Statement from RI CRMC on NOAA sea level rise report

The CRMC has been planning for sea level rise in Rhode Island for many years, and has been utilizing NOAA et al.’s 2017 "high curve" projections to inform our coastal policies and planning efforts.

The CRMC, in partnership with URI, developed STORMTOOLS to show people how their property might be impacted by different sea level rise scenarios. CRMC developed the Coastal Hazard Application to require coastal permit applicants complete an assessment of the exposure and risk to their property or structure resulting from storm surge and sea level rise, both now and in the future. These findings related to storm risk and sea level rise implications for properties in Rhode Island are included as part of permit approval and recorded in land evidence records.

While the 2022 NOAA high curve projections appear to have decreased for 2050 (see REPORT), there is far more certainty with these future sea level rise projections based on multiple lines of evidence, and the CRMC and RI must remain vigilant in its planning for coastal adaption and resiliency.