In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. utilizing the Zoom Platform and Council members participating remotely.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Donald Gomez
Jerry Sahagian
Ronald Gagnon, RIDEM
Trish Reynolds
Joy Montanaro

Excused
Lindsay McGovern

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
James Boyd, Deputy Director
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Laura Dwyer, Public Information and Education Coordinator
Lisa Turner, Office Manager, Recording Secretary
Cindy Tangney, Court Reporter

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and identified the participants of the meeting, Council Members, Staff members, and applicants. The Chair stated that the meeting would be recorded. Mr. Moore briefed the participants regarding Zoom etiquette.

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the November 23, 2021 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Mr. Sahagian
Second: Ms. Reynolds

Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote to approve the minutes from November 23, 2021 meeting.

3. Subcommittee Reports

Mr. Boyd updated the Council on:

• Planning and Procedures Sub of the Council will be meeting 1/18/2022 at 9:00
  • Discuss administrative fine
• ROW Subcommittee meeting 01-25-2022
  • Update on various ROW investigations to date

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis updated the Council on:

• Aquaculture Extension – 10 year lease for farm in Narr Bay
• New CRMC staff members:
  • Enforcement, Environmental Scientist, compliance
  • Sr Environmental Scientist
  • Coastal Policy Analyst – interviewed
  • Coastal Geologist still open
• Mr. Willis will be representing CRMC at Governors RI Ready Program tomorrow
• Offshore Wind Development:
  • Revolution (Orsted) Wind Farm - Decision by December 2022
    • Cat B (cable) review in-prep
  • Sunrise (Orsted) - Decision by March 2023
• Soon Under Review:
  • Mayflower (Export Cable into Sakonnet to Brayton) CC expected Q1 2022
  • NE Wind (Wind Farm) CC expected Q1 2022
• Calendar Year 2022
  • Liberty Wind (VW) outside GLD but export cable route unknown
  • Beacon Wind (Equinor) outside GLD but export cable route unknown

5. COUNCIL REVIEW and ACTION ON PROPOSED RULEMAKING:

CRMC Rules and Regulations Governing the Protection and Management of Freshwater Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast (650-RICR-20-00-9).

The CRMC proposes to adopt new freshwater wetlands in the vicinity of the coast rules in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 46-23-6 and 2-1-18 through 2-1-20.1 to strengthen the protection of freshwater wetlands in the vicinity of the coast and to provide clarity, predictability and streamlining of the regulatory framework. These new rules will replace the CRMC’s existing freshwater wetland rules (650-RICR-20-00-2), which will be repealed upon adoption and implementation of these new rules. The CRMC has closely coordinated with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) on the development of these new freshwater wetland rules for consistency of rule application throughout the state as required by state law. The CRMC and DEM regulations for freshwater wetland protection, including the new buffer standards are identical with the exception of some necessary differences to reflect the specific CRMC and DEM regulatory procedures and authorities as prescribed in state law. The CRMC is proposing adoption and implementation of these rules to be consistent with the effective date of the DEM freshwater wetland rules on July 1, 2022.

Mr. Sahagian addressed the Council thanking the Council for allowing extra time for him to review the regulation and that he is satisfied with his review.

Both Chair Coia and Mr. DeSisto agreed that the previous staff presentation was adequate and that an additional presentation would not be necessary at this time.

Mr. Sahagian motioned for the approval of the regulations. Ms. Reynolds seconded.

No further discussion.

Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion to approve FWW regulatory changes carried on unanimous roll call vote.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn carried on unanimous vote

Motion: Ms. Reynolds
Second: Mr. Gagnon

Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

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