Greenwich Bay provides vital shellfish habitat, shoreline access, boating opportunities, scenic views, and historic significance to the citizens of Rhode Island. Pollution from stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, and over-development threatens the water quality needed to support those uses. Residents, marinas, yacht clubs, shellfishing operations, restaurants, and other commercial enterprises depend on a healthy Greenwich Bay.

A productive estuary taxed by pollution, Greenwich Bay has been the subject of significant attempts to address water quality and other issues. Research done as part of the Greenwich Bay Initiative has identified sources of pollution and analyzed the physical processes taking place in the bay. Continued water quality issues and a desire to expand on the efforts of the Greenwich Bay Initiative led to a call for a Greenwich Bay Special Area Management Plan (SAMP).

The Coastal Resources Management Council is coordinating with Warwick, East Greenwich, government agencies, and community organizations to prepare the Greenwich Bay Special Area Management Plan. The SAMP is built on government cooperation and community participation. It is adopted into state and local law and recommends policies and actions that government can undertake to protect a complex natural resource that is part of a larger watershed ecosystem. The SAMP provides several mechanisms to coordinate separate governmental bodies, with its overall goal to promote effective coordination among the management authorities within the watershed. The SAMP will describe the present status of the bay, characterize its watershed, identify sources of pollution, and recommend steps to help government work with communities to restore, protect, and balance uses of Greenwich Bay for this and future generations.

Greenwich Bay SAMP: 650-RICR-20-00-6

Please see Appendices C and D below for high resolution maps and figures for viewing and/or downloading.

Appendix C

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GSA_Urban_Mapping_Denver_04.jpg

Appendix D

GBAY_Benthic_Geologic_Hab_10k.jpg
GBAY_Benthic_Geologic_Hab.jpg
GBAY_Sidescan_Mosaic_10k.jpg
Shepard_Grainsize.jpg

GB Side-Scan Enhanced Images

Benthic_Geologic_Habitats_FigCaps.doc
FIG1A_Qtrails.jpg
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FIG2A_Dpsa_Bfbsi.jpg
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FIG3_Bcsio_Patches.jpg
FIG4A_BWoodsCove_VegFlatFtd.jpg
FIG4_Aerial_BWoodsCove_Enhanced.jpg
FIG4B_BWoodsCove_VegFlatFtdInset.jpg
FIG5A_Ob_Wreck_Scaled.jpg
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FIG6_Aerial_SallyRock_Enhanced.jpg
FIG6_SallyRock_Boulders.jpg
FIG7_GMooring_Drags.jpg
FIG8A_Marina_Debris1.jpg
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FIG9_GDpsa-Waveformed_Bars.jpg
FIG9_Aerial_Potowomut_Enhanced.jpg
FIG10_TidalformsInset.jpg

Apponaug Cove

Warwick Cove

Guide to CRMC-Designated Rights-of-Way to Greenwich Bay (PDF)

For more information on rights-of-way visit our Rights-Of-Way and Public Access section.

T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - Federal Consistency Public Notice (PDF)

RI Airport Corporation consistency certification (PDF)

Army Corps Section 404 permit application (PDF)

RIDEM/RIAC Consent Agreement re: RIPDES stormwater discharge permit (PDF)

CRMC Staff Findings and Recommendation (PDF)

CRMC Response to Public Comments (PDF)

Letter Regarding Consistency Determination for T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program (PDF)

Final Report in Support of Design and Permitting (PDF)

Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (PDF)

Draft Final Report – Sampling and Environmental Testing (PDF)

Final Field Sampling Report – Laboratory Testing in Support of Sampling and Environmental Testing (PDF)

The RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) with the assistance of RI Sea Grant, have completed an evaluation of the Greenwich Bay Special Area Management Plan (GB SAMP) participation process.

Overall, the results show that the level of fairness in the process was good, local citizens had influence, and that trust in CRMC increased over the life of the planning process. Over 90% of respondents agreed that establishment of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) has been beneficial to getting the public effectively involved in the SAMP planning process.

After the results of the first survey, CRMC adapted their participation process to meet the needs of the respondents. Results from the final survey will be used to shape future Greenwich Bay SAMP activities as well as other SAMPs in Rhode Island.

The intent of this survey instrument is to track perceptions of fairness of the participation over time. The survey can be used for future Greenwich Bay SAMP meetings to continue the learning and adapting process.

DEM Greenwich Bay Pathogen/Bacteria TMDL