The RI Coastal Resources Management Council is developing a Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) for Aquidneck Island in partnership with RI Sea Grant/URI Coastal Resources Center; the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission; the three island communities of Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport; and Naval Station Newport.

The SAMP will help implement the West Side Master Plan that was developed by the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission as the island communities' vision for future development on the western shore of the island. The SAMP will address specific development standards for this region and include public access requirements, open space and habitat preservation, CRMC water type designation changes, and natural hazard resilience, among other issues. Working with the SAMP partners, the CRMC will develop draft chapters for public review and comment.