Donald L. Carcieri
Governor

Former Governor J. Joseph Garrahy
Chairman of the Commission

James Boyd
Staff for the Commission

Administered by the Coastal Institute at the University of Rhode Island

The Need for a Narragansett Bay Watershed and Planning Commission

The development of a Narragansett Bay and watershed plan will provide a substantive “vision statement” that will ensure better coordination and planning initiatives. It must be a broadly shared vision for the protection and sustainable use of the Bay as both an environmental and economic resource. The Bay is not just a natural treasure, it is also an important economic resource.

Fishing

• In 2001, the total commercial landings (the sale of fish/shellfish/lobsters directly from the boat) was 115 million pounds worth $65.4 million, down from $72.5 million in 2000.
• In 2001, there were 4,458 commercially licensed fishermen, a slight decrease from 4,477 in 2000. Over the past six years the number has been steady.

Shipping

• The total cargo brought into RI ports exceeds 8 million tons annually.
• In 1999, 84% by weight of the total cargo delivered to the Bay ports consisted of petroleum products (gasoline, heating oil, diesel, kerosene and natural gas).
• Most commercial vessels using the Bay are barges, tugs and tow vessels

Tourism

• In 2000, an estimated 15.7 million people visited RI.
• The total annual recreational value of the Bay is estimated at $2 billion.
• According to federal survey statistics, about 300,000 anglers – of whom 60% were nonresidents – participated in recreational saltwater fishing in RI in 2000, landing an estimated 3.8 million pounds of fish.
• In 2000, 36,522 boats were registered in RI (up from an average of about 33,000 for the years 1995-1999).
• 91% of all boating facilities (marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs) in RI are on the Bay.

Why RI Needs a Bay Plan

• A planning and policy framework that lacks strong coordination and communication has hindered Rhode Island’s effectiveness in protecting and conserving the Bay and its watershed.
• The large amount of agencies and organizations working on Bay and watershed issues are not linked by a common vision, a commitment, an agreed-upon set of common goals, or a mechanism by which they can effectively work together to produce solutions.
• There are many key areas of Bay management, research and policy implementation, that have not had the attention they need due to this lack of a framework. These include such areas as the environment/economy nexus, the land-bay-ocean connection, a critical need for monitoring data on which to base decisions, and watershed issues that cross state lines.
• There remains the absence of a compelling and coherent voice on Bay and watershed issues to the public, the General Assembly, the Governor, the U.S. Congress, and various federal and national initiatives.