In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Ronald Gagnon, DEM
Don Gomez
Patricia Reynolds
Catherine Robinson Hall
Stephen Izzi
Kevin Flynn
Joseph Russolino

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Leah Feldman, Coastal Policy Analyst
Laura Dwyer, Public Educator & Information Coordinator
Emily Hall, Coastal Geologist
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Mark Hartmann, Asst Legal Counsel
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary
Justin Skenyon, IT
Cynthia Tangney, Court Reporter

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

2. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting – January 9, 2024

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the Tuesday, January 09, 2024 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Mr. Flynn
Second: Ms. Reynolds
Motion carried on unanimous vote.

3. Subcommittee Reports

Mr. Willis gave an update on the ROW Subcommittee meeting where the Subcommittee heard status updates on Spring Avenue, Westerly and Buttonwoods, Warwick.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis updated the Council on the following:

• Winter Storm Staff updates on the erosive situation on the South Shore – Westerly and Narragansett
• Dunes Club – Narragansett – structure compromised by the storm- working with Dunes club how to best
  manage that situation for public health and safety.

Chair Coia thanked Mr. Willis for the staff’s quick attention and responses to circumstances occurring during and after the storm events.

Mr. Willis and Ms. E. Hall, CRMC’s Coastal Geologist gave a brief Coastal Geology 101 stating that the beach and ocean has a natural cycle and that the agency is asking property owners to give the natural resources a chance as the beach will begin expand through it’s own natural accretion cycle.

Mr. Willis explained that in many areas, structural shoreline protection is not an option; however, moving the structures further from the coastal feature or raising the structure higher are most definitely options.

5. Educational Series

• The Future of the CRMC Public Access Program
• Shoreline Lateral Access Act

Mr. Willis introduced to the Council CRMC Staff members Laura Dwyer, Public Educator & Information Coordinator, and Leah Feldman, Coastal Policy Analyst explaining that Ms. Dwyer and Ms. Feldman had been working together to further our educational efforts for signs to be purchased by CRMC through a 25,000 addition to CRMC’s operating budget. Mr. Willis stated that CRMC has been looking at the public access program holistically for the past 5-10 years and with the most recent shoreline access legislation, CRMC is trying to provide easily recognized signage and documentation for the public to understand the new regulation is trying to accomplish.

The Future of the CRMC Public Access Program

• Laura Dwyer – CRMC Public Educator & Information Coordinator

Ms. Dwyer began her presentation by giving background of the impetus for the submittal of the documentation to obtain the Project of Special Merit grant ($250k) through funding from NOAA. Ms. Dwyer stated that the Covid Crisis exposed a need for education on the CRMC public access program which prompted CRMC and RI Sea Grant to create a comprehensive plan for the next 5 years for a Public Access and ROW program.

Ms. Dwyer explained that through an assessment survey of the general public in Rhode Island, the agencies would be able to understand the picture of shoreline use, public access needs and where people were looking for information.

Presentation (PDF)

Shoreline Lateral Access Act

• Leah Feldman, Coastal Policy Analyst

Ms. Feldman began her presentation with by introducing the Shoreline Access Bill S-0417 Sub A – The Development & Implementation of the Expanded Shoreline Access Law which was adopted by the General Assembly in 2023. Ms. Feldman further explained perpendicular access and lateral access to the shore stating that perpendicular access is a straight line into the water and lateral access is walking along the shore and what the public can do once at the water. Ms. Feldman informed the Council about the educational public workshops and webinars held to educate the public as well as waterfront property owners.

Presentation (PDF)

Staff and Council discussed many ways of promoting public access and educating Rhode Island residents as well as vacationers about the ins and outs of shoreline access. Ms. Feldman confirmed that CRMC would be working with communities regarding parking near access spots as well as working to open access areas that may have been obstructed over the years.

Mr. Willis thanked Ms. Dwyer and Ms. Feldman.

Mr. Willis explained to the Council that the Educational Series for the Council would be continuing in March with the Recreational Fishing Survey Task.

6. Executive Session pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2), litigation; report on status of pending litigation matters.

Mr. Flynn motioned to go into Executive Session.
Ms. K. Hall seconded the motion.

Chair Coia polled the Council:
Mr. Russolino Aye
Ms. Hall Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on a roll call vote.

Council went into Executive Session at 7:15 p.m.

Legal Counsel gave overview of litigation.

Motion to come back in at 8:00
PR second

Chair Coia polled the Council:
Mr. Russolino Aye
Ms. Hall Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on a roll call vote.

Motion to Seal the Executive Session Minutes.

Motion: Mr. Izzi
Second: Mr. Russolino
Unanimous voice vote

There were no votes taken during the Executive Session as only a report was given.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:

Motion: Mr. Flynn
Second: Mr. Izzi

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned 8:05 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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