In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

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

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Mark Hartmann, Asst Legal Counsel
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary
Ryan Moore, 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 – February 27, 2024

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Mr. Gomez
Second: Mr. Russolino
Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote with Mr. Flynn abstaining.

3. Subcommittee Reports

None were heard.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis thanked the RISWA association for hosting the Annual Saltwater Fishing Show. Mr. Willis stated that CRMC had a successful showing at the Fishing show.

5. Educational Series: RI Recreational Fishing Task

Mr. Willis introduced the educational presentation stating the CRMC, URI and RISWAA participated in this Recreational Fishing Tool which was proposed directly from work with aquaculture project and offshore wind. Mr. Willis explained that when we as a regulatory program have applications that have to balance the uses in a particular area, we can now have a pretty good idea on the recreational fishing side of the equation- where it occurs in Rhode Island and to what extent.

Mr. Willis introduced CRMC’s partners at URI who then made a presentation about the new Recreational Fishing Tool which will assess quantitatively to see what recreational fishing occurs in RI and to what extent.

• Abbey Greene, URI Coastal Resources Center
• Chris Damon, URI Environmental Data Center
• Rob Hudson, URI Coastal Resources Center, RI Sea Grant
• Scott Travers, Executive Director of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association.

See Power Point Presentation at end.

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

2024-01-061 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT – Replace existing Pier F within the Port of Galilee. Located at 270 Great Island Road, Narragansett, RI – plat I-G, lot 204-DS

Mr. Gagnon recused himself.

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of the project stating that the proposed facility – Pier F - would be placed directly in the footprint of the recently demolished dock. Mr. Lucia explained that the proposed dock would be 99 feet long, 24 feet wide with a total width of 26 feet when the new fender system is included in the dimensions. The dock would be elevated to match the grade of the bulkhead at elevation 5.21 feet as well as to meet sea level rise and to provide elevation for future storm events.

Mr. Lucia stated that it was the CRMC staff’s opinion that the project met CRMC programmatic and Category B requirements and that staff recommended approval with one additional stipulation that a structural perimeter limit be established and shown on a submitted plan for CRMC approval.

The Council had no questions for staff at this time.

Todd Turcotte, Senior Vice President with the Waterfront Group at Pare Corporation was present to represent the RI Department of Environmental Management.

Mr. Turcotte was sworn in and identified himself for the record.

Mr. Lucia confirmed for Mr. Turcotte that a structural perimeter limit is required for each time a pier is replaced and the limit must be 10 feet off the structure.

No questions of applicant by the Council

No one present to speak for or against the application.

Ms. Hall motioned for the approval of the application based on testimony of staff and the applicant, the staff report, as well as submissions made to CRMC and with the addition of SPL beyond the existing structure shown on plan and approved by CRMC prior to construction. Mr. Flynn seconded the motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Ms. Hart Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried unanimously. Application approved.

2023-10-090 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION – RI Bridge #292 (Nonquit Pond Bridge) will be removed and replaced by a new bridge comprised of a NEXT D prestressed concrete beam superstructure with bituminous wearing surface, concrete abutments, and steel micropiles drilled into bedrock. The proposed bridge will be widened by 8.5 feet (out to out) to address current safety hazards for pedestrians and emergency vehicles. Proposed abutments will be located behind the existing abutments, which will be cut down and the lower portion to remain as scour protection. In-water work is limited to control of water and dewatering around the substructure during demolition and repairs. A small area of unvegetated salt marsh (approx. 10 square feet) will be temporarily impacted during dewatering, however saltmarsh plantings are proposed within the area to mitigate for temporary impacts. Located on Pond Bridge Road, Tiverton, RI.

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of the application stating that the bridge is located at Almy Creek and Nonquit Pond and will increase the impervious surface area because the bridge is going to be wider to provide safer pedestrian traffic by adding sidewalks. Mr. Lucia stated that while complete treatment of water quality is not being met, staff has no objection to the granting of the variance because of site constraints – wetlands are close and coastal features next to the bridge. Mr. Lucia stated that one comment was received during the notice period about elimination of parking on the southwest side of the bridge but Mr. Lucia stated that the project would not eliminate the parking which shall remain for emergency vehicles and parking.

Mr. Lucia stated that the project met all programmatic and category B requirements and staff recommended approval of the project.

Mr. Lucia confirmed for Mr. Gomez that there was a timeframe for construction based on the herring run.

No further questions from the Council for staff.

Jon C. Fontana from RIDOT was sworn in and identified himself for the record. Mr. Fontana agreed with Mr. Lucia’s description of the project.

No questions from the Council to the applicant.

No public comment was heard.

Mr. Gomez motioned for approval based on the staff report, findings of fact, and the discussion on the stipulation of a time of year to avoid the herring runs. Mr. Gomez also included in his motion the approval of the variance requested within the application. Mr. Izzi seconded the motion.

No discussion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:

Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Ms. Hart Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried unanimously. Application approved.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:

Motion: Mr. Flynn
Second: Ms. Hall

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned 6:50 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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