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Tiffany C. Smythe, Ph.D.Coastal Resources Center/RI Sea Grant,
University of Rhode Island Graduate School of OceanographyDecember 14, 2016
Image: Deepwater Wind
CRC: Building community
resilience through:
– Planning and policy development
– Outreach
– Applied research
– Building local capacity
I. THE RI OCEAN SPECIAL AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
The ocean state – an ocean leader!
CRC: 40 years of special area management planning
1983: Providence Harbor SAMP
1984: Salt Pond Region SAMP
1986: Narrow River SAMP
2005: Greenwich Bay SAMP
2007 Metro Bay SAMP
2009: Aquidneck Island SAMP
2010: Ocean SAMP
Ongoing: “Beach” SAMP
It all began around 2008…
• State renewable energy mandate: 15% by 2020
• Governor Carcieri: “Spin, baby, spin”
• Wind farm developer: Deepwater Wind
“Climate Change:
adapt, mitigate, or suffer”
-Grover Fugate, RI
coastal management program director
Ocean SAMP Goals
1. Foster a properly functioning ecosystem.
2. Promote and enhance existing uses.
3. Encourage marine-based economic development.
4. Build a framework for coordinated decision-making.
August 2008
Ocean SAMP TimelineAugust 2008 – October 2010
Step 1: Issue Identification and Assessment
August 2009
AdoptionStep 2: SAMP Preparation
October 2010
Step 3: Formal Adoption (May 2010 – Oct 2010)
• Formal hearings and reviews of the draft SAMP
• Adoption of the SAMP by CRMC
• Submit to federal agencies for approval
Step 2: SAMP Preparation (Aug 2009 – April 2010)
• Review boundaries and goals
• Develop the objectives and policies for each zone and SAMP component
• Draft SAMP chapters
• Identify research gaps
Step 1: Issue Identification/ Assessment (Aug 2008–July 2009)
•Define boundaries, goals and principles
•Design public process
•Research ecosystem features and uses
•Identify issues/concerns, opportunities
•Prepare draft ecosystem and use zone maps
Ocean SAMP Research
• Wind resources
• Marine mammals and birds
• Fisheries uses
• Physical oceanography
• Ecosystem interactions
• Sediment and benthic habitat
• Cultural resources
• Acoustics and electromagnetic effects
• Meteorology
• Engineering
• Marine transportation uses
• Recreation and tourism uses
Research Topics Include...
Based on a literature review, most seaducks typically forage in water 5-25 m deep
(shown in green 5-20 m (16 - 66’) and pink 20-25 m (66 – 82’).
Ocean SAMP Stakeholder Process
• Ongoing, intensive process from Day 1
• Regular stakeholder meetings
• Focused outreach to key user groups
• Extensive public education and outreach
• Extensive public review and comment process
Stakeholder group: 50 members
• Commercial fishermen• Recreational fishermen• Recreational boaters• Maritime industry• Aquaculture industry• Recreational users
• Environmental NGOs
• Academics
• Narragansett Indian Tribe
• Rhode Island towns• Regional planning councils• Chambers of commerce• Tourism councils and groups
• Historical preservation organizations
• Trade unions
• Energy advocacy groups
• Rhode Island utilities
Stakeholder Meetings
• Monthly meetings, volunteer facilitator
• Researcher Presentations:Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles of BI Sound, RI Sound, and Nearby Waters, Dr. Robert Kenney
• Chapter Presentations:Commercial and Fisheries Resources and Uses, D. Beutel, S. Smith, and T. Smythe
• General Discussion, Q&A, News, and Updates
Ocean SAMP Outcomes: Policies and Regulations
• Renewable Energy Zone
• State regulations for offshore wind
• Areas of Particular Concern
• Areas Designated for Preservation
• Geographic Location Description – federal consistency
• Area of Mutual Interest –MOU with Massachusetts
• Fishermen’s Advisory Board
• Habitat Advisory Board
II. THE BLOCK ISLAND WIND FARM
Images and Logo: Deepwater Wind
• Five 6 MW turbines (30 MW total)
• Power for 17,000 homes
• New cable to mainland
• $290 million financing
• First proposed: 2008
• Permitting completed: 2014
• Construction completed: 2015-2016
• Operational: two days ago! - Dec. 12, 2016
Permitting: Ocean SAMP (CRMC) but many other agencies too!
National Historic Preservation Act
RI State Properties Committee
• 4 state agencies: CRMC, DEM, DOT, SHPO
• 7 federal agencies: BOEM, EPA, FAA, USFWS, NMFS, USACE, USCG
• 2 Indian tribes: Narragansett Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe
• 2 municipalities: Narragansett, New Shoreham (BI)
“All permits” means:
Images: Deepwater Wind
The OpportunityThe Block Island Wind Farm
is the first step to larger
regional projects.
III. IN PROGRESS: BUILDING AN OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND OUTREACH PORTFOLIO
The CRC Approach to Offshore Wind
• BOEM contract – Indicators of wind farm effects on recreation and tourism
Social Science Research
• Baird Symposium –social research agenda for offshore wind energyWorkshops
• The Greene School – youth-to-youth outreach and educationOutreach
• All of the above!Planning and Policy Development
2016-2018: “Identifying Indicators of Offshore Wind Benefits: An Analysis of the Effects of the
Block Island Wind Farm on RI Recreation and Tourism Activities”
BOEM Project Number M16PC00016
“The Social Dimensions of
American Offshore Wind Energy:
Towards a Research Agenda”
2016 RI Sea Grant Baird Science Symposium
2016 and onward: Collaboration with The Greene School
Thank you!
Tiffany Smythe, Ph.D.tiffany@crc.uri.edu
401.874.6645
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