2012 -- S 3028

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LC02719

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPING A STATEWIDE SHELLFISH

MANAGEMENT PLAN

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Walaska, Sheehan, Algiere, and Bates

     Date Introduced: May 31, 2012

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s marine waters support a rich array of shellfish resources,

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including an abundance of bay quahogs and soft-shelled clams (steamers), as well as mussels,

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whelks, and recovering populations of oysters and bay scallops; and

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     WHEREAS, The Ocean State possesses these precious resources that are of enormous

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importance, stemming from their ecological value and their value as renewable natural resources

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that provide food, recreation, jobs, income, and other economic, social, and cultural benefits; and

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     WHEREAS, Aquaculture operations are increasingly important contributors to the food

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system and the local economy, yet Rhode Island makes only a minor contribution to the annual

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one billion dollar United States Aquaculture Industry, ranking at or near the bottom among all

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states in terms of aquaculture production; and

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     WHEREAS, The ongoing and emerging shellfish restoration initiatives offer significant

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opportunities for broad public benefits, but the initiatives are hampered by the non-existence of a

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statewide plan or strategy in Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), as

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the chief steward of the State’s natural resources, coordinated with the Rhode Island Marine

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Fisheries Council, the Rhode Island fishing community, and the general public to develop and

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implement commercial and recreational fishery management programs; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby recognizes and supports interagency collaborations that further Rhode Island’s shellfish

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investment strategies for continued growth and for diversification into new opportunities to

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ensure long-term viability and sustainability of the industry; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate supports the work of the Department of Environmental

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Management (DEM), in collaboration with the Coastal Management Resources Management

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Council (CMRC), the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH), and the University of Rhode

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Island, in developing a comprehensive state shellfish management plan that includes ways to

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further grow the Rhode Island industry, including a review of current regulations as they relate to

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shellfish harvesting restoration projects and permitting processes; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this plan shall guide and support regulatory and management

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coordination and consistency among state agencies, including DEM, DOH, and CRMC, other

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public entities, municipalities, researchers, developers, and environmentalists within Rhode

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Island’s state waters, to address short- and long-term strategies for the restoration and expansion

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of Rhode Island’s shellfish resources and promotion of job creation and environmental

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stewardship; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mark Gibson, Deputy Chief, Division of Fish

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and Wildlife of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Grover Fugate,

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Executive Director of the Coastal Resources Management Council.

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LC02719

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