Minutes

Semi-Monthly Meeting — Full Council — Tuesday, September 24, 2024; 6:00 p.m.
Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI

 

In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, September 24, 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
Patricia Reynolds
Stephen Izzi
Kevin Flynn
Joseph Russolino
Patricia Reynolds
Donald Gomez

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Mark Hartmann, Asst Legal Counsel
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary
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, 08-27-2024

Postpone minutes until next meeting.

3. Subcommittee Reports

Mr. Willis updated the Council:

• The Planning and Procedures Subcommittee met on the matter of the Quidnessett Country Club’s Petition to Change the Water Type for North Kingstown location. Quidnessett Country Club will present to the P & P Subcommittee on October 22, 2024.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis reported to the Council:

• Fed Consistency Review Offshore renewable wind farms Revolution Wind Export Cable project is
  proposed for burial in federal and state waters.
• Nature Conservancy Board of Directors – presentation on coastal resilience
• RFP for RI MA CT for more renewable energy projects. The South Coast Wind project which is directly
  attributable to RI South Coast Wind project in which the export cable is proposed to come up the Sakonnet - Cat B Process.

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

2024-03-070 Quonset Development Corporation -- Proposing the installation of the following structures to support Rhode Island’s booming “Blue Economy Industry” (include but not limited to marine aquaculture, offshore wind and marine transportation):

• A 2,900 square foot (sf) pile supported vessel launch ramp and 4,100 sf fixed pile supported pier along the Terminal 5 shoreline,
• 9,000 square feet (sf) of floating support docks,
• 900 square foot (sf) crane pad,
• A total of 440 linear feet (LF) of wave attenuation structure to provide a safe vessel dockage.
• Located at plat 193, lot 10; 2574 Davisville Road, North Kingstown, RI.

Applicants present were sworn in and identified themselves for the record.
Gregory Coren Mgr of Engineering for QDC
Kaitlyn Cross – FOTH Infrastructure & Environment, LLC

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of the project and explained that the proposed project was to be located in the Port of Davisville along Terminal 5 (CRMC Assent B2022-08-059) which is currently being constructed. Mr. Lucia explained that the structure will facilitate the use of the Port by smaller commercial vessels (i.e. less than 50-feet) and provide a flexible working space for the Quonset Business Park (WBP) tenants in support of the blue economy industries. Mr. Lucia explained that the project meets the designated us as the proposed is located in Type 6 water which incorporates Industrial Waterfronts and Commercial Navigation Channels. Mr. Lucia stated that the it was staff’s opinion that all regulations were met, they had no objections to the project and were recommending approval.

The Council had no questions for Mr. Lucia.

Mr. Corey thanked CRMC staff for their review of the project stating that the Project was part of the Ports Master Plan which is well supported by the CRMC.

Mr. Corey confirmed for Mr. Russolino that the commercial vessels would be less than 50’ such as those needed for aquaculture, seafood, maritime shipping, and offshore wind industries.

The Council had no further questions. There were no public comments heard.

Mr. Flynn motioned to approve the application based on staff recommendation and testimony heard tonight. Mr. Russolino 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

Motion carried on unanimous vote.

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:
Motion: Mr. Russolino
Second: Mr. Gagnon

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary