Section 650-RICR-20-00-5.1 - Authority and PurposeA. It is the responsibility of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (RICRMC) to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore the coastal natural resources of Rhode Island. The Federal Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1451 - 1465) also charges the RICRMC with: 1. assisting in the redevelopment of deteriorating urban waterfronts, and considering the need for economic development that is compatible with the ecological, cultural, historic, and aesthetic values of the coastal zone;2. ensuring the availability of public access points for coastal recreation;3. considering the need for siting of facilities for national defense, energy, fisheries development, ports and transportation, as well as appropriate siting of new commercial and industrial developments;4. timely review of projects through the streamlining of management activities;5. providing opportunities for public involvement in the decisions regarding coastal management; and6. protecting uses of regional benefit.B. As authorized by the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. §§ 1451 - 1466) and R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-23, the Coastal Resources Management Council may implement special area management plans.C. The purpose of the rules of the Metro Bay Region Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) within the municipalities of Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket and Providence is to provide for the management of the Providence Harbor and surrounding Metro Bay region. The boundaries of the Metro Bay region are shown in Figure 1 of § 5.1(D) of this Part. These rules provide an alternative coastal vegetative buffer policy for the Metro Bay region that accommodates increased public access to the coast, improved water quality via on-site vegetative stormwater treatment, and the preservation and restoration of habitat corridors and the general aesthetic value of Rhode Island's urban shoreline. Additionally, the intent and purpose of these rules is to promote economic development along the urban shorelines with a predictable permitting process, ensure redevelopment proceeds in a coordinated fashion, and ensure that conflicts are resolved in favor of maintaining a balance among port, recreation, commercial, and residential uses consistent with the designated CRMC water types. For additional information on the Metro Bay SAMP region that informed the development of these rules, please see the Metro Bay SAMP guidance document.D. Map depicting the area of the Metro Bay Region Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) Click here to view
650 R.I. Code R. 650-RICR-20-00-5.1