In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Donald Gomez
Jerry Sahagian
Ronald Gagnon
Patricia Reynolds
Lindsey McGovern
Stephen Izzi

Members Excused:
Catherine Robinson-Hall

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Rich Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Danni Goulet, Marine Infrastructure Coordinator
Mark Hartman, Asst Legal Council
Lisa Turner, Office Manager, Recording Secretary
Cindy Tangney, Court Reporter

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the Tuesday, December 13, 2022 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Mr. Gagnon
Second: Mr. Gomez

Motion carried on a unanimous vote.

3. Subcommittee Reports

None

4. Staff Reports

JMW reported on:

• CRMC, RISAA and URI joint project identifying recreational fishing in Narragansett Bay
• CRMC/Charlestown Dredge of Ninigret Breachway Project completed end of December
• Green Bond Dredging Project – Danni Goulet gave update for the Council

5. Final Extension of Assent Request before the Full Council for Review and Action:

A2011-03-030 EUGENE MASON – Construct renovations and additions to existing single-family dwelling; modify the existing coastal buffer zone as per the approved plans. Located at plat 162, lots 30A; 167 Watch Hill Road, Westerly, RI.

Ms. Miguel explained that the 4th extension requires Council approval and that CRMC Enforcement staff conducts a compliance inspection for every extension request. While performing compliance check on this property, Ms. Miguel found non-compliance issues. Ms. Miguel stated that Mr. Mason has been very cooperative and CRMC is working with Mr. Mason on the addition construction which will involve buffer reestablishment. Ms. Miguel stated that she was confident that there will be no issues with the buffer re-establishment and if there is, the matter can be brought before the Council for enforcement.

Mr. Gomez asked about the project’s timeframe. Ms. Miguel stated she is working with Mr. Mason to complete the project prior to Spring.

Chair Coia confirmed with Ms. Miguel for the approval of the 4th Extension.

Mr. Gomez motioned for the approval of the 4th Extension based on Ms. Miguel’s confirmation of project compliance. Motion seconded by Ms. McGovern.

Roll call vote:
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. McGovern Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Approved on unanimous Roll call vote.

6. Applications which have been out to Public Notice and are before the Full Council for Review and Action:

2022-08-059 QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION -- Construct and maintain a new multipurpose pipe pile supported pier with a precast and cast-in-place deck at Terminal 5 in the Quonset Business park approximately 530 feet south of the existing Pier 1. The proposed pier will extend approximately 1,200 feet from the existing bulkhead and its width varies from 75-feet to 165- feet wide. From the adjacent land the pile supported pier consists of a 75-ft wide x 50-ft long pile supported relieving platform over the bulkhead, a 200-ft long x 75-ft wide section, a 150-ft long x 120-ft wide section and then a 465-ft x 165-ft wide section. Extending 385-ft seaward are 4 – 30-ft x 30-ft mooring dolphins with personnel access catwalks between them. There are fenders and cleats proposed on the pier. The southern side of the pier has 6 19 pile timber clusters proposed with the most seaward cluster being 1,150ft form the bulkhead. Located at plat 193, lot 10; 2574 Davisville Road, North Kingstown, RI.

Mr. Goulet gave a brief overview of the application to the Council explaining that the project met the policy and standards for this water type. Mr. Goulet stated that the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission found no effect on the cultural resources, the Town of North Kingstown sent in a letter stating they had no substantial objection to the project, and the Department of Environmental Management has determined that this proposal does not require a Water Quality Certificate. Mr. Goulet also stated that no objections were received from the 30 day Public Notice. Based on the information stated, Mr. Goulet stated that it was the opinion of staff that the applicant submitted a omplete application which addressed all of the pertinent sections of the Red Book and recommended approval of the project with the typical stipulations for this type of project.

There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition of the application.

There were no questions to Mr. Goulet from Council.

Gregory J Coren, QDC, Igor Runge of GZA were worn in and identified themselves for the record.

The applicant rested on Mr. Goulet’s presentation.

