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/