NK's Sea Level Rise Program Will Be 'Model' For State

Between the floods of March 2010 and the large-scale hurricanes that have battered New England in recent years, Rhode Island residents have gotten a glimpse into the future of sea level rise in the area.

Parking lots and roads disappeared beneath storm surges while basements and storefronts flooded as water levels rose. According to Teresa Crean of the University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resource Center, these are all indicators of what’s to come as sea levels rise.

North Kingstown is at the forefront of creating a plan to mitigate its impact.

Over the past century, global sea levels have increased by seven inches, threatening low-lying coastal communities. In the Northeast, the water is rising at a faster and more alarming rate. Research shows that New England’s sea level is rising three to four times faster than the global average. From 1970 to 2012, sea level has jumped by six inches in the area. Projections indicate that seal level in Rhode Island will increase by 3 to 5 feet over 1990 levels by 2100, with a potential for one foot of sea level rise by 2050.

“It’s really on your front step,” said Crean.

The town of North Kingstown has begun a partnership with URI’s Coastal Resources Center/Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program to study the effects of sea level rise in town in hopes of creating a plan and policies in anticipation of further sea level rise. North Kingstown was chosen due to its diverse coastline and “savvy” planning department staff.

According to Crean, the program will become a model for other municipalities across the state in planning for sea level rise.

“There are a lot of low-lying areas in North Kingstown that can be impacted by sea level rise,” said North Kingstown Planning Director Jon Reiner, who warned that homes in Wickford could see substantial impacts.

Working with the North Kingstown Planning Department, Crean said the program will first analyze mapping done in 2011 to prioritize public, residential and business assets that are most susceptible to the impacts of sea level rise and storms. Following that, there will be a public input process where members of the community can share their insights and see what progress has been made on the project.

A public event will be held at the North Kingstown Free Library from April 18 to 20, comprised of a public lecture, roundtable meetings and an open house.

Crean says that all the information derived from the study and public input will then be used to help rewrite the town’s comprehensive plan.

“Municipalities need to address this issue now,” said Reiner. “The big push is for us to put together the model plan within our new comprehensive plan, which we will be rewriting within the next few months.”