Press & News
Newport This Week — Middletown Coastal Access Alliance Signs Memorandum with CRMC
By Zane Wolfgang — The Middletown Coastal Access Alliance announced at a Dec. 9 meeting that it will officially steward six public rights-of-way in Middletown through an agreement with the state Coastal Resources Management Council.
ecoRI — Despite Concerns, CRMC Approves Seawall Reinforcement at Narragansett Club
By Rob Smith — The beach around Narragansett’s Dunes Club is going to look a lot different this winter. The historic, private beach club obtained approvals from coastal regulators to reinforce its 350-foot-long seawall against erosion, much to the consternation of environmental groups concerned about shoreline access.
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.
Warwick Beacon — In search of a ‘common-sense solution’
By John Howell — Danelle DeBye, who has filed suit against Safe Harbor marinas to ensure that she as well as emergency-response vehicles have access to her Arnold’s Neck home is hopeful the matter can be resolved without court action.
Warwick Beacon — CRMC sees crimped shore access on Arnold’s Neck
By John Howell — … And Bennett knows the names of many neck residents, pointing out they have lived there for generations and have always accessed the bay from what is now a Safe Harbor marina. But that doesn’t appear to be the case any longer.
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.
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.
GoLocalProv — Trump Administration Zeros Out Funds to Replenish Beach Sand in RI
Rhode Island, like the rest of the nation, will receive zero federal funding to restore beach sand when storms sweep it away. In recent years, the damage done has been severe. And the impact has been costly. Sometimes the bill has been in the millions.
Rhode Island Current — CRMC gives Quidnessett another 30 days to submit shoreline restoration plan
By Nancy Lavin — Extension comes after North Kingstown country club appeals decision in Superior Court
Rhode Island Current — Quidnessett Country Club files suit against CRMC, alleging coastal panel broke its own rules
By Nancy Lavin — A dispute between state coastal regulators and Quidnessett Country Club has finally landed in court, with the North Kingstown country club filing an appeal in Rhode Island Superior Court on July 9 — one day before it was due to turn in a restoration plan for its coastline.
Projo — Is RI's coastal agency broken? Why former members are speaking out for reform.
By Alex Kuffner — When Catherine Robinson Hall was appointed to a seat on the Coastal Resources Management Council in 2022, she represented something different for the powerful state agency that controls development along the Rhode Island shoreline…
WPRI 12 — RI lawmakers debate multiple Coastal Resources Management Council reform bills
By Emily Brennan — Some state legislators want to restructure the council that oversees Rhode Island’s coastline, but there’s a debate over how it should be reformed.
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.
Projo — RI country club loses fight to change rules over illegal seawall. What comes next?
By Antonio Noori Farzan — The Coastal Resources Management Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to deny Quidnessett Country Club's attempt to change the rules for its illegal seawall. There was no discussion before the 6-0 vote.
WRPI — RI Beach Erosion Commission considering solutions as state loses 2 feet of land each year
By Kate Wilkinson — With powerful storms battering local beaches, a newly-formed commission is trying come up with solutions for the urgent problems erosion is creating for Rhode Island’s coastline.
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.
Projo — RI couple's lawsuit challenges whether CRMC has say over homeowners' seawalls. Why it matters.
By Antonia Noori Farzan — A blanket ban on new seawalls and rock revetments along certain parts of the coastline means that homeowners have limited ability to defend their properties against erosion. A class action lawsuit seeks to overturn that policy, which would have major implications for Rhode Island's coastline.
The Public’s Radio — House commission set to look for solutions to Rhode Island’s eroding beaches
By Alex Nunez — As rising seas and stronger storms, due at least in part to climate change, are carrying off tons of sand from Rhode Island beaches, a legislative commission tasked with developing ways to slow beach erosion met at the State House for the first time on Monday.
WRPI — Narragansett beachfront homeowners battle erosion after winter storm surge
By Elizabeth Turley, Erica Ricci — Narragansett is home to several of Rhode Island’s most picturesque beaches, but residents say a series of winter storms left their coastal homes severely damaged.
Rhode Island Current — Forced to submit a plan to remove illegal seawall, Quidnessett still backs water reclassification
By Nancy Lavin — Country club restoration plans appear ‘incomplete,’ says Save the Bay