In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, March 27, 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
Jerry Zarrella
Bruce Dawson
Dave Abedon
Neill Gray
Mike Sullivan, DEM
Donald Gomez
Tom Ricci

STAFF PRESENT

Grover Fugate, CRMC Executive Director
Dave Reis, CRMC Environmental Scientist
Dan Goulet, CRMC Dredge Coordinator
Brian Goldman, Legal Counsel
John Longo, Deputy Legal Counsel

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

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

2. READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

Mr. Coia, seconded by Mr. Lemont moved approval of the minutes of the March 13, 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 read through the agenda to see which applicants/attorneys were present.         

6. CONTINUANCES:

1998-06-026 POLLY BARRY – Requesting 4th Extension of existing permit according to RICRMC Management Procedures Section 5.12. Located at plat 155, lots 59, 61;  476 Atlantic Avenue; Westerly, RI.

The applicant was not present.  Mr. Fugate stated that the applicant requested a continuance.  Mr. Fugate said the applicant wanted administrative approval of the assent so she did not have to travel from Connecticut.  Mr. Fugate stated that the project was 60% constructed.  Chair Tikoian asked if staff had reviewed the application and visited the site.  Mr. Fugate replied yes and there were no violations.  Director Sullivan noted that there was a different name on the assent than the extension request.  Mr. Fugate explained that Ms. Barry is the new owner and the assent traveled with the property.  Mr. Fugate said this was the last extension request that the applicant would be eligible for.   Vice Chair Lemont, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the final one-year extension of the assent.  The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2002-06-054 ROCCO D’ANGELO – Construct single family dwelling serviced by Town water and sewer. Located at plat N-E, lots 3, 4, 5; Circuit Drive, Narragansett, RI.

The applicant was not present.  Chair Tikoian noted that the applicant had requested a continuance of the application within the time period allowed as they could not be present.  Chair Tikoian stated that the application had been continued.

7. APPLICATION WHICH HAVE BEEN OUT TO NOTICE FOR 30 DAYS AND IS BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR DECISION:

2006-06-130 JOSEPH and VERA LAVIN -- Construct and maintain expand the existing marina perimeter limit to accommodate 62 boats, an increase of 12. The expansion of the MPL is necessary to accommodate the expansion of the boat ramp fixed docks 30’ south, add 12 slips to the main marina area, install a new
ISDS system for accommodate the increased use. Located at plat 5, lot 15; Meadow Lane, Charlestown, RI.

Joseph Lavin, the applicant was present.  Tyrell Rhodes, the applicants’ engineer was also present on behalf of the applicants.  Mr. Goulet gave council members a brief summary on the application.  Mr. Goulet stated that the application was for a 20% boat expansion of an existing marina in type 2 waters of 12 boats to bring the total number of boats to 62 boats.  Mr. Goulet said there would be a 30’ extension on the fixed ramp adjacent to the boat ramp, which is used by patrons and the public.  Mr. Goulet said there was a new ISDS to support the marina expansion.  Mr. Fugate explained that in type two waters marinas are allowed a one-time 20% expansion of their marina.  Mr. Gray asked if there were variances on the facilities.  Mr. Goulet replied yes.  Mr. Goulet explained that the application falls under the new regulations but under the old regulations, they had adequate sanitary facilities.  Mr. Goulet said the applicant was asking for a variance on the sanitary facilities.  Mr. Lavin explained that there is a toilet in the boat shop which has a toilet, commode and sink.  Mr. Gray said it was one unisex facility and asked what happens when the boat shop is closed.  Mr. Lavin replied that the marina tenants have a key and access to the boat shop after hours.   Mr. Gray asked if there was a public boat ramp.  Mr. Lavin said yes.  Mr. Gray asked if the public boat ramp was heavily used on weekends and what happens then.  Mr. Lavin said they have use of the boat shop but that most people leave before they close.  Mr. Gray asked what the hours of operation were.  Mr. Lavin replied 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends.    Mr. Gray asked if they would use port-a-johns on holiday weekends.  Mr. Lavin said they have done that in the past.  Mr. Gray asked if this was a staff stipulation.  Mr. Goulet replied it was not a recommended staff stipulation.  Mr. Gray asked how many women use the facility.  Mr. Lavin replied on a weekend approximately 15 women might use the facility.  Mr. Gray stated that with 60+ vessels in the marina there was only one unit to use and was concerned with the lack of consideration for female customers.   Mr. Lavin stated that they keep the place clean and there have been no complaints from men or women that it is dirty.  Mr. Lavin stated that he understands where Mr. Gray is coming from and he could put another bathroom in the future for women to use.  Mr. Gray wanted to make sure that the proper facilities were instituted and suggested that the applicant work on putting another facility in the future.  Mr. Lavin agreed.  Mr. Gray recommended a stipulation that a port-a-john be in place during holiday weekends and heavily used weekends.  Mr. Gray, seconded by Director Sullivan moved approval of the applicant with all staff stipulations and that a port-a-john be required for weekends or one port-a-john per season.    Mr. Lavin stated that he would put a port-a-john in on a permanent basis as it would be less expensive then putting it there temporarily.  Mr. Zarrella asked if there was a portable pump out at the facility.  Mr. Lavin replied no but there is one 5 minutes up the river.  Mr. Lavin said the largest boat at the marina is 29’ which has a facility.  Chair Tikoian stated that there was a letter from the town planner stating that they needed to get zoning approval.  Mr. Goulet said this was part of a deficiency letter and was for upland work with ISDS.  The motion was carried on a unanimous voice.

