CRMC chairwoman resigns

PROVIDENCE – The chairwoman of a council of state coastal regulators has resigned amid increasing scrutiny over its decisions and makeup of the appointed body.

In a letter to Gov. Daniel J. McKee on Wednesday and shared with PBN, Jennifer Cervenka offered no explanation for why she was stepping down from her four-year-tenure as head of the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council.

Cervenka also made no mention of the series of controversial decisions the council has made in recent months – among them, an about-face on a prior rejection of a proposed Block Island marina expansion which drew ire from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office and approval of a payment and mitigation plan for local fishermen to offset hazards from a major offshore farm planned for nearby federal waters. Cervenka was one of two council members who voted against the compensation package for South Fork Wind Farm, which was also decried by local fishermen.

Cervenka in her resignation letter praised the CRMC’s staff for its expertise, effectiveness, and “fidelity to the standards and policies of our coastal programs.”

- Advertisement -

“I leave the Council knowing it is doing exactly what it needs to be doing, with strong programs and dedicated staff that will continue to build on the success we have achieved,” Cervenka wrote. 

Cervenka, who works as an environmental lawyer, was appointed chairwoman of the council in 2017 by former Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. Her reappointment for another term this year proved a point of contention because of the council’s decision on the Champlin’s Marina expansion.

A bill passed by the R.I. House of Representatives this year calls for creation of a special commission to study, and make recommendations, on changes to the CRMC structure, including, potentially, the membership of the council. The 10-member council, nine of whom are appointed by the governor, does not require any expertise in environmental science or legal issues, despite the complex nature of many of the group’s decisions. There are also no term limits.

Rep. Deborah Ruggerio, D-Jamestown, who sponsored the bill, told PBN earlier this year she had received more calls and emails from the public on the legislation than any other in her 13-year history as a legislator. 

Ruggerio was careful to avoid making any recommendations for how the council should be restructured, but said a commission-led review was warranted given the breadth and impact of the council’s input over state coastlines.

“They are making important decisions impacting future generations,” she said. 

Topher Hamblett, director of advocacy and policy for Save the Bay, also stressed the need for a review of what he described as outdated regulations.

He named the political nature of the council’s appointments, as well as lack of term limits and expertise as problems given the group’s “sweeping authority to determine the fate of Rhode Island coast.”

Cervenka did not respond to a request for comment on her resignation.