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City hears plans to spend $3 million to dredge Warwick Cove, notes long‑term maintenance questions
Summary
City planning and Rhode Island DEM officials described a plan to use a $3 million appropriation to dredge Warwick Cove and recommended The Nature Conservancy administer the work; councilors and residents pressed for clarity on material placement, recurring maintenance, coordination with the Harbor Master and Army Corps responsibilities.
City planning staff and a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management official outlined a $3 million plan to dredge Warwick Cove on a proposal that would engage The Nature Conservancy as program administrator.
Tom Kravitz, City Planning Director, told the council the funds were available to “execute this project, which is the dredging of Warwick Cove,” and described The Nature Conservancy’s scope and schedule. Megan Depreet, manager of DEM’s Office of Planning and Development, said the state budgeted money for dredging a portion of Warwick Cove and recommended that the city act as a pass‑through recipient so DEM’s processes would not slow the work. Depreet said she has worked with The Nature Conservancy on similar projects and described the organization as “very conservation minded, looking at natural resilience, building opportunities every step of the way.”
Councilors and residents focused on where the dredged material would be deposited and whether the city could avoid future short‑interval re‑dredging. The chair and other members said they had seen sand migration at the Oakland Beach jetty and emphasized that recurring maintenance—perhaps every five years—would be required unless a long‑term solution is found. Kravitz and DEM staff said placement decisions will be a major cost driver and that The Nature Conservancy will vet options; Kravitz added that the contract forbids seeking additional funds beyond the $3,000,000 cap without voiding the agreement.
Resident Donna Travis (Ward 6) urged the council to include dredging near the Oakland Beach jetty to reduce sand over the handicapped boat ramp and to preserve Warwick’s coastline, noting the ramp’s daily public use.
The presenters said coordination with the Harbor Master and required public hearings will be part of the project schedule. No formal contract award or final vote on engaging The Nature Conservancy appears in the committee transcript; council members requested additional documentation about material placement, long‑term maintenance plans and coordination with state and federal agencies before a final commitment.
