In accordance with notice of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council’s Planning & Procedures subcommittee, a meeting was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. utilizing the Zoom Platform. All members, staff and participants were present on Zoom.

MEMBERS PRESENT
Raymond Coia, Chair
Donald Gomez
Patricia Reynolds
Ron Gagnon

STAFF PRESENT
Jeff Willis, Executive Director
James Boyd, Deputy Director
Kevin Sloan, Coastal Policy Analyst
Benjamin Goetsch, Aquaculture Coordinator
Mark Hartman, Legal Counsel

Call to Order.Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.

Chair Coia asked for a motion to accept the minutes of the January 18, 2022 subcommittee meeting. Mr. Gagnon seconded by Mr. Gomez moved such and the meeting minutes passed unanimously with Ms. Reynolds abstaining.

Item 4.A – Management Procedures 650-RICR-10-00-1.5.12 – Permit Extensions. J. Boyd explained the purpose of the proposed amendment, primarily the need to ensure there is consistency across the permitting programs and existing procedures regarding permit extensions.

J. Boyd explained the current permit extension regulation is not consistent with the new CRMC Freshwater Wetland regulations at 650-RICR-20-00-9.14.2(D) or CRMC Assent stipulations requiring the filing of a permit extension request at least 60 days prior to the permit expiration. Ms. Reynolds asked whether an issued permit states a permit extension should be filed 60 days prior to expiration because 30 days is more typical. J. Boyd explained an Assent issuing a permit states that if a permit holder needs and extension, they must request the extension at least 60 days prior to the permit’s expiration. Mr. Gagnon asked whether there is flexibility to accommodate permit holders who miss the 60 day deadline. J. Willis explained that in the past, CRMC has been generous and if a permit holder submits their extension request before the expiration, CRMC will typically accommodate.

Ms. Reynolds seconded by Mr. Gomez moved to approve the proposed programmatic revisions as presented and begin the rule-making process. All voted in favor of the motion.

Item 6 – New Business – Red Book 650-RICR-20-00-1 – proposed revisions. J. Boyd explained a comprehensive set of revisions to the Red Book has been underway and is undergoing internal staff review. No set date was given as to when the revisions would come before the Subcommittee or whether some or all revisions would be brought at once. Ms. Reynolds asked if there were pages of deletions or pages of additions. J. Boyd explained the revisions were a combination of deleting language that was superseded by other sections while amending and adding some new language.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. Gagnon, seconded by Mr. Gomez, moved to adjourn. All voted in favor of the motion and the meeting was adjourned.

CALENDAR INDEX