Press & News

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Projo — Why Save The Bay is blasting coastal agency over Quidnessett seawall

By Antonia Noori Farzan — The advocacy group Save The Bay is pushing the Coastal Resources Management Council to take action against Quidnessett Country Club's illegal seawall, and is questioning why the council hasn't done so already. The CRMC voted to pursue enforcement actions on Sept. 23, but to date no further action has been taken, according to Save The Bay.

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Projo — Rhode Island country club built an illegal seawall, yet hasn't fixed it in two years

By Alex Kuffner — Quidnessett Country Club has been granted a 30-day extension to submit a plan for removing an illegal seawall. The country club's proposed plan involves using potentially non-compliant plastic fiber bags for shoreline stabilization. Disagreements persist between the club and the Coastal Resources Management Council regarding the extent of restoration required. Environmental advocates express frustration over the ongoing delays and lack of action.

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Projo — A storm damaged his beachfront property. Why is he suing over RI's shoreline access law?

By Katie Mulvaney — Rhode Island beachfront property owner David Welch is suing the state's Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) over public access requirements for storm damage repairs. Welch argues the CRMC's requirement that he provide public access up to 10 feet inland of the high tide line is an unconstitutional taking of his property. This is Welch's second lawsuit against the state regarding beach access; the first challenged the 2023 shoreline access law and is pending before the Supreme Court.

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RI PBS — Rhode Island Senate Confirms Barrington Foot and Ankle Surgeon to CRMC

By Nancy Levin — The embattled Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has had a tough time recruiting new members. The 10-member panel has been four seats shy of a full roster since December — not unusual in recent years. Controversy surrounding the appointed regulatory body did not dissuade Dr. Michael Reuter, a Barrington podiatric surgeon and avid sailor, from seeking an appointment to the council.

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ecoRI News — CRMC Council Loses Member to Resignation, Reducing Coastal Decision-Making Body to 6

By Rob Smith — The state’s coastal regulating agency is already starting the new year on the wrong foot. The Coastal Resources Management Council quietly announced last month that longtime council member and Little Compton resident Donald Gomez was resigning. Gomez, who prior to his professional retirement worked as an electric engineer for the Navy in Newport, had been serving in some capacity on CRMC’s executive panel since 2007.

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