Commission raises concerns after DEM notification arrives after 15‑day comment window

Town staff told the New Shoreham Conservation Commission on March 11 that the commission received a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management notice for a proposed building project on Assessor’s Plat 2, Lot 2‑2 after the agency’s 15‑day comment period had closed, leaving the commission unable to provide comments.

Amanda (town staff) said the letter of notification was dated Feb. 17 but that she did not receive it until the week of the meeting. Commissioners said they had no opportunity to review or site‑inspect the parcel during the short period and asked Amanda to contact DEM for clarification and to ask whether the comment period could be extended or whether there is any recourse given the late receipt.

Commissioners noted that other DEM comment periods on freshwater projects had been 45 days and that a 15‑day window is unusually short for a commission that typically inspects sites. The commission agreed to draft a memo to the town zoning office to inform zoning staff that the commission had not been able to review the application and to ask zoning to monitor the project closely if DEM acts before the town is able to comment.

Commission members requested several specific follow‑ups: confirmation of the original mailing date, an explanation for the 15‑day period, whether other town boards received timely notice, and whether DEM or the applicant would accept delayed comments. Town staff said she would pursue a records request and contact DEM and would add zoning staff to future notifications to reduce the chance of missed mailings.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the matter but instructed staff to create a paper trail of communications with DEM and zoning and to report back at the next meeting.