[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6529272,"mediaKeyId","3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf","parentId",3804723,"title","Conservation commission plans outreach, partners with coastal resilience group for October joint meeting","audioSeconds",1474,"startMs",1926000,"endMs",3400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf&start=1926&end=3400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf/thumbnail_1926000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529272/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Conservation-commission-plans-outreach-partners-with-coastal-resilience-group-for-October-joint-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529272-fffa28e0293bacc828a9287a6de2d0b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776032007&Signature=baCrDjBFi~GoAhnMOQJg2ULsp7LydYRR8QHsaGizaFMSY9hhI4ZiFLH1p0IfRvSm8Y-Cf7fL-sgUkHgkLoVBHFPBkFZlgnoyZBUu01JUqzh~ALSk1e1f3HCJcVKYFsWxy5HCDapRTAeCZfcIKsI8WYEyYnUdoNg0AJRpbAiQD1p~d7feduLy7jqgeRSNyXx7uLss0ylEOeaT4epSu0SQoUe8TbKfgqsYZn5ldH9t72qRhNjxc6EtOudHJuZgKsJ1wpe0mAAclX98rSkABcEjsKY2Qh272tGrHE-zY3UKGxGYYk20SCGpkAsGkYL0VohmUavbICAm7NacwUoDtXsjDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of New Shoreham","date","2025-06-11T09:41:22Z","article","The New Shoreham Conservation Commission discussed educational outreach and agreed to pursue public-facing resources, native-plant recommendations and partnerships with a coastal resilience group for a joint meeting in October.

Commissioners proposed a range of outreach measures including a recommended native-plant list (sourced from the University of Rhode Island), handouts for public events, QR codes that link to interactive coastal-projection maps, and engagement with local school projects such as senior projects or internships to create short educational media. Amanda, a staff member, said the commission already has a webpage and could post recommended resources there.

The commission discussed collaborating with a coastal-resilience group (several members described a Nature Conservancy storyboard-style site and a Nora Clark-led interactive map) and said joint programming in early fall could include an event with booths, handouts and short presentations. Commissioners noted that if the commission plans to attend such an event as a quorum, the meeting must be posted as required by open-meeting rules; staff reminded members about notice requirements.

Members raised narrower outreach tasks such as partnering on a kid-focused ferry-screening spot, preparing concise handouts about dunes and erosion, and coordinating messaging with other town committees to avoid conflicting guidance. Commissioners suggested separating the commission’s internal checklist work from the outreach project so each can move forward without delaying the other.

The commission requested staff follow up on outreach options, contact local schools about potential student projects, and work with partners on date and logistics for a proposed October joint meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conservation Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission compiled ideas for public outreach, native-plant guidance and youth engagement and agreed to coordinate a joint meeting with a coastal-resilience group in October.","taxTitle","New Shoreham, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79696,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529276,"Commission flags slow DEM/CRMC review, raises concerns about Ambrose/ Emerald Swamp proposals",191,2890000,3081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf&start=2890&end=3081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf/thumbnail_2890000.jpg","/articles/6529276/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Commission-flags-slow-DEMCRMC-review-raises-concerns-about-Ambrose-Emerald-Swamp-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529276-9ab0f666a315742dd3027f6ec064127f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776032007&Signature=E5VArHpjsXAvhbSDEDxtxq-CtkbeyGuR8Kj5unfafZDUzW~KgozDT6LZu9FQ75GfwgxjREvXodLRaMKBRHCqjrdzXDATRdlDsdSbt15LqkCm13mx30FpFFsjN6V3Kfr-6s3q2JU913pYWbnvPLNhOoL29umHpun6vORVztQJsHjJnTlBplvXWny4wHIcyLxjsfGhHNXBk9nBsFfbeUgs0OoXNdMndykGQS917vJc02JBnElDcSxOzCfDybqSbPlaxSP-pUHqz658p2ow9In04AvTILZu6BWNjCPfYrRS9e4R5BEJPQC6fuGyDKEbL40wA~-6Mq9fZYV-btLGRhd3zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Conservation Commission voiced concern about slow processing of major DEM and CRMC applications and discussed several pending, large proposals that commissioners said could have substantial coastal and environmental impacts if approved.

Members said the Ambrose Swamp Bridge application and a larger Emerald Swamp Project involving multiple houses and a long bridge remain under DEM/CRMC review. Commissioners said they have followed the Ambrose Swamp Bridge file closely and contacted a DEM staffer monthly to check status. Commission members expressed worry that a state approval could make later town-level review more difficult even though local zoning and planning reviews still apply.

The commission discussed the Leoni property, which members said had received DEM approval and therefore will proceed through town-level processes. Commissioners emphasized that DEM or CRMC approval does not automatically guarantee town approval and that the town may still exercise independent land-use decisions, though they acknowledged state sign-off can complicate later review.

Commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring DEM and CRMC application status and to alert the commission if state action appears imminent. They also asked staff to track whether the town has options to mount appeals or other challenges if undesirable state approvals proceed.

