To the editor:

The Coastal Resources Management Council of RI is incapable of competently and properly following the legal procedures set out in the statutes and regulations of this State, which mandate transparency and following sequential steps in any contested case. 

The CRMC needs a complete overhaul.

On April 13, even after the Attorney General had sent a strongly worded letter reminding the CRMC to follow proper procedure, it took up the Jamestown Boatyard Decision. It confirmed it had no jurisdiction over the matter and then proceeded to address it. It took action to formally approve the draft decision of December 31, 2020, currently pending on appeal before the Superior Court, and noted that the decision was inaccurate. Then the council immediately went into closed session. No public comment was allowed on this issue at the meeting. The minutes of the closed session were sealed.  

The CRMC acts without proper regard for legal procedures and without transparency. It says the Superior Court has jurisdiction, and then goes ahead and takes action anyway. It says its decision in the Jamestown Boatyard case is approved and, at the same time, notes that this decision is inaccurate.  

The Attorney General has expressed his grave concerns with the CRMC procedures. I couldn't agree more.

Sincerely,

Susannah Holloway

Barrington