In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Ronald Gagnon, DEM
Don Gomez
Patricia Reynolds
Katherine Hall
Stephen Izzi
Kevin Flynn
Joseph Russolino

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Mark Hartmann, Asst Legal Counsel
Emily Hall, Coastal Geologist
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Amy Silva, Spv Environmental Scientist
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary
Ryan Moore, IT
Cynthia Tangney, Court Reporter

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting – Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Mr. Izzi
Second: Mr. Russolino

Motion carried on unanimous vote.

3. Subcommittee Reports

Mr. Willis updated the Council:

• The Planning and Procedures Subcommittee agreed to begin advanced rulemaking on water type change request as submitted by the Quidnessett Country Club to change from Type 1 to Type 2.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis reported to the Council:

• CRMC Day at State House held last Thursday for shoreline lateral access and recreational fishing tool.
• Fishing Tool has been noticed by states up and down the eastern seaboard and asking how they can duplicate it.
• Meeting on Resilience planning.
• FEMA held meeting at the Quonochontaug Grange where FEMA Reps were there to help deal with storm damage and to explain what can be done after storms or to minimize storm damage. CRMC took all the questions that night.
• NOAA Federal Evaluation Section 312 will be reviewing CRMC this fall.

5. Before the Council for Presentation, Consideration, and Action of Funding under the State’s Coastal and Estuary Habitat Restoration Trust Fund:

The RI Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration Team’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) convened on Friday, May 3, 2024 to rank the eight full proposals submitted to CRMC for consideration of funding under the state’s Coastal and Estuary Habitat Restoration Trust Fund. Of the proposals reviewed for the 2023- 2024 funding cycle, seven are recommended for funding.

Ms. Hall gave a presentation on the explaining the process that the Technical Advisory Committee went through to choose, review and approve the proposals. Ms. Hall explained that 7 projects were submitted and 6 were chosen for funding. Ms. Hall explained that all the projects had matching funding through grants.

Ms. Hall presented the projects recommended for full funding for the Council’s approval.

1. Adaptive Management and Maintenance of Little Mussachuck Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Project ($18,750)
2. Removal of the Rodman Mill Dam, and Associated Site Improvements to Enhance Climate Resiliency on the Annaquatucket River in North Kingstown, Rhode Island ($49,798)
3. Data Collection and Analysis to Support Fish Passage at the Pontiac Dam on the Pawtuxet River ($50,000)
4. Breakheart Pond Dam Removal Feasibility Study ($38,000)
5. Woonasquatucket River Streambank Stabilization – San Souci Drive ($50,000)
6. Underwater Video Collection in Support of Eelgrass Restoration ($18,452)

The project not recommended for funding at this time are:

1. Black Point Shoreline Access Improvements

Mr. Flynn made a motion to approve the projects recommended by the Technical Advisory Committee. Ms. Reynolds seconded the motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:

Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Mr. Gomez added for the record that he commended the work being done on by the Coastal and Estuary Habitat Restoration Trust Fund Technical Advisory Committee.

6. Administrative Applications for Review and Action before the Full Council:

2023-10-104 ALGONQUIN GAS TRANSMISSION LLC – Replace portion of pipeline from Pump Station in Portsmouth to East Main Road in Little Compton. Attorney Joelle Rocha of Duff & Sweeney was present to represent Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC/Enbridge, Inc.

Ms. Silva presented the CRMC staff findings to the Council stating that work would be performed within the utility easement, and where work is outside the easement, sign-offs from property owners were obtained. Ms. Silva stated that in Cotton Swamp and beneath the Sakonnet River directional drilling would be performed.

Ms. Silva explained that, as there were no objections from staff, that the CRMC had conditionally approved the project with a draft Assent until the sign-offs were received from property owners outside of the easement; however, objections to the project were received and the application is now before the Council for review and action. Ms. Silva stated that after reviewing the objections, it was the staff’s opinion that the objection do not rise to substantive objection and that staff had no objections to the Council approving the application.

