RI Ocean SAMP
The RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is recognized by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration as the national leader in Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) development and implementation. A SAMP is defined under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. § 1452 (Section 303)) as “a comprehensive plan providing for natural resource protection and reasonable coastal-dependent economic growth containing a detailed and comprehensive statement of policies; standards and criteria to guide public and private uses of lands and waters; and mechanisms for timely implementation in specific geographic areas within the coastal zone”. The RI General Assembly has delegated the CRMC as the sole and exclusive manager of the state’s submerged lands, and thus it simplifies the regulatory consultation for developing such plans, an advantage that few other states enjoy.
There has been a surge of interest recently for siting renewable energy projects in the offshore environment. The CRMC has applied water-based zoning since 1983 and is recognized internationally for its work in this area. Planning and zoning for ocean uses in the state’s territorial waters would allow for the proper planning and regulation for renewable energy projects in the offshore environment. The CRMC in partnership with University of Rhode Island scientists and engineers proposes to develop and adopt an Ocean SAMP that will include a provision for renewable energy zones. This plan will include a mapping exercise of existing uses of our ocean waters coupled with mapping for critical zones (transportation corridors, military reserves, essential habitat, etc.). Simultaneously, a screening of sites that have suitable characteristics for renewable energy will also be produced. Additionally, a conflict analysis will be performed to determine which area(s) may be desirable for a more intensive screening exercise. This more detailed screening will confirm that these sites meet the initial selection criteria to a reasonable degree of certainty.
This work will generate a draft zoning map for public review and comment and will involve other state and federal agencies. Concurrent with this work, the CRMC will generate regulatory standards for guiding development and protecting the state’s resources as part of the RI coastal program. With this process the state will have preselected sites that are environmentally and technically sound and most importantly have public and government acceptance. This will increase permitting predictability for renewable energy projects and expedite application review.
Master Schedule
February 2009 – Draft floating zone tool deployed by CRC and adopted by CRMC
February 2010 – Ocean SAMP complete and adopted by CRMC
June 2010 – Permitting completed
Reports & Files
- Ocean SAMP Proposal (PDF)
- Ocean SAMP Offshore Renewable Energy – M. Spaulding, Ph.D. (PDF)
- EBC Rhode Island Chapter Seminar; Wind Energy in Rhode Island: An Update – M. Spaulding, Ph.D.(PDF)
- Ocean Planning – G. Fugate, CRMC Executive Director (PDF)
- RI Winds Report (PDF)
Voice 401-783-3370 • Fax 401-783-3767 • E-Mail cstaff1@crmc.ri.gov
