Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

The Council meeting addressed several proposed regulations, all of which were recommended for adoption by consent, including electronic negative reporting due dates, reporting requirements upon issuance of a new license with vessel/gear sale, prioritization categories for new license issuance, and clarification of restricted finfish species. The Council also recommended adoption for the Horseshoe Crab Closure at New and Full Moons. Specific motions were passed regarding biomedical horseshoe crab harvest prohibition in coastal salt ponds, setting an exit:entry ratio for the Unlimited Finfish Endorsement, recommending a commercial green crab license, and defining the Jonah crab claw possession limit development timeline. The Council voted to require the Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate renewal cycle to be ten years instead of five and recommended adoption for the transfer application period after vessel sale. Regarding shellfish management, the Council recommended allowing the oyster harvest prohibition to expire in November 2025 for Bissell Cove/Fox Island and extending the prohibition until December 2029 for Quonochontaug Pond. Old business included confirmation that transitioning from the Dockside Sales endorsement to the Direct Sales Dealer License had no unintended consequences, and discussion on reevaluating Cobia management regions and black sea bass minimum size regulations. The Chair announced proposed policy changes for the Council would be reviewed at the next meeting.

This document outlines a comprehensive management strategy for elderly and mature trees. It focuses on assessing and managing decay and structural integrity, mitigating risks associated with declining trees, and developing a long-term plan. Key strategic areas include conducting tree inventories, implementing immediate risk mitigation, prioritizing the health and structural soundness of mature trees, and maintaining community character through strategic maintenance and replacement while considering budget constraints.

This document serves as a project profile template for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, designed for award years 2022 and forward. It outlines the necessary information required to fulfill the goals and objectives of individual projects, covering organization details, project title, duration, purpose, objectives, beneficiaries, and detailed measurable outcomes across various categories such as increasing consumption, expanding access, enhancing food safety, improving pest control, developing new seed varieties, expanding research, and promoting environmental sustainability. The template also specifies budget narrative requirements for expenses like personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual services.

Key discussions included the review of aquaculture applications. One proposal involved Thomas Blank reconfiguring existing lease parcels into a single floating gear site, which was recommended for consistency with marine fisheries exploitation. A second application from Bradley Boehringer sought to expand a lease in Dutch Harbor with new floating gear, prompting discussion about the density of the proposed layout and the appropriation of public trust waters for partially utilized space. The panel also reviewed and adopted a winter harvest schedule for Greenwich Bay Subareas 1 & 2. For Bissel Cove/Fox Island and Bristol Harbor management areas, default schedules will be retained as no motions were made. A significant portion of the meeting addressed proposed revisions to the Marine Fisheries Council Advisory Panel Policy, focusing on clarifying quorum, establishing term limits, and ensuring balanced representation. The aquaculture policy discussion reiterated the SAP's narrow focus on fisheries compatibility, while also agreeing to include public comments submitted to CRMC in future SAP materials. Finally, an update was provided regarding the Providence River Dredging and Shellfish Relocation plan, including USACE coordination on shellfish relocation prior to dredging.

The meeting focused on the commercial harvest schedule for the Providence River, with extensive discussion regarding harvest proposals, including specific day caps, opening times, and bushel limits for Summer/Fall 2025 and Winter 2026. Motions were passed to recommend the commercial summer/fall and December 2025/winter 2026 harvest schedule, as well as the commercial shoredigging harvest schedule for 2025. The recreational harvest schedule remains the default. An update was provided on the DEM OWR Shellfish Program Water Quality for Growing Area 3-3 (Portsmouth), noting improved bacteria levels and the opportunity to classify the area. The panel discussed transplant locations for 2025 and the need for Neoplasia testing. Additionally, there was a call for the Department to take action on recommendations from the quahog commission report, specifically regarding increasing transplants, funding, nutrient monitoring, and developing a dedicated advisory board.