CRMC
Special Area Management Plans
Greenwich Bay Example
By GROVER FUGATE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CRMC
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council was created in
1971 for the purpose of managing the coastal resources of the state.
". . . to preserve, protect, develop, and, where possible, to restore the coastal
resources of the state for this and succeeding generations through
comprehensive and long range planning and management designed to produce
the maximum benefits for society from such coastal resources; preservation
and restoration shall be the guiding principle upon which environmental
alterations will be measured, judged and regulated.
Powers and Duties of the CRMC
-Continual planning and management of the state’s coastal
resources
-Development of plans , policies, and regulations necessary to
implement its management program
-Dredge Management Coordinator for the state
-Aquaculture Coordinator for the state
-Coastal Management Coordination and Research
-Normal operations- enforce CRMP, issue modify, deny, permits
-Designation of state right of ways
-Habitat Restoration
-Biosecurity Board
When Are Coastal Permits Required
Activity is in or on tidal waters of Rhode Island
Activity is on or in a Coastal Feature
Activity is within 200 feet of the Coastal Feature
Activity is Aquaculture related
Activity falls within the scope of Section 325
Activity falls within the scope of Section 320
Activity causes an alteration of a Freshwater Inflow
Activity is regulated as alteration of a Freshwater
Wetland within the vicinity of the Coast
If an activity conflicts with CRMC’s management plans
or programs
What Are Coastal Features
Tidal Waters and Coastal Ponds
Coastal Wetlands
Beaches
Coastal Headlands, Cliffs & Bluffs
Barriers Islands and Spits
Rocky Shores
Manmade Shorelines
Dunes and Dikes
Water Types
Type 1 Waters-Conservation Areas
Type 2 Waters-Residential and Low Intensity
Type 3 Waters- Marina and High Intensity Boating
Type 4 Waters- Multipurpose
Type 5 Waters- Commercial and Tourism Oriented
Type 6 Waters- Port and Navigation
P
NA
NA
P
P
P
P
NA
P
NA
NA
NA
NA
P
P
P
P
P
B
A
A
A
P
P
P
P
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
NA
NA
P
NA
P
NA
P
NA
P
P
P
P
NA
NA
P2
P
P
P
Rocky Shores
P
NA
P
Coastal Wetlands
P
P
P
P
P
P
Manmade Shorelines
P
P
Developed Barriers
Undeveloped Barriers
NA
Beaches and Dunes
NA
B
Areas of Historic/
Archaeological Signific
P
Headlands, Bluffs, and C
P
Moderately Developed Bar
P
P
Tidal Waters
Recreational Structures
P
P
B
B
Recreational Mooring Areas
NA
NA
NA
NA
Marinas
P
P
P
P
Launching Ramps*
P
P
P
Residential Docks,*Piers,*& Floats
Type
1 P
P
P
P
Waters
Mooring of Houseboats
NA
NA
NA
Mooring of Floating Businesses
NA
NA
NA
Municipal Sewage Treatment
Facilities
P
P
B
Individual Sewage Disposal Systems
P
P
B
Point Discharges - Runoff
A
A
A
A
Point Discharges - Other
P
P
P
B
Non-Structural Shoreline Protection
A
A
A
Structural Shoreline Protection
P
B
B8
Energy-related Activities/
Structures
P
B
B
Dredging - Improvement
NA
NA
NA
Dredging - Maintenance
NA
NA
NA
Open-Water Dredged Material
Disposal
NA
Upland Dredged Material Disposal
P
B
B
Beach Nourishment
NA
NA
NA
B
Filling in Tidal Waters
NA
NA
NA
NA
Aquaculture
NA
NA
NA
Mosquito Control Ditching
B
A
P
P
P
P
P
NA
NA
P
P
A
A
B
P
P3
B
NA
NA
P
NA
NA
NA
NA
P
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA P
NA
P
B
B
B
B
B
B
P
NA
NA
NA
NA
P
B
NA
NA
NA
NA
P
NA
A
NA
NA
NA
NA
A
NA
P
B
P
NA
P
P
NA
P
B
P
Powers and Duties of the CRMC
Coordination
The council shall have the following coordinating powers and duties:
(I) Functioning as a binding arbitrator in any matter of dispute involving both the
resources of the state's coastal region and the interests of two (2) or more municipalities
or state agencies.
