In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. utilizing Zoom Meeting, and Council members participating remotely.

Members Present
Jennifer Cervenka, Chair
Raymond Coia, Vice Chair
Trish Reynolds
Joy Montanaro
Ron Gagnon, RIDEM
Mike Hudner
Don Gomez
Jerry Sahagian

Members Excused
Michelle Collie

Staff Present
Grover Fugate, Executive Director
Jeffrey Willis, Deputy Director
Danni Goulet, Marine Infrastructure Coordinator
Jim Boyd, Coastal Policy Analyst
Anthony DeSisto, CRMC Legal Counsel
Caitlin Chaffee, Coastal Policy Analyst, Meeting Moderator
Laura Dwyer, Public Education & Information Coordinator
Lisa Turner, Office Manager, Recording Secretary
Rebecca J. Forte Court Reporters, Stenographer

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Cervenka called the virtual Zoom meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. and identified the participants of the meeting, Council Members, Staff Members and Applicants. Chair stated the meeting will be recorded.

2. Caitlin Chaffee, Meeting Moderator, briefed participants on the meeting housekeeping items.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Cervenka called for approval of minutes for the May 12, 2020 meeting:

• Motion: Mr. Hudner
• Second: Vice Chair Coia

Roll Call vote:

Chair Cervenka Abstain
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Yes
Mr. Gagnon Yes
Ms. Montanaro Yes
Ms. Reynolds Yes

Motion carried to approve minutes of May 12, 2020 meeting.

4. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

No subcommittee reports.

5. STAFF REPORTS:

No staff reports.

6. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING:

2016-05-069 SAVE THE BAY, CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION, THE SURFRIDE FOUNDATION - Petition for Declaratory Judgement in accordance with RIGL 42-35-8 and Coastal Resources Management Council Management Procedures Section 650-RICR-10-00-1.12.

Chair Cervenka explained that CRMC received a request to withdraw the Petition for Declaratory Judgement.

Mr. Hudner motioned, seconded by Mr. Gomez, to allow the request to be withdrawn

Roll Call vote:
Chair Cervenka Abstain
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Yes
Mr. Gagnon Yes
Ms. Montanaro Yes
Ms. Reynolds Yes

Motion carried.

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

2020-01-076 TOWN OF BARRINGTON -- The project will include a public recreational boating facility consisting of a 6’ x 34.5’ fixed timber pier, 5’ x 33.5’ aluminum ramp and an 8’ x 40’ (320sf) float. The facility proposes to extend ~77’ seaward of the cited MLW mark and is subject to regulation under Red Book 650- RICR-20-00-01 Section 1.3.1(C). Located at plat 3, lot 25; Police Cove Park, 95 County Road, Barrington, RI.

Mr. Goulet briefly explained to the Council:

• The Town of Barrington was requesting approval of a public access pier adjacent to an existing public boat ramp.
• The project is in Type 3 High Intensity Recreational boating waters.
• The proposal is for a pier that is 108 feet long overall and has three main sections, a fixed pier a gangway and a floating dock.
• The fixed portion will be 34.5 feet, the aluminum gangway will be 33.5 feet long and the pile supported floating dock will be 40 feet long.
• The project was put out to a 30 day public notice and there were no comments received.
• The RIDEM has already issued its Water Quality Certificate and it is included in the Council Package.
• There are no wetlands or submerged aquatic vegetation impacted by thisn proposal.
• The applicant provided responses to all of the applicable sections of the RICRMP in the original application.
• There was a modification to the original application on March 20 that addressed RIDEM construction concerns.
• It is the opinion of Staff that these responses are adequate and that they meet the requirements of the RICRMP.
• The staff report contains details each of the sections and the staff analysis.
• It is the opinion of staff that this proposal meets the policies and standards of the
• RICRMP and approval is recommended with the typical stipulations for this type of project.

Chair Cervenka inquired as to the need for a longer facility. Mr. Goulet stated that with the fixed pier, a gangway, and addition of a floating dock there would be greater water depth which would be more reasonable for the entire dock face.

Chair Cervenka asked about the Coastal Hazard analysis the application submitted. Mr. Goulet explained that this particular area will flood and the dock will submerge. Mr Goulet explained that the fixed pier portion would be fine once the water receded but that the ramp and float would need to be removed prior to a severe storm event. Mr. Goulet explained that the piles would typically last about 20 years so they will be able to increase the elevation of the pier prior to the ending of the 50-year facility. Mr. Goulet confirmed that the 50-year design life language would be memorialized in the Assent.

Mr. Fugate stated that all in water assents are only limited to 50 years with the removal of structure after 50 years or the option of reapplication.

There were no further questions for Mr. Goulet.

Igor Runge of GZA was present for the Town.

There were no questions for Mr. Runge from the Council.

Chair asked if anyone else would like to speak in favor or in objection.

Michael Fontaine, Bristol citizen had a question of trash removal. Mr. Rungee stated that trash removal was not discussed and was best left for the Town to address. Mr. Rungee to send Mr. Fontaine contact information for the Town of Bristol.

Chair Cervenka closed the Public Comment period.

Mr. Gagnon made a motion to approve with stipulations included in Council agenda package. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hudner.

Chair Cervenka stated that she was in support of the appropriately designed project as it is the right kind of use for type three waters, increasing public access to the waters; as well as being supported by staff.

Roll call vote:

Chair Cervenka Yes
Vice Chair Coia Yes
Mr. Hudner Yes
Mr. Gomez Yes
Mr. Sahagian Yes
Mr. Gagnon Yes
Ms. Montanaro Yes
Ms. Reynolds Yes

Application is approved.

8. RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF GROVER J. FUGATE ON HIS 34 YEAR TENURE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

Chair Cervenka introduced a Retirement Video that was shown to all.

There were many congratulatory sentiments and well wishes directed to Mr. Fugate

9. ADJOURN

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn
Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at: 7:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

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