Narragansett Bay SAMP
Narragansett Bay SAMP: The CRMC Narragansett Bay Special Area Management Plan (Bay SAMP) initiative engages the public in the gathering, synthesizing and sharing of Bay science and best management practices for the purpose of updating state policy to guide Rhode Island’s use and management of Bay resources and activities. The initial focus of the Bay SAMP is to develop policy and standards for the siting of submerged cables within state waters for offshore renewable energy development, and to guide and manage aquaculture projects within Narragansett Bay and the Sakonnet River. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is undertaking this long-range planning effort to respond to its primary responsibility of preserving, protecting, developing, and where possible restoring coastal areas of the state.
Commitment to Public Involvement: CRMC is committed to engaging the public during all phases of this 12 – 18 month process (began March 2021). Although public meetings and workshops have been organized, CRMC has also engaged the Aquaculture Element Working Group, made up of over 80 Rhode Islanders representing resource users, municipalities, researchers, environmental organizations, and federal and state agencies in the development of project deliverables. As volunteer advisors, the Working Group brings its expertise to the table, asking questions, learning, and making recommendations. The Working Group is an advisory body to the CRMC, it has no legal or regulatory authority, and thus is not a public body as defined under state law. Therefore, the Working Group meetings are not subject to Open Meeting Act notification. The public was also notified of all working group meetings through CRMC’s RI Aquaculture Listserv.