(ii) Consulting and coordinating actions with local, state, regional, and federal agencies
and private interests.
(iii) Conducting or sponsoring coastal research.
(iv) Advising the governor, the general assembly, and the public on coastal matters.
(v) Serving as the lead state agency and initial and primary point of contact for dredging
activities in tidal waters and in that capacity, integrating and coordinating the plans and
policies of other state agencies as they pertain to dredging in order to develop
comprehensive programs for dredging as required by º 46-23-6(A)(2)(h).
(vi) Acting as the state's representative to all bodies public and private on all coastal and
aquaculture related matters.
Powers and Duties of the CRMC
Federal Consistency
•Under section 307 of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, federal
activities affecting the coastal zone must be consistent with the enforceable
policies of state coastal zone management programs that have received federal
approval. Activities subject to the federal consistency requirement include:
•a. direct federal actions such as development activities on military bases ;
• b. federal licenses, permits and other approvals, such as dredge and fill
activities requiring an Army Corps approvals;
•c. and, federal financial assistance to states and territories and to local
governments such as, federal highway administration funds, and construction
grants for wastewater treatment facilities.
Powers and Duties of the CRMC
Special Area Management Plans
Federal Definition
The term ''special area management plan'' means a comprehensive plan
providing for natural resource protection and reasonable coastal-dependent
economic growth containing a detailed and comprehensive statement of
policies; standards and criteria to guide public and private uses of lands and
waters; and mechanisms for timely implementation in specific geographic areas
within the coastal zone.
What is a SAMP?
A SAMP is a watershed-based plan
built on government cooperation
and community participation. It is
adopted into the state CRMP
regulations and recommends
actions for government to protect a
valued coastal resource.
The SAMP is part of CRMCs
ongoing responsibility under both
Rhode Island General Laws and
section 309 of the 1972 Coastal
Zone Management Act .
Greenwich Bay
Special Area Management Plan
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
Rhode Island Sea Grant/URI Coastal Resources Center
City of Warwick and Town of East Greenwich
In partnership with:
RI Department of Environmental Management
RI Department of Health
RI Economic Development Corporation
RI Marine Trades Association
RI Shellfishermen’s Association
Save the Bay
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Southern Rhode Island Conservation District
With financial support from:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Rhode Island General Assembly
Purpose of the
Greenwich Bay
SAMP
• Describe the special assets
•
•
•
of the Bay
Characterize the issues of
the Bay
Recommend steps to help
government work with
communities to restore,
protect, and balance uses of
the Bay for this and future
generations
Set clear policies and
standards for permitting
and regulation by state and
municipal governments
Nutrients
The Cause : Nutrients
(SW = NITROGEN)
One BAD Impact:
HYPOXIA / ANOXIA
What Were The Causes Of The Fish
Kill
• High Water Temp
• Heavy Spring Rains
• Significant
Phytoplankton Bloom
• Stratification of the
Estuary
• Neap Tide
• First Year Class
• Predatory Stress
• Poor Natural
Circulation within the
Coves
• Excess Nitrogen in
System
T
oS
tre
a
m
s
,T
r
ib
uta
r
ie
s,G
re
e
nw
ichB
ay
Current Nitrogen Loading Conditions
Boat Heads
2%
Lawn Fertilizer
4%
Atmospheric Dep. On Watershed
9%
Atmospheric Dep.
On Bay
Narragansett
Bay Waters
8%
45 %
Septic Systems
24%
East Greenwich
WWTF
8%
Current and Projected Nitrogen Loadings in Greenwich Bay
200
189
Nitrogen Loadings (metric tons yr-1)
180
Narragansett Bay Waters
160
140
Septic Contribution to Watershed
streams and GW after attenuation
90
128
E.G. WWTF
120
Atmospheric Deposition on
Watershed (attenuated through GW)
100
80
63
Atmospheric Deposition on
Greenwich Bay
47.1
Maximum Contribution from Boat
Heads
60
40
21
16
11.8
16.8
20
0
15
4.15
Current Conditions
16.8
15
Best Case Scenario
Pathogens
Bacteria Sources:
•Failing Septic Systems
•Wildlife, bird, and pet waste
•Watershed covered by high % of impervious surfaces
•Boats illegally discharging to Bay
Narragansett Bay is not a source of bacteria inputs
Habitat
Chapter 3: The Habitats of Greenwich Bay
310.
