ecoRI News — Brief Supports Overturning Ruling that OK'd Expansion of Controversial Block Island Marina

Feb 11, 2022

By ecoRI News Staff — Interceding in a case raising significant issues involving government transparency in environmental disputes, four organizations recently filed a “friend of the court” brief in Rhode Island Supreme Court in a long-standing controversy involving the proposed expansion of Champlin’s Marina & Resort on Block Island.

Save The Bay, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, Common Cause Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association filed the amicus curiae brief in support of the attorney general and intervenors in the case, who are seeking to overturn a September 2021 Superior Court decision. The court found the mediation between Champlin’s and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) approving the expansion was “proper and conclusive.” However, the court made that finding even though other parties that had been involved in the litigation for years were not a part of the mediation.

Through a surprise mediated settlement with CRMC in late 2020, Champlin’s Realty Associates Inc. was granted approval to build 170 feet into Great Salt Pond. The 1.5-acre expansion includes extending the fuel dock 85 feet, to a length of 314 feet. A parallel 314-foot-long dock was approved that connects to the fuel dock with a 156-foot-long dock. Additional space for parking was also granted. Sewage pump-out stations and pedestal lighting were permitted on the new piers.

The agreement brokered by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams was sanctioned unanimously Dec. 29, 2020 during an executive session of the CRMC board. CRMC has declined to comment on the action and there is no public record of what occurred during closed-door deliberations.

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