Okay,

I just recently got back from the "Conimicut Dump" meeting at Warwick Town Hall. The subject of the meeting was more about the process involved in selecting potential sites and what milestones need to be triggered as this process moves forward than purely dumping "contaminated dredge spoils" on Conimicut beach. This public meeting was chaired by Michael Tikonian, Chairman of the Costal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and included additional representation from CRMC, Army Corp of Engineers, and the RI DEM.

A brief synopsis of the meeting:

First, CRMC noted the needs placed forth by the RI legislature to find maintain navigable waterways for both commercial shipping into Providence, primarily for fuels for heating from Rhode Island and SE Mass and for the dredging of marinas and small boat navigation channels. Dredging has not taken place in any significance in Rhode Island for at least 20 and maybe even 30 years. Part of this finding is to find suitable, in-water sites to dispose of dredge spoils that are not contaminated according to EPA standards. As this is a relatively high priority, funding was finally released to search for potential sites inshore and offshore. Five inshore areas were initially selected, 2 off South County Beaches (Charlestown Breachway!!! and what looked like Moonstone Beach), one spot north of the Newport Bridge, the Conimicut site, and just south of Conimicut (at the END OF MY STREET!!). The was no deep discussion on how these 5 sites were selected but the impression was one of best guesses and darts at a board, The 2 South county spots will be used only with high quality sand for replenishing sand to the beaches. The section between Rocky Point and Conimicut (at the END OF MY STREET!!) was disqualified due to lack of depth and shellfish population (among other reasons). The other site in the East Passage and the Conimicut site are likely sites for the dumping of these spoils. Offshore dumping locations being considered were mentioned to be 40+ miles from the coast and would not be economically feasible for marinas to pay for. At all of these locations, no dredge spoils determined to be "more contaminated" than the dumpsite would be permitted. However, if the site was considered of marginal quality, it is possible that similar quality spoils could be dumped there. The determination if these dredge spoils are acceptable will be made by CRMC and the DEM/EPA based on samples taken and tested by state or private labs. This testing will be at the cost of the marinas as would any authorized dumping.

The Conimicut site has been tested by an independent engineering company, Science Applications International Corporation (www.SAIC.com), to be suitable for these spoils in an area which runs from 20 to 30+ feet in depth. Biological surveys of this area found little in the way of shellfish beds (as they majority of shell fish were found in the shallow waters less than 20 feet) and light finfish activity. This area runs north of the light and abuts the shipping channel (see map). The Conimicut site was recommended a max capacity of 330,000 cubic yards which would cover the area up to a max of about 3 feet.

It was noted that any "contaminated" spoils would be dumped in chambers dug deep into the bedrock under the Providence shipping channel and then capped (I believe the ACOE said with clean dredge) as part of another dredging project on the main shipping channels into Providence. The Providence dredge spoils to be dumped offshore are estimated at 5 million cubic yards.

Where we are at now:

Currently some applications have been made by marinas with a few more supposedly underway. The only items currently approved are the processes that will be followed in determining quality/contamination of dredge spoils and the suitability of the two final inshore sites. Although not yet final, Conimicut and the East Passage are the likely sites to receive the dredge materials. More public meetings are to be held on this subject to cover the DEM/EPA/CRMC/ACOE decisions and processes along the way.

I found tonight's meeting to be very informative and not a political sham, which many people felt tonight. I personally don't agree with this dumping but according to the state and federal agency representatives, the world might not end as we know it if it were to occur. Fortunately there are many hurdles, state and federal, that need to be met in order for this to proceed.

The full CRMC document is here (still reading it): http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly/GenMisc/crmc/execsummary.htm

More will be posted as available…

Some additional site reading:
CRMC http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly/GenMisc/crmc/crmc.htm
Army Corps of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil
DEM http://www.dem.state.ri.us

My prediction is that it will never happen.The community will never allow it.They tune out and only hear what they want to hear and never are open to reason.

Rhode islanders are notorious for this!! They said no to a casino,they said no to a football stadium,they said no to a wendys??? They say no to commercial fishing and just about anything else government brings up.

The flip is however that they all want to reap the benifits of the whatever is being proposed as long as its located on the moon!! And we wonder why half the rhode island population works in massachuttes???? Because nothing is allowed here.Im not a fan of government but, sometimes,just once every millenium they do come up with a good idea or money maker for the state and the residents always shoot it down,The resistance to change in this state is so powerfull that many new buisnes's wont even take a look here!! They fear getting shot!! And all rhode islanders wonder why there tax's are so high!! Its because no new industry is not allowed to flurish here and create jobs and releve tax burdens.Its great to have all this open space to look at but, you will be paying for it so, dont complain!!

We all want the criminals locked up but, we wont allow a new prison facility anywhere?? what gives? We want our roads repaired and when the work starts we all complain and lose tempers..I dont understand that?? The reason they do the work in the first place is because the public passed the road work bonds!! Then all the stores complain for years how the road is bad for there customers,Once the road work starts they complain that they are losing buissness?? Its a catch 22 for lots of these state officials.

I have seen these officials get beat up so bad at fishery meetings from ignorant participants that I would give them a medal for being there!!Its always the same ,Lots of showboating and yelling and never getting anyplace in the middle.Thats why I dont waste my time anymore.

