In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council’s Planning and Procedures subcommittee, a meeting of the subcommittee was held on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the offices of the RICRMC, Stedman Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield, RI.

MEMBERS PRESENT
Anne Livingston, Chair Paul Lemont, Vice Chair Bruce Dawson Don Gomez
Russ Chateauneuf

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

OTHERS PRESENT
Doug Groff

Call to Order. Ms. Livingston called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

Ms. Livingston called for a motion to approve the minutes of the July 27, 2011 subcommittee meeting.

Item 4.A. – Section 120 - Variances. J. Willis and B. Goldman presented that section revisions are primarily editorial with one better explaining the purpose of how a variance is granted. J. Willis explained that existing language may give the impression that an Assent will be granted when the Council finds that the variance criteria are met. This is not the case as Assents may not be granted for other programmatic reasons even though variances issues may have been met.

Item 4.B. – Ocean SAMP – Chapter 8 – Renewable Energy and Other Offshore Development and Item 4.C. - Ocean SAMP – Chapter 11 – The Policies of the Ocean SAMP. G. Fugate presented issue of Site Assessment Plan studies being vetted and decided upon at the executive director level. This will help keep process of track. Mr. Chateauneuf asked if such a decision is appealable. G. Fugate and B. Goldman both responded that an appeal will go in front of the full council. Mr. Gomez stated that after the council hears the appeal the issue can be further appealed at Superior Court. B. Goldman agreed. Mr. Lemont asked is the phrase “on behalf of the council” is redundant. The subcommittee discussed and felt that it wasn’t. Ms. Livingston made grammatical edits.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. Lemont, seconded by Mr. Dawson, moved to adjourn the subcommittee meeting. All voted in favor of the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Jeffrey M Willis, Deputy Director

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