Summary
of Governor’s Initial Charges to the Narragansett Bay and
Watershed Planning Commission
Role
The Commission will:
(1) Develop and recommend to the Governor a strategic Bay and watershed
plan to identify strategic goals and strategies that addresses both
environmental sustainability and economic viability while addressing
water quality, habitat, land use, recreational water uses, fisheries,
marine infrastructure, transportation, and other issues determined
by the Commission;
(2) Identify threats to the Bay as a healthy ecosystem and obstacles
to sustainable economic use of Bay resources;
(3) Advise the Governor on Bay and watershed-related issues;
(4) Address specific charges made by the Governor to the Commission;
(5) Recommend changes to rules, regulations, and statutes;
(6) Develop an agenda for environmental and economic research, coordinate
data collection, and integrate and consolidate data management so
as to enhance the quality of, as well as access to and use of, data
for planning and decision-making such as the EIS for Quonset and
the Narragansett Bay Partnership project;
(7) Identify and resolve gaps in knowledge and resources needed
or overlapping efforts among existing planning initiatives;
(8) Develop a plan to educate the public about critical environmental
issues impacting the Bay and its watershed and to increase public
participation in the Bay and watershed planning process;
(9) Identify suitable areas for development, and promising opportunities
for development within those areas such as brownfields;
(10) Resolve user conflicts and reduce uncertainty as economic opportunities
must not be viewed as zero-sum for marine dependent jobs;
(11) Develop a coordinated grant application process;
(12) Facilitate improvement of inter-state coordination, especially
in addressing watershed issues; and
(13) Identify federal programs that can provide technical or financial
assistance in the development and implementation of the Bay plan.
SHORT-TERM
GOALS
- By March
2004, develop a clear, realistic and unified strategic work plan
(Phase I Strategic Work Plan) for protecting the economic viability
and environmental sustainability of the Bay; a shared agenda for,
and efficient allocation of responsibilities among, in-state and
interstate efforts by federal, state and local governments as
well as private sector organizations, including academic institutions
and nongovernmental organizations
- By March
2004, as part of the Phase I Strategic Work Plan: (1) establish
one or more Strategic Assessment Teams to identify and assess,
in a proactive way, conditions that can lead to such Bay and watershed
problems as large scale fish kills and beach closures; (2) determine
what would constitute the optimal data management system for the
Bay and watershed, to be implemented by January 2005; and (3)
in coordination with DEM's efforts to establish a Comprehensive
Statewide Monitoring Strategy for Rhode Island, develop a framework
for a Bay and watershed wide water quality and biological monitoring
program.
- By March
2004, as part of the Commission's Phase I Strategic Work Plan,
develop a report on priority needs for the State's fishing and
aquaculture industries. The report should address water quality,
monitoring, and habitat (e.g., fish passage) issues that relate
directly to the health of the stocks. Particular attention should
be given to the
establishment of a formalized Cooperative Fisheries Research Program
with participation by state agencies, the fishing industry, and
academic institutions.
- By March
2004, as part of the Phase I Strategic Work Plan, conduct a study
on the feasibility of creating a Bay Island Park system that would
enhance conservation, education and recreation opportunities on
the islands within the Bay including Hope, Prudence, and Patience,
and establishing a state transportation system to and between
islands, that accommodates the needs of the underserved population
in the urban areas, to enhance public access to and enjoyment
of these resources.
- By March
2004, as part of the Commission's Phase I Strategic Work Plan,
develop an initial nutrient and bacteria reduction strategy that
identifies the initial steps necessary to address all major sources
of bacteria and nutrients.
- By March
2004, as part of the Phase I Strategic Plan, determine the best
means for advancing Rhode Island's coastal habitat protection
and restoration programs. An initial step would be finalizing
a state coastal habitat restoration plan that includes a prioritized
project list developed using scientific analysis tools as well
as best professional judgment and community desires.
MID-TERM GOALS
- By 2005,
develop a final master plan for dredging and management of dredge
material, including a 20-year plan for maintaining navigational
channels and basins.
- By 2005,
develop a comprehensive storm water management plans for all communities
bordering the Bay and its tributaries.
- By 2006,
develop a strategic plan for restoration and protection of the
Bay as fish habitat.
- By 2006,
a strategic plan for port activity and marine transportation.
- By 2006,
develop a strategic plan for recreational boating infrastructure.
LONG-TERM GOALS
Through planning and coordinated efforts, the goals shall be to:
- By 2010,
reopen 25percent of areas now closed to swimming.
- By 2010,
reduce the number and frequency of beach closures by 50 percent.
- By 2010,
reduce the number of days shellfish areas are closed by 50percent
and reopen 2000 acres.
- By 2010,
make nutrient removal operational at all wastewater treatment
facilities discharging to the Bay or its tributaries
- By 2015,
restore the Blackstone, Woonasquatucket and Wood-Pawcatuck rivers,
and Greenwich Bay, to fishable and swimmable conditions.
- By 2015,
restore fish passage on Blackstone, Pawtuxet, Ten Mile and Wood-Pawcatuck;
open 35 river miles to anadromous fish by 2007, 100 miles by 2015
- By 2020,
restore the Seekonk, Moshassuck, Providence and Pawtuxtet rivers,
Upper Bay and Mount Hope Bay to fishable and swimmable conditions.
- By 2010,
protect an additional 1,500 acres of sensitive coastal resource
areas, including wetlands.
- By 2008,
restore 100 acres of coastal wetlands, plus an additional 100
acres by 2015.
- By 2008,
restore 100 acres of riparian buffer, plus an additional 100 acres
by 2015.
- By 2010,
restore and protect those areas around the Bay identified as critical
fish habitats.
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