2024 -- S 3149

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LC006228

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION (DOA) TO

UNDERTAKE A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE COASTAL RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

     

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, DiMario, Euer, and Gu

     Date Introduced: June 10, 2024

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is the "Ocean State" with 400 miles of shoreline along the

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Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's beautiful shorelines are enjoyed by residents and tourists

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alike; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island relies upon these shorelines and coastal waters to support the

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State's economy from its vibrant tourism sector to the seafood industry; and

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     WHEREAS, In order to preserve and protect the State's coastal waters, the Rhode Island

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Coastal Resources Management Council and Department of Environmental Management work

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prudently to ensure that the State's shorelines are maintained and properly developed; and

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     WHEREAS, The structure of these entities must be reviewed to determine if their

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structures meet the current needs and those of the future; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby respectfully requests

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that the Department of Administration (DOA) undertakes a review and analysis of the Coastal

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Resources Management Council in order to determine:

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     • The cost-benefit analysis if the Coastal Resources Management Council became a

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department of the State;

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     • The cost-benefit analysis if the Coastal Resources Management Council merged with

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the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management;

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     • An analysis of the current operating structure of the Coastal Resources Management

 

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Council and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to determine how the

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Coastal Resources Management Council would operate as a department of the State and whether

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overlaps in authority would be present between the two departments;

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     • An analysis of the organization structure, staffing, and resources required for the

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Coastal Resources Management Council to operate as a standalone department of the State;

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     • An analysis of the organization structure, staffing, and resources required if the Coastal

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Resources Management Council is merged with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental

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Management; and

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     • What federal approvals are required from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

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Administration (NOAA) for the Coastal Resources Management Council to become a department

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of the State or merge with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management; and be it

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further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests DOA to develop recommendations as to

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how the State should proceed with the Coastal Resources Management Council; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby further requests the DOA to report its findings and

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recommendations to the Senate on or before February 1, 2025; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of

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Administration.

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LC006228

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