No formal motion was made on any of these projects during the meeting; members agreed to continue monitoring and to coordinate with town officials where appropriate.","Members raised concerns about lengthy state review timelines at DEM and CRMC, discussed pending large applications including the Ambrose Swamp Bridge and the Emerald Swamp Project, and noted the town retains separate review authority even after state action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529280,"New Shoreham conservation commission revises draft application checklist, adds questions on setbacks, water and lighting",3028,141000,3169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf&start=141&end=3169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804723-8ee0650cefa47f3c0f140a1ed4b80fbf/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6529280/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-conservation-commission-revises-draft-application-checklist-adds-questions-on-setbacks-water-and-lighting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529280-5a0683461cc4b3a9cdc9b15e9591b1df/orig.mp4?Expires=1776032007&Signature=oKmPw7KBv7nYZkYiboJoq41x5lJMjI9N2H2asF28VWqSQ~0fdzb8UdMlGkqUyYYRwMNZ85AC-9nc1gTSPuiIUfi22fuY7cCwugqeb3-DNQHJBB39RfQiokEmik3TnAUQp1QL263GGKXwGZ3kL8TMwObzFQuSPRUGykKlXGypGcv0Iz0Nvi7ix~vHKfACYAvQLBnmbeOj1aPKdISuUiGC4Tg4sUqqvXnO64A3jpNS6UQTDiJwEtzIL0o4Wo5zBJrkc5iGy2EM97Bo~NFOV3alQVoIPW2mu4hmGF4lIpWoskSRTjpggCz69pOZgAQ4F4DGxu5kUk5H~1eBgHVG8k~NYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Conservation Commission reviewed a draft checklist intended to guide its advisory reviews of development and site applications, and agreed to add and clarify items on setbacks, preexisting foundations, stormwater control, irrigation and outdoor lighting.

Members said the checklist is meant as a flexible tool to prompt consideration of site-specific issues rather than a rigid requirements form. Taryn McGregor, a conservation commission member who called the meeting to order, presented the draft and summarized suggested edits from commission members and outside contributors.

The commission discussed adding a specific line to note preexisting foundations, saying some island lots contain older foundations that affect permitted rebuilding and setback calculations. John (last name not specified), a commission member, described examples of foundations that predate current setback rules and said applicants sometimes must pursue variances or special-use approvals through the town building department.

The draft already asks whether a proposal would increase wetland or coastal-feature degradation and whether required state approvals are in place. Commissioners emphasized checking whether setbacks meet Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) requirements — members noted 75 feet is the baseline for many DEM setback rules but that freshwater-wetland buffers can be larger and exceptions are common on Block Island.

Site-plan items the commission agreed to keep or clarify include existing building footprints, grading, parking surface materials (permeable versus impermeable), fencing, landscaping, lighting, and erosion-control measures during construction. The commission also discussed asking applicants whether irrigation is proposed and whether the property is on town water, citing summer stress on the island’s water supply and existing town water restrictions that are posted seasonally.

Commissioners discussed asking for basic information about expected water use (for larger or commercial projects) and expected electrical demand — for example, whether heating and major appliances will be electric — as prompts to encourage applicant awareness rather than as enforceable requirements.

On landscaping, members proposed flagging use of native-plant lists (such as a University of Rhode Island native-plant list) in recommendations and discouraging invasive plants and nonessential fertilization, while acknowledging the commission lacks direct regulatory authority to require specific plantings. Commissioners suggested posting a recommended plant list on the commission’s webpage.

Outdoor lighting was another checklist item. Commissioners noted a new lighting ordinance is pending and agreed to add a check that proposed lighting comply with dark-sky criteria and the forthcoming town ordinance.

Process questions the commission addressed included whether applicants should be expected to obtain DEM/CRMC permits before seeking the town advisory and how to collect permission to visit sites. Commissioners agreed the checklist is primarily an internal review tool fed by applications submitted to zoning/planning or to DEM/CRMC, and they asked staff to include an explicit spot to record whether commission members have permission to walk a property prior to a meeting. Staff and members noted that DEM and CRMC applications are submitted to those agencies and will not always flow automatically to town staff, so the commission may need to request those application materials when appropriate.

The commission agreed to make the edits discussed and revisit the checklist at a future meeting, aiming for formal approval after the changes are incorporated.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the minutes of its May 13 meeting by voice vote; the meeting adjournment motion passed by voice vote. The transcript records these outcomes but does not include a roll-call tally.","The New Shoreham Conservation Commission reviewed and suggested edits to a draft checklist for evaluating development applications, emphasizing preexisting foundations, DEM/CRMC approvals, native planting guidance, irrigation and outdoor lighting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation commission plans outreach, partners with coastal resilience group for October joint meeting

Commission flags slow DEM/CRMC review, raises concerns about Ambrose/ Emerald Swamp proposals

New Shoreham conservation commission revises draft application checklist, adds questions on setbacks, water and lighting