In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room A, Administration Building, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Jennifer Cervenka, Chair
Don Gomez
Ron Gagnon, RIDEM
Jerry Sahagian
Joy Montanaro
Trish Reynolds

Members Excused
Raymond Coia, Vice Chair
Mike Hudner
Michelle Collie
Lisette Gomes

Staff Present
Grover Fugate, Executive Director
Jeffrey Willis, Deputy Director
James Boyd, Coastal Policy Analyst
David Reis, Spv Environmental Scientist
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel

1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Cervenka called for approval of minutes:

• October 8, 2019
  Chair Cervenka asked for edits in the minutes to reflect one applicant, Meghan Lapp, for position on the Fishermen’s Advisory Board FAB and to clarify Chair Cervenka’s statement on Torre motion.
  Motion: Chair Cervenka
  Second: Ms. Reynolds
  Motion to approve minutes with edits carried on a unanimous voice vote.

3. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

None

4. STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Fugate updated the Council regarding:

Successional Planning Retreat for CRMC Staff and NOAA scheduled for Thursday, October 24th and Friday October 25th. A member of the FIT team will attend on the afternoon of Friday, October 25th. Council Members are welcome to attend but not necessary.

Update on the Woonasquatucket Waterfire Dredging project which was approved by the Council on October 8, 2019. Dredging will begin within three weeks and project should end in December.

5. Education Series

Presentation by Theresa Crean of URI and James Boyd of CRMC regarding the Coastal Hazard
Application Viewer and StormTool document required for applications.

A public stakeholder meeting will be scheduled in November in the Mosby Center at Bay Campus and a presentation will be at Corless Auditorium at 6:00 – Mr. Fugate sent a schedule of these event to Council Members.

6. APPLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN OUT-TO-NOTICE AND ARE BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR DECISION:

2019-03-026 DAVID & BARBARA BRAKENWAGEN -- Construct and maintain a residential boating facility consisting of a fixed timber pier (4’ x 69’), 3.5’ x 26’ access ramp and 8’ x 18.5’ (148sf) terminal float. The total facility is proposed to extend ~75’ seaward of the cited MLW mark, requiring a 25’ length variance to RICRMP Section 1.3.1(D). Located at plat R-3, lot 6; 1 Sandpiper Road, Narragansett, RI.

Mr. Reis gave a brief overview of the application stating that the application, which originally
requested a 25’ length variance, was revised to request an additional 20’ seaward extension thereby requiring a 45’ length variance to extend ~95’ seaward of MLW. No objections were received during the Public Notice period. Applicant requested additional length to achieve 2-3’ water depth at MLW and submitted variance criteria indicating that additional length variance was due to additional survey data of 2019 summer low tides. Staff believes they meet the variance criteria and offered no objection to the issuance of this assent with Council approval.

Mr. Reis explained that CRMC has a minimum requirement of 18” for water depth at MLW and
that the applicant/owner was concerned about the depth at the terminus of the float.

Sworn in and identified for the record were: Anthony Nenna, PE and Project Engineer with On- Site Engineering; and, David Brakenwagen, property owner.

Mr. Nenna confirmed what Mr. Reis had stated in his overview, stated that he was available to answer questions and asked the Council for a favorable approval.

Mr. Reis confirmed for Chair Cervenka that an ACOE permit was required and obtained.

Chair Cervenka asked Mr. Nenna if they had entertained alternative locations for the dock. Mr. Nenna stated that the current requested location was the most appropriate location to avoid wetland plantings on the other side of the dock which was used for beach area as well.

Mr. Sahagian asked if there were any objectors present. Mr. Reis stated there were no objections to the application.

Chair Cervenka closed the public hearing.

Mr. Sahagian motioned for approval which was seconded by Mr. Gomez. The motion to approve was carried on an unanimous voice vote.

2019-03-007 THE NARRAGANSETT BOAT CLUB -- Construct and maintain an expansion to an existing commercial structure in tidal waters (CRMC Type 4), which supports the Narragansett Boat Club’s rowing facility. The expansion will include a 10’ x 20’ fixed pier and 8’ x 10’ gangway (ramp) to provide access to approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of proposed new floating docks. The docks will be anchored by 12” diameter Pearson pilings and arranged to provide a connection to the existing system of floating docks. Two existing dolphins (pile clusters) will be removed and relocated to the north of the proposed floating docks. A new/expanded structural perimeter limit (SPL) is proposed to encompass the facility consistent with §1.3.1(C)(4) of the CRMC Red Book (650-RICR-20-00-1). The project requires a variance from § 1.3.1(C)(4) of this Part for establishing a SPL within the required setback from the federal navigation channel of 48 feet (which is based on 3x the authorized depth of 16’ = 48’). The SPL is proposed within 2 feet of the federal channel thereby requiring a 46’ variance. The US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is concurrently reviewing this project. Pursuant to § 1.3.1(D)(5)(2) of the CRMC Red Book and § 1.4.2(F) of CRMC’s Management Procedures (650-RICR-10-00-1), the Narragansett Boat Club must obtain an ACOE authorization for this project before the CRMC can issue an assent. Located in the Seekonk River off of 2 River Road, Providence, RI.

Mr. Reis gave an overview stating that the applicant requested an expansion to the existing commercial structure in Type 4 waters and an expansion to the structural perimeter limit within two feet (2’) of the adjacent navigational channel which requires a 46’ variance and approval from the Army Corps of Engineers for infringement on the Federal Navigation Channel setback. Mr. Reis stated that CRMC staff had discussed the project with the ACOE navigation branch.

Mr. Reis confirmed that a RIDEM Water Quality certification had been issued and that the CRMC staff did not have any conflict with the submitted Category B criteria.

Mr. Reis stated that this project required a public access plan, and that the applicant reached an agreement with the City of Providence that the boat club would supplement the City’s kayak and shoreline access project by giving $2500 additional monies to the cities fund. Mr. Reis confirmed that staff is amenable to offsite public access solutions when applicable, and confirmed that the City would add the additional monies for signage, benches, waste receptacles and provide more rowing opportunities.

Mr. Fugate stated that the location of the project is north of the bridge which was previously used to access terminals; however, the ACOE has shown no interest in dredging this area but floats can be removed if any project is planned in future years.

Water Type was discussed based on the project being in Type 4 waters which allows for mixed use. Mr. Sahagian stated that this project was the perfect use of Type 4 waters.

Sworn in and identified for the record were:
Tom Principe, PE, Principe Company, Inc.
Dan Gorriaran – Principle, Narragansett Boat Club

Mr. Gorriaran explained that the expansion is due to the fact that rowing is a fast growing sport and that the boat club provides an avenue for students at the middle school to join the sport. Mr. Gorriaran stated that the expansion would allow for another point of egress for rowing shells to enter the water. Mr. Gorriaran explained that they have interest from two other schools that would like to participate.

Mr. Principe stated that the applicants had work diligently with CRMC and the ACOE on the design and review of the project and stated that the variance became necessary because of the existing geometric configuration.

There were no objectors present for this application.

Chair Cervenka closed the public hearing.

Mr. Gagnon motioned approval with standard stipulations and staff recommendations of an access plan and ACOE permit before CRMC Assent takes effect. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sahagian.

The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to Adjourn:
Motion: Chair Cervenka
Second: Ms. Reynolds
Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at: 8:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

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