Mr. Gomez asked about the purpose of the pier expansion. Mr. Coren stated that the Port of Davisville, being one of the top 10 automobile import locations in the nation and the industry is expanding. Mr. Coren added that the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was the largest lease holder in the port, and now the wind industry will be a large addition to the port. The Pier is being built in anticipation of the additional activities. Mr. Coren explained that the pier’s shape and location in the port was geared towards being able to accommodate many users at this site. Mr. Coren stated that the construction timeframe was approximately 24 months.

Mr. Coren confirmed that the stipulations as set forth were understood.

There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition of the application.

Mr. Sahagian motioned approval based on staff report, evidence presented and with stipulations as presented by Mr. Goulet.

Motion seconded by Mr. Gagnon

Roll call vote:
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. McGovern Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Approved on unanimous Roll call vote.

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2022-06-032 SAFE HARBOR MARINE ALLEN HARBOR -- Install a negative lift. This negative lift will include a 40ft +/- steel sheet pile bulkhead with a deadman anchoring system and concrete cap, 62ft +/- of cantilevered steel sheet pile bulkhead with a concrete cap, an 1,100ft2 concrete platform, a new 20ft gangway, 950ft2 +/- of new floats, 13 new 12" timber piles, regrading of the shoreline and upland area, and the addition of a vessel well. Located at plat 194, lot 19; 84 Wescott Road, North Kingstown, RI.

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of the project stating the project, in designation Type 3 waters (High Intensity Boating Use), it is staff’s opinion that the project meets the designated use of this type water. Mr. Lucia also stated that it is staff’s opinion that the project meets all the Category B requirements and the standards and policies for shoreline protection. Mr. Lucia further stated that the marina improvements will provide a safer and more efficient operation within the facility with the proposed negative lift. Mr. Lucia explained that there will be an environmental benefit from the increase of the extent of tidal waters by the elimination of the riprap slopes.

Mr. Lucia stated that an Army Corps of Engineers permit was received as well as a letter of no objection from the Town of North Kingstown and no objections were received from the 30 day public notice. Mr. Lucia stated based on staff review there are no staff objections to the project as it is consistent with the designated priority use of the water body.

Mr. Lucia confirmed for Chair Coia that the project did not require a variance or special exception and that no formal objections were received.

There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition of the application.

Attorney Robin Main was present and at the Council’s disposal for Council questions.
Beck Bennett, Safe Harbor Marine, Regional Project Manager and Matthew Rakowski, PE, Project Manager, Race Coastal Engineering were both sworn in and identified themselves for the record.

There were no questions from Council members to staff or applicant.

Ms. Main addressed the Council stating that the Quonset Development Corporation also submitted a letter of support for this project. Ms. Main stated that the project is shovel ready and that Safe Harbor Marina is ready to roll. Ms. Main stated the project will provide significant improvements to recreational amenities at Allen’s Harbor.

Mr. Lucia confirmed for Mr. Sahagian that the recommended stipulations would be the CRMC typical stipulations for this type of project.

Mr. Sahagian motioned to approve the application based on the findings of fact and the staff report. Mr. Gomez seconded the motion.

Roll call vote:
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. McGovern Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Approved on unanimous Roll call vote.

7. Enforcement Action before the Full Council for Review and Action on Order to Restore

22-0089 NOAH GABRIEL -- Unauthorized alterations of a freshwater wetland, as well as unauthorized filling and clearing of vegetation within a contiguous freshwater wetland at your property located at Plat Y-3, Lot 186, Daytona Avenue, Narragansett without benefit of a CRMC assent.

Mr. Willis stated that conversations had been ongoing with Mr. Gabriel; however, due to the issue CRMC is having with Gmail addresses, Mr. Gabriel’s response to CRMC was not received by us until yesterday (Mon, Jan 10, 2023). This application will be rescheduled to one of the February meetings for proper notification.

8. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn carried on unanimous vote

Motion: Mr. Sahagian
Second: Ms. Reynolds

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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