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