Coastal Communities & Ecosystems
The Aquidneck Island Special Area Management Plan kicks off efforts
The R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has jurisdiction over the coastal areas of the state, and one of its charges is to develop coastal management plans and policies. One of its tools is the Special Area Management Plan (SAMP), through which the issues and needs of specific coastal areas throughout the state are addressed.
One thing that makes a SAMP so important is the federal consistency requirement, which holds that federal activities impacting the coastal zone must be consistent with the enforceable policies of federally approved state coastal zone management programs. Activities subject to the federal consistency requirement include:
• Direct federal actions such as development activities on military bases;
• Federal licenses, permits and other approvals, such as dredge and fill activities requiring Army Corps approvals;
• Federal financial assistance to states and territories and to local governments such as federal highway administration funds and construction grants for wastewater treatment facilities.
The Aquidneck Island SAMP and the West Side Master Plan
CRMC has engaged Rhode Island Sea Grant/URI Coastal Resources Center (CRC/RISG) in the development of the Aquidneck Island SAMP. The SAMP is an opportunity to implement critical portions of the West Side Master Plan, developed by the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission.
CRC/RISG is working with the SAMP advisory committee to develop strategies to address coastal issues; some of these have already been identified by the community. These include the need to 1) Strengthen the island’s disaster resilience and reduce impacts of natural hazards; 2) Provide appropriate guidance for coastal growth center development; and 3) Increase recreation opportunities and public access to and along the coast.
The first meeting to introduce the SAMP to the public was held in Middletown on July 31.
“The SAMP is an opportunity for the public to take part in a collaborative process with government and the private sector to develop a management plan that addresses coastal problems specific to the SAMP area, and will offer practical ways to solve those problems,” said Grover Fugate, CRMC executive director. “A SAMP is unique in its flexibility to provide tailored recommendations for the unique issues of an area, while still serving as a powerful regulatory tool for protecting coastal resources.”
One early SAMP activity is the production of the Aquidneck Island Outdoors recreational and public access map. The public is invited to contribute photographs and suggestions for locations to include in the map or on the accompanying website.
For more information on the SAMP or the map project, visit seagrant.gso.uri.edu/ccd/aisamp.
Providence Harbor workshop proceedings available
A May workshop sought to address conflicts over projected plans for Providence Harbor, primarily between water-dependent businesses that require access to the deep-water channel and the cities that receive little in the way of property taxes from industrial uses, making residential and other commercial development more attractive to city officials.
The workshop was sponsored by teh R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council, Rhode Island Sea Grant, the URI Coastal Resources Center, NOAA, the Rhode Island Foundation, the R.I. Economic Policy Council, Providence Piers, Promet Marine Services, and Sprague Energy Corp.
The proceedings from the workshop have just been made available on-line, joining other workshop materials. Visit seagrant.gso.uri.edu/metrosamp/