This dumping is going to turn into the same thing,Ignorence fueled by short tempers and the city will give and the marinas will suffer.I really dont care what they do but, at least listen to what they have to say.

On the dumping problem,There are any countless number of marinas in the warwick area alone yet,the people who use them are the same people complaining about dumping the dredge.They want there marinas but not the dumping?? Cant have yur cake and eat it too!!

This state needs to get with the times and look at things with more of an open mind.

This dumping issue has the potential to turn into a great soap opera!! I can see it now, The diggers are going to want compensation for not being able to work, The fisherman are going to go crazy!! Certain clubs are going to look like the hero coming to the rescue,Therefore recruiting more members and padding there coffers!! Save the bay is going to say some kid got sick swimming in the "pristene" waters in barrington because of the dumping.The public is always going to think that the state is "pulling a fast one" on them no matter what they say! It will never matter.I thought the container port proposed for north kingston was a great idea,More shipping,more bussines, more tax being paid.But not to be!! We decided to save a couple of little necks instead.

As long as they let home depot grow, I will be happy as it is my favorite new toy store!!

I agree with #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, in my town we can't have a Doughnut Shop because "it spoils the rural character", yet the same rich minority has no problem with unsightly cell towers because they want to be able to talk and drive.

Now the container port.... The public approved the money, now the public is crying that they don't want the port. I get mad because our taxes are already paying the interest on the bond and will continue to and the port will probably never materialize. A sad state of affairs.

Those who cry for some water under their boats will probably cry the most about the dumping.

I know we got off the main subject somewhat but Im just amazed at how this state operates!!

Imagine approving a bond and then deciding no and still have to pay for it???

Rhode Islanders are extrememly resistant to any knid of change that will bring us into the 21st century.

I love open space,dont get me wrong but I also realize that where a buissnes could go is now just open land and I along with every other person has to pay higher taxes to keep that land open,so whats the use in complaining??

The best example I know of is the casino,I know thousands of rhode islanders cross over into CT With there rhode island earned money and spend millons in that stae helping them out.But, put a casino here? No way!! Why let us get the tax break? we can afford to be taxed to death? give our money to conneticut!! I feel bad for the native indians here not being able to start a profitable buissness because of selfeshness.It was there land in the first place??


How many people in south county depend on the industry in providence for there livelyhoods!! yet, try to put a buisness there and you get tared and featherd! "As long its not in my backyard" Why should they be different than any other rhode islander?? They tend to think that south county is another planet and there somehow better than us,Funny its only 20minutes away??

I just look at things different now that I have a family,Im more open to things,anything that can save me tax dollars is something I now take a close look at.

Take at look at your host JohnR,As an example,Lets say he makes 50000 per year in MA, In rhody the same job would only pay 30000. (I have no idea what he makes) Just an example.

This state needs a shot in the arm and definatly needs more buisness here.

I realize its a small state and can only handle so much,But some cahnges are needed in the way rhode islanders think.

What we need is intelligent, considered solutions to our problems like the dredge dump. The dump does need to be stopped if it causes any of several things:
Contamination of those waters,
Sediment run off,
Any long term negative impact of the fisheries and environment found there,
Large economic impact to the region,
Improper use of natural resources,
Selction of site due to convenience (NIMBY of the people on the commitees).

It would be beneficial if the dump had a positive impact on those waters. Like the disposal of less contaminated water which would inprove the overall quality of those waters and enhance the marine environment.

Unfortunately, many people felt that the rug was being pulled under them and it is likely that this happened but maybe not intentionaly. Last night's meeting was positive in the sense that a road map was laid out on how this would occur if it ever does happen. Unfortunately, not many people listened or understood all of what was being said. Some even wrongly associated other problems such as chloroform bacterial counts from sewage runnoff (a different problem) shutting down the swimming with the proposed dumping. Two seperate but important items. People also assumed that they were being lied to.

Now I'm not in favor of this plan but would be more receptive if the dredge materials disposed of there were of sufficiently higher quality than what exists there now with the idea being that it would be cleaner (probably not noticeably) than what is there now which isn't great to begin with. I would also be more receptive if there was an independent. peer-review to take place which would verify that the proper steps and procedures are followed and that the materials are beneficial to the site and not just "suitable".

These waters are rated on a scale of A,B,& C, with A being the best quality (minimal or no contamination), B partial contamination, and C being excessively contaminated, poor quality areas. Conimicut currently ranks as a B. The DEM states that they will not allow lesser quality materials to be dumped there but only allow dumping of the same quality classification of better. I don't want the dumping to happen if there is going to be no improvement to the local waters.

As far as this states ability to see the forest through the trees (or lack thereof) it isn't that much different than up in Mass. I haven't lived in Rhody long enough to really make up my mind. I was suprised that there seems to be more, let's say, corruption and scandals than in Mass. And I didn't think that was possible :P

But there is a lack of communication between those that are working to implement this and those that are concerned about it and those that live there.

John, You sound like you did some serious homework on this!! Im impressed!!

Sorry to have always underwhelmed you I guess :P - It is also nice to get good info instead of pulling the trigger on incomplete information. That makes a big difference...

Hey, they have some Rhody summer jobs like Beach Ranger - maybe I'll do that instead...