Bill
HB 7677
The bill gives CRMC lead dredging control, requires Legislative approval for 25+ acre tidal land fills/leases, and requires a Marine Resources Development Plan.
Title: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Introduced: February 11, 2026
Status: Referred to House State Government & Elections; Committee recommendations indicate passage in April 2026
Sponsors: Spe ar s, Cortvriend, McEntee, Carson, Boylan, Fogarty, Tanzi, Caldwell, Shanley, Kazarian (and co-sponsor Terri Cortvriend)
Overall purpose
- This bill redefines and clarifies the role of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) in relation to submerged lands, dredging, and long-range coastal planning, with particular emphasis on legislative involvement for large-scale or long-term leases and fillings of tidal lands (25 acres or more). It aims to strengthen public trust protections, establish a clearer framework for leases and licenses, and designate the legislature as the negotiating body for certain activities outside 25-acre thresholds.
Key provisions and changes
1) Legislative findings and coastal policy
- Restates Rhode Island’s constitutional and public-trust rationale for protecting coastal resources.
- Emphasizes comprehensive, long-range planning to preserve ecological systems as a primary guiding principle.
2) Dredging policy and CRMC as lead dredging agency
- CRMC designated as the lead state agency for dredging in tidal waters.
- CRMC to coordinate state dredging interests, adopt a statewide dredging policy, and develop a comprehensive dredge-material management plan.
- Collaboration with DEM, DOT, the Office of Health, and the EDC, plus potential support from Rhode Island Sea Grant and related institutions.
3) Leasing and licensing of submerged and filled lands
- For projects involving 25 acres or more of land filling or tidal-land leases/licenses, the General Assembly must act to approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve the lease or license (explicit legislative action required).
- CRMC shall review such requests before presenting to the General Assembly and may recommend corresponding fees.
- For all other projects, CRMC retains exclusive authority to lease submerged/fill lands and issue licenses, ensuring consistency with the public trust.
4) Fees for transatlantic communication cables
- CRMC may impose a maximum annual fee of $80,000 for any transatlantic cable landfall in Rhode Island.
- Collected fees go into the Bays, Rivers and Watersheds Fund (46-31-12.1) for related purposes.
5) Definitions and scope
- Clarifies definitions for filled land, tidal lands, and mean high water.
6) Powers and duties (CRMC) – planning, coordination, and operations
- Establishes a multi-phase resource management planning process (identify resources, evaluate, determine uses, plan programs, implement with coordination, reassess standards).
- Requires development of a Marine Resources Development Plan and Special Area Management Plans, including goals, performance measures, and implementation programs.
- Plans must be updated at least every five years and coordinated with state agencies and partners.
- Requires coordination with federal acts (e.g., Coastal Zone Management Act) and compatibility with the state guide plan.
7) Development and dredging approvals
- CRMC has exclusive below mean high water jurisdiction for development, dredging, and related activities, subject to certain department approvals and inter-agency coordination.
- Land-area authority is limited (generally within 200 feet of coastal features) and subject to plans to avoid conflicts or environmental damage.
- Specific activities with heightened oversight include large-scale power generation (>40 MW), desalination, mineral extraction, shoreline protection, wetlands, sewage treatment, and dredged-material handling near the coast.
8) Rights-of-way and public access
- CRMC designated public rights-of-way to tidal waters; maintains a file of legal status and publicly accessible maps.
- Municipalities must identify and maintain current lists of tidal water rights-of-way and display them on official maps.
9) Preexisting residential boating facilities
- CRMC can issue assent for certain pre-1985 residential boating facilities if they pose no significant risk and meet criteria (structure existed before 1985, is intact, and safe).
10) Leases of filled lands to riparian/littoral owners
- Riparian owners may lease filled lands adjacent to uplands, subject to CRMC assent and continued public trust rights (navigation, fishery, commerce).
- Leases may be up to 50 years with a possible 50-year renewal; a state fee may be set.
- Large-scale fills (25+ acres) and all tidal-land leases remain subject to legislative action.
Effective date
- The act becomes effective upon passage.
Potential impact and who is affected
Timeline and process notes
Note: The explanation section indicates the act assigns the legislature as the negotiator for activities beyond 25 acres, reinforcing legislative oversight for major tidal-land actions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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