Agenda

Semi-Monthly Meeting — Full Council — Tuesday, January 11, 2022; 6:00 p.m.
Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI

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Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting — Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Subcommittee Reports

Staff Reports

COUNCIL REVIEW and ACTION ON PROPOSED RULEMAKING:
CRMC Rules and Regulations Governing the Protection and Management of Freshwater Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast (650-RICR-20-00-9)

The CRMC proposes to adopt new freshwater wetlands in the vicinity of the coast rules in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 46-23-6 and 2-1-18 through 2-1-20.1 to strengthen the protection of freshwater wetlands in the vicinity of the coast and to provide clarity, predictability and streamlining of the regulatory framework. These new rules will replace the CRMC’s existing freshwater wetland rules (650-RICR-20-00-2), which will be repealed upon adoption and implementation of these new rules. The CRMC has closely coordinated with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) on the development of these new freshwater wetland rules for consistency of rule application throughout the state as required by state law. The CRMC and DEM regulations for freshwater wetland protection, including the new buffer standards are identical with the exception of some necessary differences to reflect the specific CRMC and DEM regulatory procedures and authorities as prescribed in state law. The CRMC is proposing adoption and implementation of these rules to be consistent with the effective date of the DEM freshwater wetland rules on July 1, 2022.

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