RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, COUNCIL
Impact
The enactment of S3039 is expected to have significant implications for state laws governing coastal management and land usage. It modifies existing regulations to facilitate easier responses from property owners to threat events, thereby promoting resilience against coastal erosion and severe weather. Critics of the bill, however, may express concerns over potential environmental repercussions if property owners are granted such autonomy without regulatory oversight, potentially leading to unregulated actions that could harm coastal ecosystems or infringe on public trust land rights.
Summary
Bill S3039 proposes amendments to the Coastal Resources Management Council's regulations, allowing property owners to take reasonable actions to protect their property without prior approval from the council. This bill seeks to empower landowners located in coastal areas to respond swiftly to coastal hazards that threaten life, existing structures, or essential land uses. Supporters of the bill argue that it provides necessary autonomy to property owners, enabling them to implement protective measures quickly, especially in times of environmental crises such as hurricanes or flooding.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding S3039 include the balance between individual rights and environmental responsibilities. While the bill aims to simplify protective measures for property owners, opponents argue it may lead to damaging outcomes for coastal resources if necessary safeguards are not maintained. The bill also raises questions about the adequacy of oversight mechanisms, with critics wary about how the removal of prior approval might affect the careful management of coastal areas that are critical for public safety and environmental conservation.
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.