Save The Bay Statement on H6126 sub A and S998 sub A

HomeSave The Bay Statement on H6126 sub A and S998 sub A

Save The Bay strongly opposes H6126 sub A and S998 sub A, and urges all Representatives and Senators to vote no. These bills fall far short of meaningfully reforming Rhode Island’s troubled Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). Anything short of removing the Council from the structure of CRMC fails to address the underlying flaws of that structure. 

H6126 sub A and S998 sub A fall short in the following ways:

  • It will not improve accountability. Unlike agencies with an appointed Director, the Council will continue to escape accountability for bad decisions.
  • It fails to improve the efficiency of decision-making. Decisions will still be delayed by the Council’s semi-monthly meeting schedule.
  • It will continue to be difficult to find volunteers willing to serve on the Council.
  • Council meetings will still be subject to cancellation due to lack of quorum.
  • It fails to address the lack of a staff attorney to represent CRMC staff at hearings.
  • It values the supposed expertise of a volunteer Council over the expertise and experience of agency staff

The General Assembly should instead pass H5706 (Rep. Cortvriend) and S775 (Sen. McKenney) which, once and for all, removes the politically appointed Council from our coastal agency and brings it in line with other RI state agencies, and in line with the decision-making structure in place in most other coastal states.  

H5706 and S775 are supported by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha and by Save The Bay, Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, The East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers – New England Chapter, Protect Conanicut Coastline, The Committee for the Great Salt Pond, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Conservation Law Foundation, Environment Council of Rhode Island, Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island and the tens of thousands of members these organizations represent.  

By contrast, only one organization – the Rhode Island Builders Association – has publicly supported H6126 and S998. 

If the Assembly passes H6126 and S998 it will fail the people of Rhode Island. Passage of H5706 and S775 on the other hand, will give Rhode Island the coastal agency that it needs, deserves and can be proud of.