In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. utilizing the Zoom Platform and Council members participating remotely.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Donald Gomez
Ronald Gagnon, RIDEM
Trish Reynolds
Joy Montanaro
Lindsay McGovern

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
James Boyd, Deputy Director
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Mark Hartman, Asst Legal Council
Leah Feldman, Coastal Policy Analyst
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. The record will show staff present. The Chair stated that the meeting would be recorded. Mr. Moore briefed the participants regarding Zoom protocols.

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the January 25, 2022 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Ms. Reynolds
Second: Mr. Gagnon

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

Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote to approve the minutes from January 25, 2022 meeting.

3. Subcommittee Reports

Mr. Boyd updated the Council on: P&P Sub to meet 9:00 a.m. via Zoom – agenda packet will be forwarded to subcommittee members prior to meeting.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis updated the Council on:

• Kevin Sloan, CRMC Coastal Policy Analyst, introduced as new employee of CRMC
• House committee on access – Legislation to be introduced using the Rack line (line of seaweed) as the
  definable feature for lateral/public access
• ACOE Dredge Project of the Providence Shipping Channel -- Cost Share doubled – delayed to 25-26
• Bay SAMP – Aquaculture Process
• Notification within 1000’ radius of the proposed farm
• More information submitted as to what activities are generated in the area of the farm
• RI Salt Water Anglers show scheduled for this weekend and CRMC will be manning a booth

5. COASTAL HABITAT RESTORATION TRUST FUND APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW AND DECISION:

The RI Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration Team’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) convened on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 to rank the 5 full proposals submitted to CRMC for consideration of funding under the state’s Coastal and Estuary Habitat Restoration Trust Fund. Of the proposals reviewed for the 2021-2022 funding cycle, five are recommended for funding.

The projects recommended for full funding are:

1. Ten Mile River Reservation Dam Removal Assessment ($50,000)
2. Woonasquatucket River Streambank Stabilization: San Souci Drive ($50,000)
3. Salt marsh restoration and adaptation at Fogland Point, the Haile Preserve on the Palmer River and Canonchet marsh on the Narrow River ($50,000)

The projects recommended for partial funding are:

1. Norman Bird Sanctuary Habitat Restoration: Invasive Removal and Native Planting ($25,000)
2. Improving Fish Passage on the Saugatucket River ($50,000)

In addition, the committee has created a contingency list of projects to be funded in the event that a project recommended for funding is unable to go forward or the requested funds are not needed due to unforeseen circumstances.

2021-2022 Contingency List:

1. Remainder of requested funds for Improving Fish Passage on the Saugatucket River ($20,000)

Present are Leah Feldman and Caitlin Chaffee as Co-Chairs of the Technical Advisory Committee.

Ms. Chaffee gave a brief background about the Coastal Estuarine Habitats Committee and a bit history of the funding stating that it is the 19th year administering the funds, that $250,000 are allocated annually to projects and finally that, to date, $3.9 million dollars has been granted for projects as well with $30 million dollars in matching funds being levied.

Ms. Chaffee explained the projects while using a map provided to the Council members to show the geographic distribution of the projects.

Mr. Gomez commended the Committee and asked Ms. Chaffee about projects in Tiverton and Little Compton specifically about multiflora rosa and why it is being removed/replaced. Ms. Chaffee stated that mult-flora rosa is an invasive species and that the plant and root system can overtake an area. Ms. Chaffee explained that the replacement will be rosa virgiana which does not create dense monocultures and crowd out other flora.

Mr. Gomez asked about the runnels helping with Sea Level Rise. Ms. Chaffee explained that runnels are very shallow trapezoidal or triangular creeks dug by hand or low ground pressure equipment to remove surface water in marshes so that ground vegetation can regrow.

Mr. Gomez asked about Fogland Point and its rating of being in the upper 25% of salt marshes. Ms. Chaffee stated that is it among the more vulnerable marshes.

Ms. McGovern asked about the timing of fund distribution. Ms. Chaffee stated that if the Council issues and approval at this meeting, applicants will be notified immediately, and, hopefully, funding will be distributed quickly but definitely by end of June.

Mr. Gomez motioned to approve as related to proposed recommendations.
Ms. Reynolds seconded the motion.

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

6. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROGRAM CHANGES:

REPEAL of the current CRMC Rules and Regulations Governing the Protection and Management of Freshwater Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast at 650-RICR-20-00-2 to be effective on July 1, 2022, which is the same date that the newly adopted CRMC freshwater wetland rules at 650-RICR-20-00-9 will be effective.

Mr. DeSisto confirmed for Chair Coia that a Public Hearing does not need to be opened. No action by the Council until after the public notice period ends.

Mr. Boyd gave brief overview of regulatory repeal process stating that the new regulations will be effective on July 1 at which time the old regulations will no longer be needed.

Mr. Boyd confirmed that the Public Notice period would end on March 24, 2022. There were no questions from Council.

Formal part of the Agenda is concluded.

7. Request for an Executive Session pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-5 (a)(2) Personnel matters - The employee has been notified.

Motion to go into Executive Session.
Motion: Mr. Gagnon
Second: Ms. McGovern

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

Motion to come out of Executive Session.
Motion: Mr. Gomez
Second: Ms. Reynolds

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

Motion to seal the minutes of the Executive Session.
Motion: Mr. Gagnon
Second: Ms. Reynolds

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

Motion to have Legal Counsel to act in accordance to direction of the Council as discussed
Motion: Mr. Gomez
Second: Ms. McGovern

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

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn carried on unanimous vote

Motion: Ms. Reynolds
Second: Ms. Montanaro

Unanimous voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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