Minutes

Semi-Monthly Meeting — Full Council — Tuesday, December 10, 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, December 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Chuck Holbert, DEM
Donald Gomez
Stephen Izzi
Kevin Flynn
Joseph Russolino

Staff Present
Jeffrey M. Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Amy Silva, Spv Environmental Scientist
Bruce Lofgren, Coastal Policy Analyst
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 6:10 p.m.

2. Upon his retirement and in recognition for his years of service as a member of the Coastal Resources Management Council, Donald Gomez was presented with a Citation from Representative Terri Cortvriend and Representative Michelle McGaw. This was Mr. Gomez’s final meeting as a Council member.

3. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting – November 26, 2024

Motion: Mr. Holbert
Second: Mr. Izzi
Motion carried.

4. Subcommittee Reports

Mr. Willis updated the Council on the Planning and Procedures Subcommittee held at 4:00 p.m. earlier on this day, in which the Subcommittee voted to recommend that the Quidnessett Country Club petition to change the Type 1 water designation abutting their property to Type 2 water designation be denied.

5. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis gave a brief overview of the following:

• Offshore renewable energy wind farms and Ocean SAMP resulted in the Council looking at 6-7 wind
  projects with an expectation for three more before the Council within the next few years.
• SouthCoast Wind Power Cable burial Cat B application in state waters will be before the Council this
  year.
• Annual trip to Washington DC to meet with congressional delegates regarding the importance of Coastal Zone Management.

6. OSCAR Program Grant Award Recommendations for Review and Action:

The projects recommended for full funding are:

1. Habitat Degradation and Flood Mitigation Implementing Nature-Based Solutions Through Two Pilot Projects ($225,000)
2. Restoring Marsh Habitat and Public Green Spaces at South Easton Pond ($150,000)
3. Moshassuck River Urban Restoration Program ($250,000)
4. India Point Park Shoreline Improvement ($400,000)
5. Pawtuxet Park Waterfront Improvements Project ($193,000)
6. Restoring the Resilience of Stillhouse Cove Park ($59,150)
7. Enhancing Coastal Resilience and Safe Public Access at Black Point, RI ($100,000)
8. Improving Resilience at Gull Cove RIDEM Public Shoreline Access Point ($50,000)
9. Low Land Resilience and Right of Way Improvements ($257,690)
10. Culvert Replacements: Improved Designs for Flooding Mitigation and Habitat Restoration ($275,000)
11. 11. Restoring Aquatic Organism Passage and Reducing Flooding at Canonchet Road in Hopkinton ($150,000)
12. Mackerel Cove Dune Restoration & Resiliency ($199,400)
13. Town Beach Sea Wall Revetment ($300,000)

Mr. Lofgren presented to the Council the 13 projects that were awarded funding through the first year of the Ocean State Climate and Adaptation Resiliency Fund or OSCAR Fund. Mr. Lofgren stated that the OSCAR Program is represented by CRMC, DEM and the RI Infrastructure bank. Mr. Lofgren explained the process of the OSCAR program’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the ranking of the projects.

Mr. Flynn motioned for the acceptance of the TAC recommendations for funding. Mr. Gomez seconded the motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Horbert Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on unanimous vote. Funding recommendations approved.

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

2024-05-037 BOWENS WHARF COMPANY INC -- To perform repairs and alterations to commercial boating facility, consisting of relocation of existing ramp and float, and (18 sf) addition to existing timber landing pier, to support relocated ramp and float. The pier, ramp and float provide public access to charter boats and misc. vessels. The proposal relocates the float and ramp and provides support at the new pier connection. Located at Plat 24, Lots 342; 22 Bowens Wharf, Newport, RI.

Joseph Nicholson was present as CEO and representative of the Bowens Wharf Company. Mr. Nicholson was sworn in and identified himself for the record.

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of the application for the Council stating the following:

• The existing facility is used to provide public access for charters and vessels on moorings in the harbor.
• The proposal is to expand the facility to 18 square feet (9’ x 2’) as well as the addition of a new float
  constraint system.
• The new expansion will provide resiliency from high tides and storm surges.
• CRMC Staff’s opinion is the project meets the requirements of the RICRMC Management Program.
• The expansion is consistent with designated prior use.
• No objections were received from abutters or neighboring sites.

Mr. Lucia stated that staff recommended approval of the project.

There were no questions from the Council for staff.

Mr. Nicholson stated that he agreed with staff comments and recommendation.

Mr. Izzi motioned for approval of the application based on the staff presentation and report as well as the application materials submitted. Mr. Gomez seconded the motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Horbert Aye
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on unanimous vote. Application approved.

7. Applications requiring a Public Hearing for Special Exception before the Council for Review and Action:

2022-01-064 CITY OF PROVIDENCE – Butler Hospital -- Construct a replacement access road that will allow the City of Providence to inspect, maintain and repair the existing sewer line. A variance is required from RICRMP 1.3.1.B (Filling, Removing and Grading of Shoreline Features). A special exception is required from RICMRP 1.2.2.C.1.2.(a) (Coastal Wetlands) for “alterations to salt marshes and contiguous freshwater or brackish wetlands abutting Type 1 waters...” Located at 305 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI; plat 38, lot 2.

Ms. Silva gave a brief overview of the application for the Council stating the following:

• The project location is the southernmost extent of the Butler Hospital grounds in Providence.
• The project includes maintenance on an existing roadway that accesses an existing sewer line
  built in the 1950s.
• No comments were received during the public notice period.
• The maintenance of the roadway will result in 10,890 sf of disturbance to a coastal wetland
  abutting Type 1 waters and is providing a mitigation area of 21,960 sf which exceeds the standard.
• Staff is of the opinion that this infrastructure project does meet the special exception criteria and that the existing location of the road necessitates both the variance and the special exception.
• There is no staff objection to the approval of the Special Exception and, therefore, the project.
• Additional staff stipulations:
  • planting plan of the mitigation area after treatment of phragmites
  • the applicant must receive the herbicide application permit from the RIDEM Division of Agriculture.
  • Applicant must obtain water quality permit from the RIDEM for work within the wetlands
  • Applicant must obtain a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers for work within the wetlands.

Brian King, PE, from Crossman Engineering was present on behalf of the City of Providence. Mr. King was sworn in and identified himself for the record.

Mr. King added that it is possible that the project is an exempt activity from the water quality certification from RIDEM. Mr. King stated that he will confirm such.

Ms. Silva confirmed for Mr. Flynn that the current road is composed of dirt and will remain such after the maintenance work.

Mr. King stated that the project is near two stream crossings and that the original 1950s stream crossing can now be seen. Mr. King stated that in the areas where there is a stream crossing, a concrete mattress will be laid with the grade to provide structural stability.

No one present for public comment.

Mr. Gomez motioned for the approval of the special exception, based on staff report and staff recommendation. Mr. Russolino seconded the motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Horbert Aye
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on unanimous vote.

Mr. Izzi motioned for the approval of the application based on the staff report, staff recommendation and the applicant’s testimony. Mr. Izzi confirmed that this motion was also for the variances outlined by staff and the four additional staff stipulations.

Mr. Flynn seconded the motion.

Roll call vote by Chair Coia:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Mr. Horbert Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion carried on unanimous vote. Application approved.

 

7. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:

Motion: Mr. Gomez
Second: Mr. Russolino

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary