By Rob Smith — The calls for reforming the state’s coastal management agency are growing stronger in the General Assembly. Last week, members of the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee heard a package of five bills to overhaul the Coastal Resources Management Council, the regulatory agency responsible for permitting offshore wind, aquaculture, and development along Rhode Island’s more than 400 miles of coastline.

Rhode Island will have two projects funded by a new initiative announced by VP Harris. They are part of a $562 million climate change package funding projects primarily on the country’s coastline to address rising seas and coastal flooding. Rhode Island’s package will total approximately $691,000.

By Matt Hayes — Grant for $230,745 will pay for Walker Farm work. The matching grant will help officials expand the gravel parking lot, construct an accessible walkway to a new boat launch, and improve shore access for kayakers and rowers.

By Frank Carini — Political influence has eroded enforcement of Rhode Island’s environmental laws, creating a system that puts complying businesses at an economic disadvantage and rewards polluters. Enforcement alone, however, isn’t the solution to protecting the Ocean State’s priceless collection of natural resources.