Photo: Mona Makela via Shutterstock
February 11, 2020 (PROVIDENCE, RI) – A Rhode Island Superior Court judge ruled today that the Coastal Resources Management Council was correct to block an expansion of Champlin’s Marina on Block Island. CLF has been involved in the fight to stop the expansion since it was proposed in 2003.
“Today’s decision is a major victory for Block Island,” said Jerry Elmer, CLF Senior Attorney. “The Great Salt Pond is one of the state’s pristine environmental gems, and a huge expansion of the marina would permanently scar it. After almost two decades, this should be the end of the expansion effort.”
The case began in 2003 when Champlin’s Marina filed an application with the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to expand the marina in Block Island’s Great Salt Pond. The expansion was opposed by CLF and other environmental groups, including the Committee for the Great Salt Pond. In January 2011, the CRMC denied the expansion permit to Champlin’s, and Champlin’s appealed to the Superior Court. The court ruled today that the CRMC decision to deny the permit was the correct one.
You can find the decision here.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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