Updated 1/13/10 hk Version 4.4 City of Newport Comprehensive Harbor Management Plan The Newport Waterfront Commission Prepared by the Harbor Management Plan Committee (A subcommittee of the Newport Waterfront Commission) Version 1 “November 2001” -Is the original HMP as presented by the HMP Committee Version 2 “January 2003” -Is the original HMP after review by the Newport . Waterfront Commission with the inclusion of their Appendix K - Additions/Subtractions/Corrections and first CRMC Recommended Additions/Subtractions/Corrections (inclusion of App. K not 100% complete) -This copy adopted by the Newport City Council -This copy received first “Consistency” review by CRMC Version 3.0 “April 2005” -This copy is being reworked for clerical errors, discrepancies, and responses to CRMC‟s review 3.1 -Proofreading – done through page 100 (NG) - Inclusion of NWC Appendix K – completely done (NG) -Inclusion of CRMC comments at Appendix K- only “Boardwalks” not done (NG) 3.2 -Work in progress per CRMC‟s “Consistency . Determination Checklist” : From 10/03/05 meeting with K. Cute : From 12/13/05 meeting with K. Cute 3.3 -Updated Approx. J. – Hurricane Preparedness as recommend by K. Cute (HK Feb 06) 1/27/07 3.4 - Made changes from 3.3 : -Comments and suggestions from Kevin Cute -Corrects a few format errors -This version is eliminates correction notations -1 Dec 07 Hank Kniskern 3.5 -2 March 08 revisions made by Hank Kniskern and suggested Kevin Cute of CRMC. Full concurrence. -Only appendix charts and DEM water quality need update. Added Natural Resources Areas Appendix K (JO) 4.3 State Plane Coordinates and GPS for mooring areas, Update Change Appendix (Aug 18, 2008 - HK) 4.4 Final version incorporating City Council changes 1/26/10 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………….1 Definition and purpose ..................................................................................................................1 Methodology .................................................................................................................................2 Vision Statement ...........................................................................................................................3 Foreword .......................................................................................................................................4 History...........................................................................................................................................5 Plan Element GOALs ...................................................................................................................6 Summary of Significant Recommendations .................................................................................8 SUMMARY OF GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS, by PLAN ELEMENT………….…………………………………………………………………….9 A. MARITIME MANAGEMENT................................................................................................9 B. PUBLIC ACCESS..................................................................................................................11 C. CRMC WATER TYPE / DEM WATER QUALITY ............................................................18 D. MOORING AND ANCHORAGE MANAGEMENT ...........................................................25 E. HAZARD MITIGATION AND SAFETY .............................................................................34 F. FACILITIES ...........................................................................................................................37 HARBOR MANAGEMENT ELEMENTS………………………………….………….40 A. MARITIME MANAGEMENT Element ...............................................................................40 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 40 2. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................40 2a. Inventory…………………………………………………………………………..40 2b. Statutory Authority………………………………………………………………...40 3. ISSUES AND NEEDS ANALYSIS ..........................................................................................41 4. GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS ......................................................41 B. PUBLIC ACCESS ELEMENTS…………………………………………………51 1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................51 2. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................51 2A. Inventory…………………………………………………………………………..52 2B. Statutory Authority………………………………………………………………. .64 3. ISSUES AND NEEDS ANALYSIS ..........................................................................................55 4: GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................................................57 C. CRMC WATER TYPE / DEM WATER QUALITY Element ..............................................68 1. INTRODUCTION: ...................................................................................................................68 2. BACKGROUND: .....................................................................................................................68 2A. Inventory………………………………………………………………………….69 2B. Statutory Authority………………………………………………………………. 83 3. ISSUES AND NEEDS ANALYSIS:……………………………………………………83 4. GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:……………………………84 ii D. MOORING AND ANCHORAGE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT………………… 91 1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………..91 2. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................91 2A. Inventory………………………………………………………………………..…91 2B. Statutory Authority………………………………………………………………..93 3. ISSUES AND NEEDS ANALYSIS ..........................................................................................94 4. GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................................................97 E. HAZARD MITIGATION AND SAFETY ELEMENT……………………………… 122 1. INTRODUCTION: .................................................................................................................122 2. BACKGROUND: ...................................................................................................................122 2A. Inventory………………………………………………………………………...131 2B. Statutory Authority……………………………………………………………...134 3. ISSUES AND NEEDS ANALYSIS: ......................................................................................125 4. GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: ..................................................126 F. FACILITIES ELEMENT………………………………………………………….……131 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................131 2. BACKGROUND .....................................................................................................................131 2A. Inventory……...……………………………………………………………….…137 2B. Statutory Authority……………………………………………………………… 140 3. ISSUES AND NEEDS ANALYSIS……………………………………………………134 4. GOALS, POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………….135 APPENDIX A – Charts and Maps……………………….…………………………… 142 APPENDIX B – Issues raised at initial public meeting………………….……….…. 143 APPENDIX C –Visitors to Newport Harbor Survey Summary………………….…....145 APPENDIX D –Mooring Lessee Surveys Summaries………………………….….. ..151 1. Private Mooring Holder Survey Summary………………………………… 151 2. Commercial Mooring Holder Survey Summary……………………………160 APPENDIX E – Reserved for Future Use…………………………………………..… 169 APPENDIX F – Inventory of Public Access to the Water……………..……………... 174 APPENDIX G – Proposed Ordinance for Coastal Waters and Harbor Areas …........ 202 APPENDIX H – Acronyms and Glossary of Terms…………………………..………. 219 APPENDIX I – Sources Consulted………………………….…………………………. 224 APPENDIX J - Hurricane Preparedness Plan …………………………………..…......233 APPENDIX K – Natural Resources Areas…………………………………………….240 APPENDIX L- Waterfront Commission Edits……………………………………….....244 iii INTRODUCTION DEFINITION AND PURPOSE A comprehensive harbor management plan is a method to establish a community‟s goals, objectives and policies for the public and private uses of its tidal waters. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) mandates all Rhode Island coastal communities to develop and submit formal Harbor Management Plans to address all waterfronts and shore-side permitted uses, water quality, safety issues and rules for their management. CRMC requires that specific elements be studied and rules and recommendations developed for the plan so conflicting and overlapping use issues can be resolved equitably. An inventory of harbor resources and facilities is also to be included to aid in future planning and conflict resolution. Implementation programs, outlining strategies for achieving and enforcing goals and policies in the plan are required. The required plan elements are: Public Access Water Quality Mooring Management Storm Preparedness Communities may also include other elements of concern in their plan. Title 46, Section 4 of the General Laws of Rhode Island grants municipalities the authority to establish Harbormaster ordinances and rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of their harbors. The Harbor Management Plan must be consistent with rules of the applicable agencies of the State of Rhode Island and the Federal Government.