Council Questions for Ms. Silva:

Ms. Silva confirmed for Mr. Gomez that the objections had been review and that staff do not believe they rise to the level of substantive objections. Ms. Silva stated that the pipelines need an upgrade and that it is the only gas line to Aquidneck Island.

No further questions of Ms. Silva from Council.

Ms. Rocha presented to the Council stating that the pipeline is the only pipeline to Aquidneck Island and that after this process, they would have other permits on the federal level to obtain.

Ms. Rocha introduced Enbridge Team Members to present.

David Butler, Project Manager for Enbridge was sworn in and identified himself for the record. Mr. Butler confirmed that the major purpose of the project is to provide energy to Aquidneck Island, that there would be no increase in service to the Island but to provide reliability of service to the island.

Mr. Butler answered Council questions regarding directional drilling stating that the project’s intent is to drill through solid rock, that there were no conflicts with pipeline and cables. Mr. Butler stated that the cable sites would be the same on the east side but different on the west side.
Ms. Rocha confirmed for Ms. Reynolds that the Aquidneck pipeline is unrelated to the issue in Newport in 2018.

Mr. Butler also stated that the pipeline would not increase capacity but would provide better flow to the island.

Mr. Butler answered Ms. Reynolds about the current pipeline, stating that most of the original pipeline would be kept in place with grouting.

Mr. Flynn expressed concern stating that RI was trying to wean off fossil fuels. Mr. Flynn asked about the option of relining the existing pipeline. Mr. Butler stated that relining the pipeline would reduce the diameter of the 6” pipeline and provide a lower pressure system.

Katelyn Wheeler, Enbridge with a background on environmental surveys, was sworn in and identified herself for the record. Ms. Wheeler stated that all work surveys and consultations were submitted with CRMC package. Ms. Rocha stated that the SWCA report was also included in the application package.

No questions of Ms. Wheeler

Ms. Rocha also stated that a letter in support of the project was sent to FERC from RI Energy which sums up safety and reliability. CRMC was unable to take into evidence due to regulatory requirements.

Public Comment:

Lorraine Savard, Objection – reminded CRMC of their purpose to “preserve, protect, develop, and restore coastal resources for all Rhode Island.”

Dave, Objection – concerned about horizontal directional drilling and the potential for the drilling to cause a frack out. Stated that RI needed clean and renewable energy.

Susan Kelley of Cranston RI – Objection – concerned about welfare of citizens. Enbridge has a history of being less than careful and having issues.

Joel Gates of Gloucester – Objection – Concerned about climate change and this pipeline is counterproductive to RI’s Energy plans.

Justin Boyan of Providence – Objection – Concerned for the environment. Personally switched to electric in household and has electric vehicle.

Peter Trafton of Providence and Little Compton – Objection – concerned about climate change. Greg Gerritt – Objection – concerned about climate change.

Will Nakshian – Cumberland - Objection -- RI needs to end dependence on Fossil Fuels – Make our State a renewable energy leader.

Chris Gadbois – Portsmouth – Objection - Echoed previous speakers and have better accessibility of hearings.

End of Public Comment.

Ms. Rocha addressed the Council stating that Algonquin/Enbridge and the Council were not there to debate the current or future use of fossil fuels. Ms. Rocha stated that fracking was not proposed on this application and that lining of the current pipeline was not feasible and would not meet their purpose. Ms. Rocha asked the Council to approve the application and make the Assent final.

No further questions

Mr. Flynn stated that CRMC had spent countless hours reviewing many types of alternative energy such as Wind Energy. The Council is very cognizant of the issues of needing to shift to renewable energy.
Mr. Gomez stated that the staff report noted that the objections did not rise to the level of substantive objections and talked about his personal use of alternative energies.

Mr. Gomez motioned for approval of the application through of the recommendation of staff and findings of staff report and filings by the applicant and additional staff stipulation as in the Draft Assent.

Mr. Izzi seconded the motion.

Council Discussion.

Mr. Russolino stated that the Council has tremendous amount of respect for the staff that have review this application and would be voting gin favor of the motion to approve the application.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:

Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Application approved with unanimous vote.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:

Motion: Mr. Gomez
Second: Mr. Russolino

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned 7:15 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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