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 Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at the offices of the CRMC, Stedman Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield, RI.

MEMBERS PRESENT
Anne Livingston, Chair
Paul Lemont, Vice Chair
Dave Abedon
Don Gomez
Russ Chateauneuf

STAFF PRESENT
Grover Fugate, Executive Director
Jeff Willis, Deputy Director
Dave Reis, Supervising Environmental Scientist
Brian Goldman, Legal Counsel

Call to Order. Ms. Livingston called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. Ms. Livingston called for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2012 subcommittee
meeting.

Item 4.A. – Structural Shoreline Protection vis-à-vis Emergency Permits. G. Fugate explained the authorities of Section 180 Emergency Permitting due to post tropical storm Sandy. He explained that Sandy wiped-out the dune systems almost in their entirety, leaving no readily-definable coastal feature. He also explained that the majority of failed structural shoreline facilities were seawalls. G. Fugate stated that seawalls are exposed to overwash with back erosion as well as toe erosion so are more easily setup for failure over other hardened shoreline structures. G. Fugate explained that under emergency permitting staff is requiring a PE-stamp plan for any replacement of vertical (seawall) protection. Riprap revetment re-stacking is being allowed however under emergency permitting he said. Mr. Gomez stated that rip rap revetment re-stacking is a preferable practice to replace failed vertical walls. D. Reis explained how rip rap is being permitted at the staff level in that placement is inland of the failed structure and that the ends of the revetment are being tied-in to adjoining areas even if that means the return comes into lawn areas, making such areas smaller than previous existed. G. Fugate and D. Reis explained toe protection issues and the use of COIR logs. Ms. Livingston asked if FEMA funds are available for this type of work. G. Fugate stated that FEMA funds are primarily in the form of grants for public infrastructure and loans for private activities. G. Fugate explained the issues associated with the new draft FIRMs and that the agency has responded to alert FEMA of the potential greater storm-related impacts that may occur if the maps became final. M. Gomez asked if regulations could be more stringent. G. Fugate stated that they could and that we are working with the state building commissioner’s office to effectuate an additional one-foot of freeboard over the current standard. Mr. Gomez also asked what the sewerage systems are in the south county shoreline area. All are individual on-site systems. Mr. Chateauneuf and G. Fugate explained the coordination and decisions of the management of such systems post Sandy. Ms. Livingston asked if any structures built on piles were harmed. G. Fugate said that there were and stated that many such structures were built under older, previous regulations that required heights that are lower than that of today’s requirements; and, that some suffered damage due to poor construction where the pilings were not driven to refusal. Mr. Lemont questioned the allowance of rebuilding versus the taking of property and that possibly the agency should provide notice to future buyers on the issues associated with rebuilding (or not). G. Fugate explained that with all of the damage resulting from PTS Sandy, the associated storm surge was only five-six feet while same associated with the Hurricane of 1938 was 17-18 feet. B. Goldman explained the how Section 180 policies could be used to make large-scale, broad based decisions on such issues. He also explained that for any “50-percent” calls staff should document with photos and any other information that would help make such decision. Mr. Gomez noted that the agency is working very well with DEM, the State Building Commissioner and the local Building Officials to address all aspects of the implications of invoking Section 180 as a result of PTS Sandy and further noted that, among other issues, the nascent Beach/Erosion SAMP will address the larger management and long- term issues associated with erosion, sea level rise and storm surge.

Item 7.A. – Staff Reports – “Beach/Erosion” SAMP. G. Fugate stated that work with state geologist Jon Boothroyd has been stalled to Dr. Boothroyd breaking his hip; the delivery of the Side Scan Sonar unit should take place within a week or two; near shore boat research is about to begin; LiDAR data from NOAA performed after PTS Sandy will be incorporated in SAMP data; RI Sea Grant added erosion issues to their science agenda; and, NOAA will be issuing guidance on the availability of three different federal funding programs that could be used to offset the needed funding of the SAMP. G. Fugate estimates upwards of three-plus million dollars will be required for the SAMP.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. Lemont, seconded by Mr. Gomez, moved to adjourn the subcommittee meeting. All voted in favor of the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 9:46 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by

Jeffrey M Willis, Deputy Director

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