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was that driver that mobilized resources, pulled in stakeholders, provided a focus for analysis
and discussion, and appealed to the press – making for an intensive and focused plan
development process. Updating the Ocean SAMP to prepare for potential new uses may well
require a similarly intensive process. However, mustering the resources to carry out proactive
planning may be difficult until a new use becomes imminent.
This raises another question: how will the Ocean SAMP remain relevant if there are no
new uses on the horizon to propel planning and analysis? Without new, pressing questions
driving a plan update or amendment, some interview participants questioned whether the
knowledge, relationships, and credibility holding the plan and the community of practice
together could diminish. That being said, conversations about two new uses that are addressed
but not explored in detail in the SAMP – sand and gravel mining and dredge spoil disposal – are
already underway.
1. Sand and Gravel Mining
Several interview participants pointed out that interest in sand and gravel resources is
on the rise in Rhode Island and throughout the Northeast due to recent major storm events,
beach erosion, and sea level rise. Offshore sand and gravel mining are not yet being actively
considered in the Ocean SAMP area, but CRMC director Grover Fugate anticipates that they
soon will be. “If we don’t look at that issue ahead of time, and we get a major hurricane event
that destroys the barrier areas, and the Army Corps shows up the next week with a dredge,
sitting off our shore, and says ‘Where do you want us to go?’ that’s not the time to be planning
for this. If we don’t prepare for it beforehand, then we’re going to be reacting to it on the
backside, and reactionary is not a good way to be.”
The Ocean SAMP contains only one page on sand and gravel mining – a meager amount
of information compared to its 258‐page chapter on renewable energy uses. To address this
data gap, in 2014 URI scientists began mapping sand and gravel resources in the SAMP area and
analyzing the ecological value of these areas.
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In addition, the FAB and the HAB held a joint meeting
on this issue in September 2014. These events show that the Ocean SAMP document provides
a foundation – including a process and a network of relationships – that can be set in motion
to address new issues as the need arises. “You already have a good stakeholder base established,”
commented NMFS fisheries biologist Sue Tuxbury. “You already know the people who
have to be part of those discussions. They’ve been identified and have a role. You also have
data on the areas, and though more site‐specific data may be needed for a project application,
Rhode Island is ahead of the game as far as offshore data collection and potential site
identification. Since these types of activities can potentially impact sensitive fish habitats, I would
expect we’ll be using the information collected and continue to be part of the
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stakeholder groups established in [the SAMP] process as other development proposals move
forward.”
2. Dredge Spoils Disposal
