In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 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
Patricial Reynolds
Stephen Izzi
Joseph Russolino
Michael Reuter, DPM

Staff Present
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Benjamin Goetsch, Aquaculture Coordinator
Anthony DeSisto Legal Counsel
Mark Hartman, Assoc Legal Counsel
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary
Ryan Moore, IT

 

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Introduction of Michael Reuter

3. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting – February 11

Motion: Mr. Russolino
Second: Mr. Izzi
Motion carried. Dr. Reuter abstained.

4. Staff Reports

Ms. Miguel informed the Council of the following:

• Mr. Willis is DC attending CSO meeting NOAA meeting
• FAB reformed and met on 03/06/2025 – ratification next meeting
• Dunes Club – structure removed as required. Dune and vegetation restored at that site.

5. Subcommittee Reports

ROW Subcommittee met on 03/11/2025 and heard:

• Spring Avenue Extension ROW Matter, Buttonwoods ROW matter and Everett Avenue ROW matter
• All three will return to the Subcommittee on April 8, 2025.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye

5. Applications which have been Out-To-Notice and are before the Council for Review and Action:

2024-07-016 KYLE REICHMAN – Establish a three-acre shellfish aquaculture farm consisting of low-profile floating baskets, suspended lantern nets, and bottom cages for the cultivation of eastern oysters and bay scallops. Located in Dutch Island Harbor, Jamestown, RI.

Kyle Reichman was sworn in and identified himself for the record.

Mr. Goetsch addressed the Council and gave the following information:

• Category B application review for a 3-acre site 900’ off western shore of Jamestown Dutch Island area.
• To grow Eastern oysters and Bay scallops using new lower profile, floating gear.
• Application went through standard review process with the applicant going above and beyond within the process.
• The site was proven to be a good site which supported 6 different farms.
• The application was vetted through the Town of Jamestown and the Jamestown Aquaculture working group
• The process included a preliminary determination application which was submitted after the Jamestown working group meeting. The application went smoothly.
• There was an additional meeting with area growers within 1000 feet of proposed area
• Harbor Commission expressed concerns about potential impacts to navigation
• Site would be tucked behind another aquaculture farm and would not protrude into harbor area
• PD meeting was successful with members of the public ok with location of farm.
• The application went out to Public Notice with input from RIDEM Fisheries and Marine Fisheries Commission – both assessments positive.
• Received US Army Corps of Engineers authorization through 2022 General Permit
• RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission signed off on the site.
• Would normally meet administrative review/approval
• Received on objection from Jamestown Resident – comment centered on overfarming of the area.
• Mr. Goetsch mentioned that he had been in conversations with the US Coast Guard and the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding Aquaculture being in the General Permit of 2025.
• Mr. Goetsch stated that the Coast Guard wants to chart aquaculture lease areas requiring the farm owners to register points on the water. High flying radar reflectors would be required and would be good for the site.
• Staff recommendation is for approval with standard aquaculture stipulations and two additional stipulations:
  • Two offshore corners of the lease have CG buoys.
  • Implementation of a performance bond.

Mr. Goetsch confirmed for Mr. Izzi that the site would be 900 feet from the shoreline, other lease sites in this area would be entertained and gear would be sunk to the bottom in the winter.

No further questions.

Mr. Reichman addressed the Council and stated that he agreed with Mr. Goetsch on all points. Mr. Reichman stated that he intended to work on the farm all year round so he could monitor his gear for potential issues. He would even harvest in the winter.

No one present for public comment.

Mr. Russolino motioned to approve the application subject to specific staff stipulations, with 20K performance bond, and markings to register for navigational purposes.

Mr. Izzi seconded the motion.

No discussion on motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Abstain
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried. Application approved.

6. Application requesting Special Exception before the Council for Review and Action:

2024-09-029 TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM -- To expand the existing stone revetment system further up the slope of the town’s existing landfill to an elevation of 18.0 ft. This portion of the slope is currently grass covered. This extent and height of revetment was originally approved by CRMC per Assent 2016-02-090 which included a special exception. Due to funding issues the Town was not able to complete the entire revetment project and only constructed the toe portion of the revetment located along the base of the slope which extends up to about elevation 10.0 ft. A CRMC Assent modification was obtained to reflect this work scope change. The intent of this project is to expand the stone revetment to the limits originally approved by CRMC. The project requires a Special Exception pursuant to RICRMP 650-RICR-20-00-1 (red book) Section § 1.3.1.G.3.a, which prohibits the construction of structural shoreline protection bordering Type 1 waters. Located at plat 2, lots 39, 40, 48-1; 14 West Beach Road, New Shoreham, RI.

Sworn in and Identified for the record:
James Geremia, Town Engineer
Robert Fairbanks PE, Consultant

Mr. Lucia addressed the Council and gave the following information:

• The application was submitted to further protect the existing landfill from erosion by utilizing the same process applied for and approved in 2016 which was modified due to funding constraints.
• No staff objections to the original approval, the modification, or the granting of a special exception for shoreline protection next to Type 1 waters.
• No objections received to the granting of the Special Exception for this application as it provides compelling public purposes.
• Recommended stipulations included in report and made available for the Council’s review. The Town does not object to the stipulations.
• A remediation plan needs to be submitted for significant erosion rate.
• Public access pathway must be available for as long as landfill is in place.
• CRMC staff had no objections to this application or the granting of the Special
  Exception.

No questions from the Council to Staff.

Applicants agreed with Mr. Lucia’s presentation and did not add more.

Mr. Izzi asked about funding if application was approved.

Mr. Geremia stated that the Town funded the project every year for over the course of three years and will help bring up to elevation 18.

Mr. Fairbanks asked if the Council could issue assent for more than three years. Advised to discuss with CRMC staff.

Mr. Lucia confirmed for Chair Coia that nothing had changed with the project, location or our regulations.

No public comment during Public Hearing.

Mr. Izzi motioned to approve the Special Exception based on staff report, presentation.

Seconded by Mr. Reynolds.

No discussion on Motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Abstain
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried.

Mr. Izzi then motioned to approve the application with all stipulations based on staff report and presentation.

Mr. Gagnon seconded the motion.
RG second.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Abstain
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:

Motion: Mr. Russolino
Second: Mr. Izzi

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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