U.S. Rhode Island Field Projects

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See the summary for ocean and coastal management in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Marine Conservation Agreement (MCA) field projects provide examples of a private organization using state-issued licenses for numerous subtidal eelgrass restoration projects.

Narragansett Bay Eelgrass and Marsh Restoration

Save the Bay (STB) of Rhode Island has taken a leadership role in successful eelgrass restoration in Narragansett Bay. A majority of historic eelgrass beds have been lost in the bay—only an estimated 99.5 acres remain. STB works as a partner with local authorities and communities to transplant eelgrass to suitable locations. To conduct this work, they obtain a yearly authorization to utilize submerged lands in Narragansett Bay for restoration purposes.

STB’s authorization is not a lease, but it grants permission for a set time period to undertake eelgrass restoration on 205 acres of submerged lands in Narragansett Bay. Each year STB submits an application to the Coastal Resource Management Council of Rhode Island (CRMC) for permission to work in the bay. The standard application provided by CRMC is for construction authorization, not conservation. STB adapts the application by including an overview of the restoration effort. Since the submerged land use is not commercial, the usual permit fees are waived.

Map of restoration sites. Provided by Save the Bay.

CRMC’s authorization gives general permission to STB to work in Narragansett Bay without restrictions on the amount of land they can use or where the sites are located. The sites are chosen by STB based on where they judge transplanting will be most successful and where there will be the least conflict with other uses, such as mooring fields or marinas. Thus far, the most promising sites have not been in areas of conflicting use.

While the licenses do not give the STB formal, long-term proprietary rights to the restoration sites, they do give STB a strong bargaining position when state agencies are making decisions that may impact the sites. As such, the short-term restoration authorizations are formal while the long-term protection of the restored sites is informal, and not guaranteed.

If conflicts arise after transplanting, such as new construction that may endanger the area’s eelgrass, STB submits recommendations regarding how construction can proceed while minimizing impacts on the eelgrass. For example, a new dock was going to be built near a transplant site, which raised concern that scouring from shipping and increased sedimentation from construction could jeopardize the eelgrass’s survival. STB submitted recommendations to the shipping and construction companies on ways to reduce their impact, such as minimizing transport and construction work during low tide and employing techniques that reduce sedimentation.

Request for support from coastal towns near the sites is an important part of the authorization process. The request includes information about where the transplant sites are, what STB will do that year, and results from the previous year’s efforts. The request letter is submitted to the town manager, and when applicable, copies are also sent to the town’s conservation commission and harbormaster. Yearly letters with an overview of progress and future plans are sent to partner organizations, such as NOAA Fisheries’ Community-based Restoration Program and the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Reserve.

Transaction Summary

SCUBA divers preparing to plant eelgrass shoots. Photo provided by Save the Bay.

License	numerous (16 sites)
Area	205 acres
Date	Annual
Resource	Bay bottom
Fee	None
Location	Multiple sites in Narragansett Bay; 2007 plantings planned at Kings Beach, Newport; Prudence Island; Fort Getty, Jamestown; Sauga Point, North Kingstown; Hog Island, Portsmouth
Use	Eelgrass restoration
Duration	1 yr. New application each year.
Authority	Coastal Resource Management Council of Rhode Island

Lessons Learned

Keeping local towns informed on restoration efforts through letters and minimizing conflict with local industry maintains a positive image of the project, which is beneficial to its success.

Cost Summary

Not available

Funding Sources

Lead Organization

Save the Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, RI 02905
Tel: 401-272-3540, ext. 117
Fax: 401-273-7153
Email: stuxbury@savebay.org

Partners

Coastal Resources Management Council (see below)
NOAA Fisheries’ Community-based Restoration Program
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Volunteer SCUBA divers, kayakers, students, and local citizens

Authorizing Agency

Coastal Resource Management Council
Stedman Government Center, Suite 116
4808 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Tel: 401-783-3370
Fax: 401-783-3767

Documents

None

Publications

Roche, Ronan. 2006. An analysis of Rhode Island’s tidal and submerged land laws, policy and conservation potential. University of Rhode Island. (download pdf, 1,339k)