In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room A, Administration Building, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

MEMBERS PRESENT
Michael M. Tikoian, Chair
Paul Lemont, Vice Chair
David Abedon
Bruce Dawson
Don Gomez
Michael Sullivan
Bob Driscoll

STAFF PRESENT
Grover J. Fugate, Executive Director
Brian Goldman, Legal Counsel

1. Chair Tikoian called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and announced that the one application scheduled to be heard had asked for and was granted a continuance; therefore, the opening permitting statement was not read for the record.

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

Mr. Lemont motioned, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, to approve minutes of previous meeting, January 27, 2010. Mr. Dawson stated that the minutes from the January 27, 2010 meeting reflected a unanimous voice vote on the King application when in fact he had voted in the negative and requested that the minutes be corrected. Minutes approved with correction on a unanimous voice vote.

3. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

No reports.

4. CATEGORY “A” LIST/ENFORCEMENT REPORT

None were held.

5. STAFF REPORTS

Ocean Special Area Management Plan Update by Grover J. Fugate, CRMC; Richard Kingsley, URI; Kate Manning, URI; Jen McCann, URI; and Dennis Nixon, URI.

Dennis Nixon, Associate Dean at URI began the presentation stating that the Mineral Management Service is very interested in using the methodology to design the SAMP that was created by the very thorough research team of CRMC/URI. Mr. Nixon stated that the RI Team is the first to begin this research and is on schedule for completion of the project. Mr. Nixon stated that the research team is excited to use the knowledge gained throughout the project on the creation of the SAMP, the planning/construction of the wind farm and the monitoring of the information to be gained.

Grover Fugate, Executive Director of CRMC, stated that the SAMP is essentially concerned with the Ocean starting 500’ offshore to 30 miles out. Mr. Fugate stated that RI is the only state that is encompassing this amount of area. Mr. Fugate stated that the OSAMP started 500’ offshore as the RICRMP Water Types are based to 500’ offshore. Mr. Fugate stated that the OSAMP would be a resource to use when dealing with prospectiveuse perspective such as wind farms, which is a federal project in the distant future that requires a lot of planning work be done to find a location that makes sense to build 107 turbines. Mr. Fugate stated that the OSAMP encompassed all uses. Mr. Fugate then explained the stakeholder process. Mr. Fugate talked about the research done in Europe regarding wind farms and that it is helpful to learn from their experiences such as the Hurricane force factor. Mr. Fugate stated that in RI hurricanes have to be considered and therefore the farms are constructed with 100 year storm design to withstand storm event. Mr. Fugate stated that they were asked to participate in a Marine Board that will put the first turbines in marine waters off Block Island starting the latter part of March being paid for by MMS.

Jen McCann from URI distributed public outreach pamphlets to Council members on the SAMP process saying that the Ocean SAMP process has always been a very transparent and public process. Ms. McCann stated that the goals of the SAMP process are to keep the natural systems natural, have economic benefits and honoring existing activities as they encourage new ones. Ms. McCann explained the public review process, talking about legal input and input from the Ocean SAMP subcommittee chaired by Mike Tikoian. Ms. McCann stated that all the stakeholders have had equal access to all of the information available.

Richard Kingsley of URI gave a power point presentation. Mr. Kingsley stated that his participation in the SAMP process is to help put together the research data and stated that objectives are being met. Mr. Kingsley stated that the information gathered so far will be put into a Technical report and will undergo a peer review in June.

Kate Manning Butler of URI talked about the Financial Activities for the Ocean SAMP stating that the SAMP is funded by several sources, Economic Development Corporation, Energy Commission and with the hands on help from the staff at URI and help from the URI Research Vessel Endeavor. Ms. Manning explained the EDC paying schedule. Chair Tikoian and Ms. Manning reviewed the projected budgetary numbers in terms of completion within budget. Ms. Manning stated that it looks good in terms of coming in on budget. Chair Tikoian complimented Ms. Manning on financial report. There was discussion on reimbursement from Deepwater and how the funds flow through EDC.

Mr. Fugate gave summation stating that a few chapters were written and will be presented to the Council but that the more substantive chapters that required heavier review included Fisheries, Climate Change, Ecology and Renewable Energy. Mr. Fugate stated that the SAMP will be used as a National model. Discussion on experts used stating that they are held to highest standards. Mr. Fugate stated that science is driving everything and that the team of experts is there for the benefit of RI not for the developers.

Mr. Sullivan asked about the records being kept regarding meetings and information received. Mr. Fugate stated that there were sign in sheets at all meetings but no minutes. Mr. Fugate stated that all information is documented in the quarterly report.

Mr. Gomez asked about the cell division and the acquiring of land for wind farm projects. Mr. Fugate explained the process by which a state must go through and that there were many states involved in wind resourcing from South Carolina to Maine. Mr. Fugate stated that NJ, Delaware, Virginia and Florida were out of the gates prior to the adoption of a process. Mr. Fugate stated that MMS set up interim regulations and formed a task force for New Jersey and Delaware where the lease blocks were predetermined. Mr. Fugate explained current process involving nomination of blocks from Governor, review by MMS, federal register for lease and final inner track competition. Mr. Fugate stated that the latest set of lease blocks the Governor nominated was well received by the fishermen but that the RI blocks and MA blocks were overlapping.

Chair Tikoian complimented the team on their presentation stating that the CRMC is truly blessed to have the expertise and knowledge of URI/CRC right in back yard.

Brian Goldman stated that a copy of the transcript of tonight’s meeting reflecting the presentation will be put into the Ocean SAMP file.

Motion to adjourn by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Lemont. There being no further business to discuss. The hearing was adjourned at 7 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Grover Fugate, Executive Director

Reported by Lisa A. Mattscheck

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