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Marine Resources Development Plan

Marine Resources Development Plan (adopted Jan. 10, 2006) (PDF)

MRDP Implementation 2007 (PDF)

Marine Resources Development Plan Workshop Notice – Friday, Jan. 6, 2:30-4 p.m. (PDF)
Marine Resources Development Plan, Working Version 9/20/05 – Summary (PDF)
Marine Resources Development Plan, Working Version 9/20/05 (PDF)
Marine Resources Development Plan Workshop Notice – Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Marine Resources Development Plan Workshop – Comments (PDF)
CRMC Response to Comments to MRDP Working Version, September 20, 2005 (PDF)

The Marine Resources Development Plan, presented earlier this summer to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council by Kenneth Payne, Rhode Island Senate policy director, was designed to guide the fuller use by the CRMC of its authority under Chapter 46-23 of the Rhode Island general laws and under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

In 1971, the Rhode Island legislature established the CRMC to plan for and manage the state’s coastal resources, and the Council quickly became a national leader in allocating areas of the state’s coastal zone to different uses and then managing development within those areas through permitting. Rhode Island, however, has changed extensively since the CRMC was created, and its management of sensitive coastal areas needs to reflect those changes.

The vision of the MRDP includes properly functioning bay and lagoon ecosystems; abundant and sustained fishing and fisheries resources; successful coastal places; and marine-based economic development. The plan outlines strategies for improving the health and functionality of the state’s marine ecosystem, and for providing appropriate marine-based economic development.

The MRDP lists strategies for CRMC to promote the public’s use and enjoyment of the state’s marine resources, as well as Council program leadership and coordination roles, responsibilities and capabilities. The plan also outlines implementation activities for the next five years.