Thanks to everyone who showed up last night for the CRMC hearing to re-consider the previous decision on the sheet pile wall to protect Matunuck Beach Road. At the end of the night, the Council voted to allow the installation of the sheet pile wall to protect a portion of the road west of the Ocean Mist. Article here: http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/05/crmc-votes-on-m.html. See the picture for reference- the wall will go between the existing concrete wall and the road which is a very narrow town-owned right-of-way (I'm not sure about the fate of the Jersey barriers).
Here's the good news. CRMC has presented a more long-term proposal for not just Matunuck but other parts of the state facing similar problems. The Director's proposal, with support from URI and Coastal Resources Center is to a) develop a Special Area Management Plan amendment to create experimental areas to try some techniques such as geo-mattresses; b) perform analysis and work on a strategy that will address the entire shoreline- this involves stakeholder participation and public meetings; and c) enforcement of illegal structures in Matunuck once the experimental designation goes into place. This is a 3 phase proposal based on 3 geographic areas. The Matunuck area would be part of Phase 1 Aug 2012-July 2013. Stay tuned.