RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, COUNCIL
Impact
The bill signifies a shift towards empowering individual property owners with more autonomy regarding their coastal properties. By allowing property owners to act without prior consent, H7309 could expedite protection measures and encourage proactive steps in safeguarding essential infrastructure and public safety. However, it raises concerns regarding the potential for unregulated activities that could have adverse environmental impacts, particularly if property owners engage in extensive development or alteration without oversight.
Summary
House Bill H7309 aims to provide property owners in Rhode Island the authority to take necessary actions to protect their properties from coastal hazards that affect human life, infrastructure, or essential land uses without needing prior approval from the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). This positions property owners to act swiftly and effectively in response to coastal threats, potentially improving safety and infrastructure resilience against disasters like flooding or erosion.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise regarding the adequacy of environmental protections and the balance between property rights and public interest. Critics may worry that uncoordinated actions by individual property owners could lead to unsustainable practices harming coastal ecosystems. Proponents argue that the bill facilitates necessary adaptations to climate risks without bureaucratic delays, but opponents may call for safeguards to ensure actions undertaken are consistent with broader environmental goals and community needs.
Replaces the coastal resources management council with a state department of coastal resources and transfer all of the powers and duties between the two (2) authorities.
Replaces the coastal resources management council with a state department of coastal resources and transfer all of the powers and duties between the two (2) authorities.
Replaces CRMC with a newly created division of coastal resources management, a state entity within the DEM and would transfer all authority to the DEM with duties and responsibilities to be carried out by the division of coastal resources management.
JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $400,000 TO THE COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (CRMC) FOR FUNDING OF URI'S COASTAL RESOURCES CENTER (CRC) STORMTOOLS, CHAMP ANALYSIS, AND MYCOAST (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $400,000 to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council for the continuation of STORMTOOLS, CHAMP, and MyCoast.)
JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $400,000 TO THE COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (CRMC) FOR FUNDING OF URI'S COASTAL RESOURCES CENTER (CRC) STORMTOOLS, CHAMP ANALYSIS, AND MYCOAST (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $400,000 to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council for the continuation of STORMTOOLS, CHAMP, and MyCoast.)
Prohibits applications for a comprehensive permit under the Rhode Island comprehensive planning and land use regulation act in any watershed overlay protection district located in the town of Tiverton.
Prohibits applications for a comprehensive permit under the Rhode Island comprehensive planning and land use regulation act in any watershed overlay protection district located in the town of Tiverton.
Provides that the legislature would be the body that negotiates on behalf of the state for all activities occurring in, on and over state submerged land extending beyond twenty-five (25) acres.