Local Case Studies

Pam Rubinoff URI Coastal Resources Center

RI Sea Grant

Project Planning

October, 2013 Bristol and Warren

May, 2013 – Regional Meeting

Engaging Communities

Opportunities & Challenges

Palmer River Barrington/Warren

Foster Cove Charlestown

The Great Creek Jamestown

Jamestown – The Great Creek (Zeek’s Creek)

High Tides Affect our Communities

Today

6/2/12 B. Lombardi

The Great Creek/Round Marsh

10/26/11 G. Martin

6/3/12 R. Calabro North Road

Jamestown – Current Conditions

The Great Creek

Water Treatment Plant

Turnpike & Bridge Authority

Golf Course

Agriculture/open space

Jamestown Model Results – 1’ SLR

The Great Creek

Jamestown Model Results – 3’ SLR

The Great Creek

Jamestown Model Results – 5’ SLR

The Great Creek

Jamestown Issues & Opportunities

Road floods now with extreme tides. Consider elevated

causeway as a future design for state road

Discuss golf course management with property owner

Relocate access to water treatment plant. Would need to work with TNC/LT change easements for access to the

water treatment plant.

Town bought development rights for farmland. Consider alternative

management practices for areas adjacent to wetlands

The Great Creek

Turnpike & Bridge Authority – protect area for continued use.

Barrington/Warren – Palmer River

Barrington/Warren – Model Results 1’SLR

Barrington/Warren – Model Results 3’SLR

Barrington/Warren – Model Results 5’SLR

“Roads shortening”, Properties flooding.

Densely developed area not a priority for wetland

retreat. Protect/accommodate

property for inundation.

Much of this land is protected or has easements. Future migration

will be possible

Barrington/Warren – Issues & Opportunities

Large wetland complex – state priority for

protection, restoration. Assess options for

undeveloped parcels for future wetland

migration

Protected fresh water wetlands transition to salt

marsh

Swansea Country Club in MA – Turf

management or reconfiguration

Charlestown – Foster Cove

1 2

1: Brackish wetland on inland side of Wildflower Road; culve beneath road

2: Salt marsh with standing water in high marsh

Charlestown Model Results – 1’ SLR

Charlestown Model Results – 3’ SLR

Charlestown Model Results – 5’ SLR

Charlestown Model Results Future at 5’ SLR

Charlestown Issues & Opportunities

All private roads, managed by Foster Cove Association. Mostly primary

homes. Identify alternate routes for evacuation and high tides in short-

term.

Identify opportunities for protection of undeveloped

land. Potential link with new pond access

USFWS management area. Review restoration plans and

wildlife management practices

Celebrate!

http://www.crmc.ri.gov/news November 10th