CRMC welcomes new policy analyst

January 10, 2021, WAKEFIELD – The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) welcomed a new policy analyst, Leah Feldman, who specializes in public access issues, to the staff in December 2020.

Originally from New York City, Feldman has amassed a varied and impressive resume in the years since she graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2019 with her Masters of Marine Affairs, working as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) coastal fellow for New York State, serving as a research assistant within the URI Department of Marine Affairs, and the Waterfront Alliance, and City Parks Foundation for the State of New York.

Feldman’s love for coastal policy grew from her time with the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program, which she completed in 2013 while attended Colgate University for English literature and environmental studies (in which she received her undergraduate degree). She spend two weeks aboard the tall ship R.V. Corwith Cramer performing hydrological research, where she was, “fortunate enough to learn about the world of coastal policy, as well as maritime literature, history, and ecology.”

While working as a coastal management fellow within the New York State’s Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure, Feldman collaborated with the Great Lakes team to develop a community engagement and outreach strategy and plan focused on guiding residents to create scenario planning tools to help visualize a more resilient future for Lake Ontario’s shoreline.

Rhode Island and its coastal program quickly sunk its hooks into Feldman, however. Her thesis work was nurtured by her years of sailing experience; “Coastal Zone Access in Newport, Rhode Island; The Impacts of the Pell School Sailing Program on Access, Place-Based Learning and Environmental Awareness” examined how people’s (in this case, adolescents) attitudes pertaining to the coast change when they feel like they belong there, and have pride of ownership. And while at URI, she learned about Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Program by way of a talk given by CRMC’s former executive director:

“Grover (Fugate) highlighted the wind team working at CRMC, and the expertise they brought to the international stage of offshore wind,” Feldman said. “It struck me that Rhode Island is a state that ‘punches above its weight’ in terms of size and impact.”

Now that she’s settling into her new role at the CRMC, Feldman said she’ll be focusing on what she does best: coastal access.

“The CRMC is responsible for designating public rights-of-way to the shoreline, which is a topic I am very passionate about,” she said. “My graduate thesis work focused on the environmental justice elements of coastal access in Rhode Island, and I am very excited to continue working on this topic to ensure Rhode Island is a leader in access to the coast for all Rhode Islanders. Additionally, I am really excited to work on Rhode Island’s coastal resilience efforts and ensuring natural and nature-based shorelines continue to get the attention they deserve in the fight against sea level rise.”

Feldman said she envisions a public access program that is inclusive, innovative and representative, and one that takes advantage of the state’s small size and the opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

“Rhode Island’s coastline is held in the Public Trust for the people of Rhode Island, and this indelible right must be protected and upheld,” she said. “I am excited to ensure the people of Rhode Island feel heard and respected in their efforts to enjoy the reason many of us are here; our magnificent coastline.”