Greenwich Bay and its Watershed
A. Introduction
B. Geology
C. Climate
D. Land Use
320. Coastal Habitats
320.1 Open Waters
A. Shellfish Habitat
B. Finfish Habitat
C. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
D. Birds
320.2 Wetlands
A. Tidal
B. Freshwater
320.3 Beaches
320.4 Tributaries
330. Terrestrial Habitats
340. Vegetated Buffers
Policy Considerations:
• Conditional Policy vs. Blanket Policy
• Multiple Use Buffers vs. Single Use Buffers
– Wildlife Habitat, Water Quality, Erosion Control, Flood Control, Scenic
and Aesthetic Quality, Historic and Archaeological Resources
• New Development vs. Existing Development
• Coastal vs. Freshwater
• Location
• Buffer Design
– Buffer Width, Single Zone vs. Three Zone Design, Vegetation
• Buffer Management
• Variances
• Implementation
– Regulation, Direct Acquisition, PDR, Cost-Share, Contract
– Takings Issues
Hazards
RISK ASSESSMENT
9 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
9HAZARDS ANALYSIS
9CRITICAL FACILITES (Maps in
progress)
SOCIAL ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
• Wind from (a) hurricanes, and (b) nor’easters
• Flooding from (a) rain, and (b) storm surge
• Snow and ice
• Temperature extremes
Oakland Beach after the 1938 Hurricane
Mitigation
1) FEMA’s Pre‐Disaster Mitigation Assistance Program
2) Flood storage areas
3) Building codes and construction standards
4) Land use planning and floodplain
management standards
Technical Committee Process
First Draft Review
• Sept 11, 2003 (Water Quality)
• Sept 25, 2003 (Hazard Mitigation)
• Oct 9, 2003 (Cultural Assets)
• Oct 16, 2003 (Habitat Protection)
• Nov 20, 2003 (Habitat Protection)
• Dec 4, 2003 (Economic Investment)
• Dec 18, 2003 (Recreational Use)
• Jan 16, 2004 (Recreational Use)
Second Draft Review
• April - July, 2004
Citizens Advisory Committee
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cedar Tree Point Assn.
Buttonwoods Bay Committee
Buckeye Brook Coalition
Buttonwoods Garden Club
Buttonwoods Beach Assn.
Defenders of Greenwich Bay
E.G. Chamber of Commerce
E.G. Planning Board
R.I. Marine Trades Assn.
R.I. Shellfishermen’s Assn.
R.I. Saltwater Anglers Assn.
Warwick Harbor Mnge. Comm.
Warwick Marine Alliance
• Warwick Watershed Action
•
•
•
•
•
Team
Central R.I. Chamber of
Commerce
Warwick Planning Board
East Greenwich Historic
Commission
E.G. Cove Management
Commission
Chepiwanoxet Neighbor
Association
Greenwich Bay SAMP Team
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Michael Tikoian, Chairman
David Abedon, Subcommittee
Paul Lamont, Subcommittee
Ray Coia, Subcommittee
Grover Fugate, Executive Director
Jeff Willis, Deputy Director
Megan Higgins, Coastal Management Specialist
Janet Freedman, Coastal Geologist
Dave Reis, Biologist
Dan Goulet, Dredging Coordinator
Dave Alves, Aquaculture Coordinator
Rhode Island Sea Grant/URI Coastal Resources Center
–
–
–
–
–
Virginia Lee, Assistant Director & Program Manager
Glenn Ricci, CAC Support
Michael Campana, Research Manager
Sue Kennedy, Communications Specialist
Monica Allard-Cox, Webmaster & Publications Editor
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/G_Bay/Management/SAMP/
http://www.crmc.ri.gov/