Tiffany C. Smythe, Ph.D. Coastal Resources Center/RI Sea Grant, University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography December 14, 2016 Image: Deepwater Wind CRC: Building community resilience through: – Planning and policy development – Outreach – Applied research – Building local capacity I. THE RI OCEAN SPECIAL AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN The ocean state – an ocean leader! CRC: 40 years of special area management planning 1983: Providence Harbor SAMP 1984: Salt Pond Region SAMP 1986: Narrow River SAMP 2005: Greenwich Bay SAMP 2007 Metro Bay SAMP 2009: Aquidneck Island SAMP 2010: Ocean SAMP Ongoing: “Beach” SAMP It all began around 2008… • State renewable energy mandate: 15% by 2020 • Governor Carcieri: “Spin, baby, spin” • Wind farm developer: Deepwater Wind “Climate Change: adapt, mitigate, or suffer” -Grover Fugate, RI coastal management program director Ocean SAMP Goals 1. Foster a properly functioning ecosystem. 2. Promote and enhance existing uses. 3. Encourage marine-based economic development. 4. Build a framework for coordinated decision-making. Ocean SAMP Timeline August 2008 – October 2010 Step 1: Issue Identification and Assessment Step 2: SAMP Preparation Adoption August 2008 August 2009 October 2010 Step 1: Issue Identification/ Step 2: SAMP Preparation Step 3: Formal Assessment (Aug 2008–July (Aug 2009 – April 2010) Adoption (May 2010 2009) – Oct 2010) • Review boundaries and •Define boundaries, goals and goals • Formal hearings and principles reviews of the draft •Design public process • Develop the objectives SAMP and policies for each •Research ecosystem features zone and SAMP • Adoption of the and uses component SAMP by CRMC •Identify issues/concerns, • Draft SAMP chapters • Submit to federal opportunities agencies for • Identify research gaps approval •Prepare draft ecosystem and use zone maps Ocean SAMP Research Research Topics Include... • Wind resources • Marine mammals and birds • Fisheries uses • Physical oceanography • Ecosystem interactions • Sediment and benthic habitat • Cultural resources • Acoustics and electromagnetic effects • Meteorology • Engineering • Marine transportation uses • Recreation and tourism uses Based on a literature review, most seaducks typically forage in water 5-25 m deep (shown in green 5-20 m (16 - 66’) and pink 20-25 m (66 – 82’). Ocean SAMP Stakeholder Process • Ongoing, intensive process from Day 1 • Regular stakeholder meetings • Focused outreach to key user groups • Extensive public education and outreach • Extensive public review and comment process Stakeholder group: 50 members • Commercial fishermen • Rhode Island towns • Recreational fishermen • Regional planning councils • Recreational boaters • Chambers of commerce • Maritime industry • Tourism councils and groups • Aquaculture industry • Recreational users • Historical preservation organizations • Environmental NGOs • Trade unions • Academics • Energy advocacy groups • Narragansett Indian Tribe • Rhode Island utilities Stakeholder Meetings • Monthly meetings, volunteer facilitator • Researcher Presentations: Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles of BI Sound, RI Sound, and Nearby Waters, Dr. Robert Kenney • Chapter Presentations: Commercial and Fisheries Resources and Uses, D. Beutel, S. Smith, and T. Smythe • General Discussion, Q&A, News, and Updates Ocean SAMP Outcomes: Policies and Regulations • Renewable Energy Zone • Geographic Location Description – federal • State regulations for consistency offshore wind • Area of Mutual Interest – • Areas of Particular MOU with Massachusetts Concern • Fishermen’s Advisory • Areas Designated for Preservation Board • Habitat Advisory Board II. THE BLOCK ISLAND WIND FARM • Five 6 MW turbines (30 MW total) • Power for 17,000 homes • New cable to mainland • $290 million financing • First proposed: 2008 • Permitting completed: 2014 • Construction completed: 2015-2016 • Operational: two days ago! - Dec. 12, 2016 Images and Logo: Deepwater Wind Permitting: Ocean SAMP (CRMC) but many other agencies too! RI State Properties Committee National Historic Preservation Act “All permits” means: • 4 state agencies: CRMC, DEM, DOT, SHPO • 7 federal agencies: BOEM, EPA, FAA, USFWS, NMFS, USACE, USCG • 2 Indian tribes: Narragansett Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe • 2 municipalities: Narragansett, New Shoreham (BI) Images: Deepwater Wind The Opportunity The Block Island Wind Farm is the first step to larger regional projects. III. IN PROGRESS: BUILDING AN OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND OUTREACH PORTFOLIO The CRC Approach to Offshore Wind • BOEM contract – Indicators of Social Science wind farm effects on recreation Research and tourism • Baird Symposium –social research Workshops agenda for offshore wind energy • The Greene School – youth-to-youth Outreach outreach and education Planning and Policy • All of the above! Development 2016-2018: “Identifying Indicators of Offshore Wind Benefits: An Analysis of the Effects of the Block Island Wind Farm on RI Recreation and Tourism Activities” BOEM Project Number M16PC00016 “The Social Dimensions of American Offshore Wind Energy: Towards a Research Agenda” 2016 RI Sea Grant Baird Science Symposium 2016 and onward: Collaboration with The Greene School Thank you! Tiffany Smythe, Ph.D. [email protected] 401.874.6645.