explained that type 5 waters are for commercial and recreational harbors and includes 8 harbor areas:  Newport Harbor, Bristol Harbor, Warren waterfront, Wickford Harbor, Old Harbor-Block Island, East Greenwich Harbor, Watch Hill Harbor and Providence Harbor.  Mr. Willis stated that these areas support tourist, recreational and commercial activities.  Mr. Willis stated that the council’s goal is to maintain a balance among diverse port-related activities, efficient use of space and to protect the scenic characteristics that make these areas valuable to tourism.  Mr. Willis explained that Type 6 waters – Industrial Waterfront and Commercial Navigation Channels which includes seven (7) ports:  Port of Providence, Tiverton shipping area, Quonset Point/Davisville, Coddington Cove, Melville, Galiee and Jerusalem and Westerly Waterfront.  Mr. Fugate pointed out that each area has a priority use and one of the council’s key issues was that they shall prohibit activities that substantially detract from or interfere with these priority uses.  Chair Tikoian asked Mr. Fugate to explain how water types get changed.  Mr. Fugate replied that municipalities usually ask for a water type change or the policy and planning recommend a water type change.  Mr. Fugate said the water type change would then go out to pubic notice, require DEM water quality certification and before the full council for approval.  Mr. Gomez noted that they are allotted a lot of federal money and ask if the federal government asked for water type changes.  Mr. Fugate replied that they received money from the federal government to protect water uses and port development.  Mr. Willis explained Type 4 waters – Multipurpose Waters which is the open water in Narragansett Bay and the Sounds.  Mr. Willis stated that open waters are adjacent to the shoreline.  Mr. Willis said the council’s goal is to maintain a balance among the diverse activities that must co-exist in type 4 waters.  Mr. Willis said type 4 waters include the Cranston waterfront and the western shoreline of Aquidneck Island.   Mr. Willis stated that the SAMP’s include Metro Bay and Aquidneck Island.  Mr. Willis explained that the proposed municipal redevelopment plans included the Metro area, East Providence and Pawtucket.  Mr. Willis also talked about the Salt Pond Region in SAMP.  Mr. Willis stated that they look at the resource protection and use expectation in each water type and try to balance them.  Chair Tikoian thanked Mr. Fugate and Mr. Willis for their presentation.

7. Enforcement Report – February, 2007

There were none held.
           
8. Category “A” List

There were none held.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Grover Fugate, Executive Director

Reported by Lori A. Field

 

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