Greenwich Bay Citizens Advisory Committee receives conservation award

June 28, 2005, WARWICK— In recognition of their work on the RI Coastal Resources Management Council’s Greenwich Bay Special Area Management Plan, the members of the Greenwich Bay Citizens Advisory Committee were chosen to receive the American Fisheries Society Southern New England Chapter’s Aquatic Conservation Award.

The award, which was presented to the CAC on June 14 at a special ceremony, is given to a group that has made a significant contribution to conservation in the aquatic environment. It is not presented annually, but only when the SNEC board of directors feels it has a well-qualified candidate. The conservation award was given to the committee, and in turn the CAC presented the plaque to Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian on June 17, in memory of the late Leah Robinson. The award will be hung in Warwick City Hall.

The Citizens Advisory Committee is represented by several member groups:

• Buttonwoods Bay Committee – Richard Langseth
• Buttonwoods Garden Club – Karen Way
• Cedar Tree Point Association – Carol Fritz
• Chepiwanoxet Neighbor Association – David Robinson, Neil Ross
• Defenders of Greenwich Bay – Catherine Murphy, Jack Early
• East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce – Jerry Meyer
• RI Marine Trades Association – John Williams, Chris Ruhling
• RI Shellfishermen’s Association – Bill Bergen, Mike McGiveney
• RI Saltwater Anglers – Steve Medeiros
• Warwick Marina Alliance – Ron Bethel
• Warwick Watershed Action Team – Donna Travis

While Buckeye Brook Coalition chose not to pursue membership because it is outside the watershed, director Steve Insana was an active participant in the SAMP process.
Including a Citizens Advisory Committee in the SAMP development process provided a voice for the public, and strived to strike a balance between the environmentalists and the users of Greenwich Bay, according to John Williams, of the RI Marine Trades Association and a CAC member.

“The Council congratulates the members of the Citizens Advisory Committee on receiving this award,” said CRMC Chairman Michael M. Tikoian. “Their involvement in the Greenwich Bay Special Area Management Plan process was crucial to its development, and to creating a well-rounded group of participants during the past two years. This only confirms the important role the public, citizen and neighborhood groups have in the CRMC process.”

Some previous local winners include Save The Bay and the Narrow River Preservation Association. The plaque was presented at the society’s annual spring meeting at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Photographs of the award recipients will be published in the American Fisheries Society Monthly fisheries magazine and will be posted on the chapter’s web site, www.SNEC-fisheries.org.

The CRMC is working in partnership with Rhode Island Sea Grant and the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center on the Greenwich Bay SAMP.