Rhode Island Current — An existential crisis for troubled coastal management agency?
A bill by Sen. Victoria Gu of Westerly, far right, would eliminate the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Also pictured are Sen. Joshua Miller of Cranston, middle, and Sen. Matt LaMountain of Warwick, left. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
April 20, 2023
By Nancy Lavin — The state’s coastal regulatory agency is ripe for reform.
But how much?
This is the key question lawmakers, residents and coastal advocates are considering when it comes to the politically appointed Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture on Wednesday considered five different pieces of legislation aimed at reforming various aspects of the 10-member, volunteer council, or eliminating it altogether. The bills come amid ongoing scrutiny of the council for unpopular decisions that go against the scientific expertise of agency staff. Further fanning the flames of controversy are prolonged council vacancies which have led to a string of canceled meetings, leaving business owners and community members waiting sometimes years for crucial approvals on projects and permits.
“I don’t think anybody is against taking steps to increase transparency and trust in a public agency,” said Sen. Alana DiMario, a North Kingstown Democrat and chairperson of the committee.
“We have a lot of different approaches, but they all speak to the same thing.”
Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, provided three such approaches, through bills that would require a “supermajority” vote of three-fifths of the council to override staff recommendations; require representation on the council from fishing and development industries and someone from Save the Bay; and elevate the agency’s director role to a cabinet position appointed by the governor.
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