| RAB MEETING MINUTES NAVAL STATION NEWPORT MINUTES
In attendance were John Vitkevich, Kathy Abbass, Mr. John Vitkevich opened the meeting and welcomed the group. He announced that Mr. Edward Moitoza would be relocating to the State of Florida and has recently resigned as a member of the RAB.
There were no changes to the minutes of the March 2003
meeting. Mr. Vitkevich asked for a motion to accept the
minutes, which was seconded and then carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS Presentation by the Education Committee - Kathy Abbass Dr. Kathy Abbass presented a draft introductory training manual for review and comment by the RAB community members. The training manual is compiled of previously published materials. Enclosure (1) is the table of contents presented during the discussion. Dr. Abbass explained that the manual provides maps and
computer graphics and is color-coded to help the reader view
the various Navy sites with the corresponding information. Dr.
Abbass further told the RAB that the manual is a good
introduction for new members so they may learn more about the
IR Program and also serves as a reference guide for continuing
members. Mr. John Vitkevich stated that the manual is a good source of information that could be brought out to the local communities to encourage more community involvement. Dr. Brown asked that copies of the training manual be
included as part of the administrative record at the local
public libraries. He further suggested the training manual be
posted as a link to
www.nsnpt.navy.mil/Environmental/rab_home.htm, the Navy RAB
website address. Dr. David Brown announced there will be a tree planting
ceremony on April 25, 2003, by the City of Newport Tree
Commission and the Rhode Island Tree Council. Dr. Brown
distributed a handout that provided more detailed information
on the event. The tree planting will be performed in
conjunction with Arbor Day and the ceremony is dedicated to
the victims of September 11th. Mr. Emmet Turley presented information on the Providence River Dredging Project. Enclosure (2) is the Project Committee Report and an article on the dredging of the Providence River channel, written by Senator Jack Reed. The article was previously published on May 8, 2000, in the Newport Daily News. Enclosure (3) is an article recently published on April 12, 2003 in the Providence Journal. The article describes the extensive study and research performed to the local waters of the Narragansett Bay by the Army Corps of Engineers. Planning Committee - Thomas McGrath Mr. Thomas McGrath reviewed the Planning Committee schedule for upcoming RAB meetings. The suggested schedule was presented to the RAB during the January 2003 meeting. Membership Committee - Thurston Gray Mr. Thurston Gray stated there are presently 19 community members. There were 10 community members present at the meeting with three active members excused. Mr. Gray announced that the RAB Mission Statement is presently being revised to include the suggested updates presented during the March 2003 RAB meeting. Mr. John Vitkevich stated that the RAB is envisioned to include a total of 20 community members. He further stated that the current RAB membership is being evaluated to distinguish active from inactive members. Mr. Thurston Gray announced that there will be a harvest of eelgrass at Kings Beach on Thursday, May 29, 2003, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Kings Beach is located near Brenton State Park on Ocean Drive in Newport. Mr. Thomas McGrath asked if eelgrass will also be planted at the Kings Beach location. Mr. Gray explained that there will only be a harvest of eelgrass from Kings Beach to be transplanted to other locations. Mr. Gray also announced that the first eelgrass planting will take place on May 31, 2003, at Fogland Cove. A Save the Bay boat will depart at 8:00 a.m. from the Tiverton public boat landing and lunch will be provided.
Dr. David Brown asked that the RAB be given an updated overview presentation by RIDEM in the near future. A presentation by RIDEM is tentatively scheduled for September 2003. Mr. David Dorocz announced that a second open house on the Navy's proposal to construct a golf course will be held in May. The purpose of the open house is to present the results of the Environmental Assessment that was performed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The second open house will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2003, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the J. H. Gaudet Middle School, in Middletown, RI.
The next scheduled meeting of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) will be a site tour, on May 21, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. RAB members should assemble at the main entrance of the Officers' Club to participate in the tour. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Enclosures:
(1) Education Manual 2003 Table of Contents (19 KB) |