CRMC Votes For SK Sea Wall, Against
Ocean Mist
In a 9-0
vote, with one abstention the Coastal Resource
Management Council in
reconsidering the application of the Town of
Executive Director, Grover
Fugate presented a four-prong approach for dealing with the critical erosion
issues in Matunuck and other Rhode Island Coastal areas. The first prong, of
immediate concern dealt with the “imminent peril situation” in Matunuck,
presented by Town Manager, Stephen Alfred as a public health and safety concern
for residents should Matunuck
Beach Road infrastructure fail.
Calling upon the full
Council to take action in support of public safety, Fugate proffered his plan.
“It is an attempt to try and deal with the problem that is immediately before
us.” Implemented as a stop gap measure, the 202 ft. armament was designed to shore
up the critical segment of road presently exposed by severe and sustained
erosion.
In his memo, dated May 4,
2012 to the Council in anticipation of the vote, Fugate cautioned, “Even if the
town were to agree on some of the alternatives suggested at the hearings and in
the staff reports, there is an implementation lag of 18-36 months. The road is
already in a compromised state and one good coastal storm could significantly
damage it.”
Attorney William Landry,
representing Kevin Finnegan, owner of the Ocean Mist, as well as Francis
O’Brien who owns Tara ’s Pub, just east of the
Ocean Mist property pleaded with the council to consider additional measures.
Suggesting soft measures and a united approach to resolving the Town’s issue,
Landry acknowledged the existent conditions.
“There is a vulnerable area
west of the Ocean Mist at which the most severe erosion is occurring. Frankly,
it may well be occurring because of the location of the Ocean Mist and the
swirling effect of the water collecting in that area. That’s the area 40 ft.
maybe tops where everyone is saying, we’re getting real close to the road
here.”
Donald J. Packer, attorney
for residents and abutters spoke in support of the Town’s proposal and
presented the Council with the additional support of the trustees responsible
for the parcel of land directly adjacent to the sheet pile wall
placement. Addressing his colleague’s indication that the Town didn’t
have the ability or own the land south of the proposed armament, seaward,
assured the council that his clients were on board. “I think that we can maybe
put on the table in dealing with the condemnation issue, [they] are prepared to
work with the Town and what’s necessary with the town to do what they need to
do.”
Packer’s
clients have been in previous discussion with Finnegan regarding a possible
purchase of the property adjacent to the Ocean Mist on the west. “Apparently there
is nothing on the table at this point other than the Town’s proposal. My
clients at this point are concerned that the road will be lost and are asking
that this be approved.”
Several environmental
advocacy groups appeared to testify before the council with each voicing its
concern regarding hardened structures and while acknowledging the need for
immediate action in the case of Matunuck.
The special exception
granted and application approved, the question of time still weighs heavy on
the residents of Matunuck. The Town will need to move through the necessary
stages of approval with the State Department of Transportation in advancing the
project. Utility lines, approved for relocation will be moved to the northern
side of Matunuck Beach Road
prior to commencing construction.
The Town’s timeline, per
Alfred is for construction to begin the first week in September. Hurricane
season will be underway and the hope is to have the project complete before
another major storm wages war with what remains of the beach and headlands
adjacent to the road.
CRMC recommendations moving
forward include a comprehensive Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) for Rhode Island ’s
shoreline, monitoring and enforcement in designated areas and a cooperative
effort of all individuals concerned with ongoing protection and mitigation
efforts for the State’s barrier beaches.