CRMC issues 2013 ROW report

November 25, 2013, WAKEFIELD – The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has released its 2012-2013 annual report on rights-of-way in the state, “Designation of Public Rights-of-Way to The Tidal Areas of The State.” The report is available online at http://www.crmc.ri.gov/publicaccess/row2013.pdf.

From July 2012 through June 2013, the CRMC continued its ongoing efforts to discover and designate public rights-of-way to the tidal areas of Rhode Island, under its legislative mandate (RIGL 46-23-17). Beginning in 1978, this mandate tasked the Council with identifying and designating all public rights-of-way to the shore. To meet this charge, the CRMC created a Rights-of-Way Subcommittee. The report details actions of the subcommittee, as well as legal proceedings stemming from these activities and subsequent actions of the Council.

While no new rights-of-way were designated during this time period, the Subcommittee was advised on the status and proceedings of issues pertaining to two issues: three potential ROWs in the Town of North Kingstown were completed and ready for public hearings, and that they should be scheduled for consideration as soon as possible; and no appeal was received from the Superior Court decision affirming the CRMC’s designation of High Street as a right-of-way. The CRMC sent an enforcement letter to the owner, and the swing has been removed.

There is now an ArcGIS Online map of all 221 CRMC-designated rights-of-way. This map can be access via the following link: https://crmcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/attachmentviewer/index.html?appid=7f8f263ce81c4e269c4b87a35371f86f

The CRMC also worked with the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) and R.I. Department of Environmental Management to create a “Site-Readiness” program at the business park. The program provides a streamlined and expedited permitting process for the remaining 39 undeveloped parcels within Quonset, and the program includes a public access plan for the entire park.

Additional shoreline access opportunities have been created through the development and approval of the Aquidneck Island Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). Through the SAMP, it is stated that the CRMC will apply, where appropriate, federal Waterfront and Coastal Smart Growth Elements, among which include creation of walkable waterfronts and shoreline communities with visual and physical access to and along the waterfront for public use. Similar to the Metro Bay SAMP, the Aquidneck Island SAMP calls for “coastal greenways” to ease development restrictions through the CRMC’s coastal program.  The first greenway of this SAMP has been established in Portsmouth through a permit to Northern Waterfront Associates to establish a resort community.

Title work for the North Kingstown rights-of-way – Allen Harbor Complex, Wilson Park and Town Wharf – have been completed and the rights-of-way are ready for public hearing, and will be considered as soon as possible.

The CRMC established an Adopt-an-Access Program to form partnerships between the Council, municipalities and private groups or individuals to improve CRMC ROWs. The program works through a memorandum of understanding that establishes each partner’s role. To-date, 14 CRMC rights-of-way have been adopted under the program by a variety of groups and private citizens.

The goal of the CRMC is to designate at least one public right-of-way for each mile of shoreline. With 221 sites designated along 420 miles of Rhode Island shoreline, the Council is more than halfway to its goal. For more information on the CRMC ROW designation process, go to the web site at http://www.crmc.ri.gov/publicaccess.html.