In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Patricia Reynolds
Ronald Gagnon, DEM
Micheal Reuter, DPM
Joseph Russolino
Steven Izzi
Kevin Flynn

Staff Present
Staff Present
Jeffrey M. Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Amy Silva, Environmental Scientist IV
Benjamin Goetsch, Aquaculture Coordinator
Mark Hartmann, Assoc Legal Counsel
Laura Dwyer, Public Educator/Information Coordinator
Ryan Moore, Technical Support Specialist
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

2. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The Council considered approval of the December 9, 2025 meeting minutes.

Motion: Mr. Izzi
Second: Dr. Reuter
Vote: All in favor. Mr. Gagon abstained.
Outcome: Motion passed. December 9, 2025 Semimonthly Meeting minutes approved.

3. Subcommittee Reports

There were none heard.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis Reported:

• The pause from the Trump Administration on Offshore Wind Farms does not affect Rhode Island reviews of previous wind farms.
• Point Street Bridge creosote piling removal is moving forward.

Attorney Hartmann reported:

CRMC Legal Counsel has filed with superior court a counterclaim against the Quidnessett Country Club

• Declaratory Ruling and Mandatory Injunctive Relief (command QCC to remove the illegal wall).
  Next step is to file a motion for Preliminary Injunctive Relief

5. Applications which have been Out To Notice for 30-Days and are before the Council for Review and Action:

A*1995-07-194 EAST POND COTTAGE LLC – Modification of existing residential boating facility -- Replacement of existing residential boating facility extending 79’ seaward of the cited MLW mark with a new residential boating facility consisting of an upland ramp, 4’ x 103’ fixed timber pier, 3’ x 20’ gangway, 4’x 4’ landing float and 8’ x 18.75’ (150sf) terminal float. The facility is proposed to extend 84’ seaward of the cited MLW mark, requiring an additional 5’ further length variance from existing (Redbook 650-RICR-20-00-01 Section 1.3.1(D)(11)(l)). A property line setback variance from the northern abutter of 13’ is also required, an increase from the existing 17’ offset (Section 1.13.1(D)(11)(k). Located at plat U, Lot 44; 11 East Pond Road, Narragansett, RI.

Ms. Silva gave a brief overview of the project stating that the proposed modification was for a previously existing or “grandfather” dock which were many times did not meet CRMC standards. Ms. Silva stated that the modification request was for the removal of the existing “seasonal” facility to be replaced with a full-time facility. Ms. Silva stated that initially a side-setback variance was required but that a sign off was received from the abutter, the Town of Narragansett, and a side-setback variance was no longer required. Ms. Silva stated that the facility would require a 5’ length variance. Ms. Silva explained that the length allows for 150 sf float and to get to the CRMC water depth standard of 18” at MLW. Ms. Silva stated that CRMC staff had no objection to the approval of the variance or the facility.

Jeff Barry, Operations Manager for East Pond Cottage LLC was present as well as Russell Morgan, PE, Engineer on the project.

Mr. Barry and Mr. Morgan both agreed with Ms. Silva’s project overview and added that the length variance was to also miss boulders in the area. Mr. Barry added that it puts their facility on par with the other facilities in the area.

No council questions.

Public Comment:
Speak in favor? No one present.
Speak in opposition? No one present.

Ms. Reynolds motioned to approve the application based on findings as presented in staff report, the representations made at the meeting and with any standard stipulations. Ms. Reynolds clarified that the motion was to include approval of the variance relief as requested.

No discussion.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Gagnon, Mr. Flynn and Mr. Russollino.

Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried with unanimous approval.

Outcome: Motion passed.

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2025-06-048 BRADLEY BOEHRINGER – Application for a 3.5-acre expansion of the existing aquaculture site, CRMC#2019-12-055, for the cultivation of eastern oysters and bay scallops using low profile floating baskets and bottom cages. Location – Dutch Island Harbor, Jamestown, RI.

Mr. Goetsch gave a brief overview of the application stating that the applicant had been working the site for a long time and utilizes all of his 7.8-acre lease area, hence the request for expansion of 3.5-acres and the addition of low floating gear which is the lowest gear on the market currently and is also being used by other farms in the vicinity with great success. Mr. Goetsch stated that the expansion request was first vetted through the preliminary determination process.

Mr. Goetsch stated that the formal application went out to Public Notice and received authorizations and recommendations from the following:

• RIDEM Marine Fisheries, RIDEM Fish & Wildlife and the Marine Fisheries Council all stated that the expansion would have minimal impact.
• US Coast Guard found that the expansion would not increase the risk to navigational safety.
• US Army Corp of Engineers provided authorization through a GP20 review.

The application also received two public comments during the Public Notice period which included the increase in aquaculture debris in Dutch Island Harbor area, the accumulation of sand in Great Creek correlating with aquaculture, and, that sailing has become more challenging in this area.

Mr. Goetsch addressed the comments stating that while there are occasional calls regarding debris on Jamestown shores, he immediately contacts the aquaculturist and the debris is removed in a timely manner but that much of the debris shown in the pictures was not aquaculture related but appeared to be related to other activities such as boating, homeowner landscaping maintenance. Mr. Goetsch stated that he consulted the CRMC Geologist regarding the sand accumulation and the result was that there is no correlation or causation with the aquaculture farms. Mr. Goetsch stated that this particular expansion of an aquaculture farm is interior to the aquaculture area and that the boundaries to the aquaculture area were to remain as it is.

Mr. Goetsch stated that he found the application to be consistent with the CRMP and all its policies and standards and that he recommended approval with standard stipulations and a performance bond of $40,000.

No further questions from Council.

Bradley Boehringer, President of Rocky Road Oyster Co and dba Carpenter Oysters, addressed the Council and stated that they are staying within the aquaculture zone in Jamestown and not impeding the area’s navigation. Mr. Boehringer spoke about classes that they teach at Fort Getty regarding aquaculture farms.

Mr. Boehringer explained that there has been a lot of development of new equipment for aquaculture farms and they he had upgrade his farm to nonrusting equipment/gear which won’t fall off and float away.

Dr. Reuter asked about adding additional boundary buoys. Mr. Boehringer (sworn in) stated that each farm is responsible for their own buoys but that they are all trying to adopt the same buoys. Discussion on buoy requirements.

No further questions from the Council.

Public Comment:
Speak in favor? No one present.
Speak in opposition? No one present.

Mr. Izzi motioned for approval of expansion based on testimony from staff and applicant as well as the staff report with staff stipulations.

Seconded by Dr. Reuter.

Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried with unanimous approval.

Outcome: Motion passed.

6. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:
Motion: Dr. Reuter
Second: Mr. Russollino

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,
Lisa A. Turner, Recording Secretary

 

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