8. PRESENTATION  -  Salt Marshes and Freshwater Wetlands – Dave Reis

Mr. Reis gave council members a presentation on salt marshes and freshwater wetlands.  Mr. Reis gave an overview of wetland types, their functions and values and definitions of wetlands.  Mr. Reis explained there are several types of wetlands: coastal wetlands, salt marshes, low salt marshes, high salt marshes, contiguous brackish wetlands, and contiguous freshwater wetlands.  Mr. Reis described wetland habitat and cross sections.  Mr. Reis said freshwater wetlands include bog, pond, marsh, swamp, river and streams.  Mr. Reis discussed wetland positions in watersheds and water flows.  Mr. Zarrella asked about forested wetlands.  Mr. Reis replied they consisted of trees in wetlands.  Mr. Reis talked about the wetland functions and values which include: fish and wildlife habitat, surface and groundwater supplies, water quality protection, flood protection, recreation and aesthetics.  Mr. Reis said other purposes of wetlands were for shoreline stabilization, an education resource and economic values such as tourism, fishing, hunting, etc…  Mr. Reis talked about the habitat value such as fish, birds and  meadow voles.  Mr. Reis said salt marshes provide water quality protection and flood protection.  Mr. Zarrella said this was best presentation he has seen so far and it was fast and quick.

Mr. Ricci and Mr. Zarrella left the meeting at 6:58 p.m. to attend a zoning board meeting.

RI Coordination Team/NROC – Ames Colt, Ph.D.

Ames Colt, Chair of the Rhode Island Coordination Team since September 2006 gave a presentation on the Rhode Island Bays, River & Watersheds Coordination and explained what the functions of the coordination team was.  Dr. Colt explained that the coordination team was created by the General Assembly – R.I.G.L. 46-31.  Dr. Colt stated that the purpose of the team was for the formation of an interagency group for the coordination of functions, programs and regulations so there would be continuity between all agencies.  Dr. Colt stated that the members of the team included:  DEM, CRMC, Division of Planning, EDC, Water Resource Board, Narragansett Bay Commission and the Rivers Council.   Dr. Colt said there were four (4) subcommittees of the team:  environmental monitoring collaborative, public advisory committee, economic monitoring collaborative and the science advisory committee.  Dr. Colt noted that all members serve on a voluntary basis.  Dr. Colt stated that they also need to work well with the municipalities.  Dr. Colt explained the System-Level Plan and their overall goals and priorities which are the management of Rhode Island bays, rivers and watersheds and to address issues in law.  Dr. Colt explained that the efforts of the team are to support and fund the development and implementation of better monitoring.  Dr. Colt stated that the coordination team member agencies, the coordination team chair and four subcommittees will produce and implement the System-Level Plan.  Dr. Colt said they are a link to the state coastal planning, management with regional coastal planning and management via the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC).  Dr. Colt passed out a copy of the State of Rhode Island Bays, Rivers & Watersheds Coordination Team “FY 2008 Economic and Environmental Monitoring Proposal” report to council members.  Dr. Colt explained the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) 2007 goals.  Dr. Colt stated that the goal of NROC was to develop a regional entity to promote southern New England marine ecosystem based management.  Dr. Colt said this included a tri-state SAMP with Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Dr. Colt said the NROC “Congress” will meet on May 24, 2007 to identify regional ocean management priorities at the University of New Hampshire.  Dr. Colt said they coordinate well within the State of Rhode Island.  Dr. Colt explained ecosystem-based management.  Dr. Colt said Rhode Island has a world-class coastal resource management program.  Chair Tikoian thanked Dr. Colt for his presentation.  Chair Tikoian noted that the coordination team meetings were held at the Narragansett Bay Commission and council members were welcomed to attend. Chair Tikoian noted that the CRMC funds held to fund the coordinated team efforts.

9. Category “A” List

There were none held.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Grover Fugate, Executive Director

Reported by Lori A. Field

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